Recycle a dead tennis ball into a pocket camera tripod.
Get sharp photos using a wall, fence, tree branch, door, car hood, bamboo pole, or a signpost.
Velcro, bungee or hang from a suction cup with the optional mounting holes.
Get sharp photos using a wall, fence, tree branch, door, car hood, bamboo pole, or a signpost.
Velcro, bungee or hang from a suction cup with the optional mounting holes.
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Signing UpStep 1: Mark and Cut
Cut the ball in half with an kitchen scissors, a craft knife, or even a kitchen knife.
Wear good safety goggles. Blades can slip or snap.
Mark three tripod feet on the edge of the ball with a pen or pencil.
Each flat foot is about 3/4 inch (18mm) wide.
There should be about 2 inches (50mm) between the edges of the feet.
Cut arches between the feet to make the basic tripod shape. Arch size and shape are not important.
Cut a 3/4 inch hole in the top of the ball.
Optional step: cut a side slit in the top hole for more tilt.
Optional step: make bungee cord holes above each foot.
Scroll down below the photo and click the other pictures for this step.
Wear good safety goggles. Blades can slip or snap.
Mark three tripod feet on the edge of the ball with a pen or pencil.
Each flat foot is about 3/4 inch (18mm) wide.
There should be about 2 inches (50mm) between the edges of the feet.
Cut arches between the feet to make the basic tripod shape. Arch size and shape are not important.
Cut a 3/4 inch hole in the top of the ball.
Optional step: cut a side slit in the top hole for more tilt.
Optional step: make bungee cord holes above each foot.
Scroll down below the photo and click the other pictures for this step.
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softenersreviews
says:
Mar 2, 2013. 3:42 AMReply
So simple and clever!
16
Toga_Dan
says:
Jul 26, 2012. 7:52 AMReply
Cool idea. This is about as small, lightweight and simple as possible.
16
Toga_Dan
says:
Jul 26, 2012. 7:52 AMReply
Cool idea. This is about as small, lightweight and simple as possible.
5
SBDFFLS
says:
Jul 18, 2012. 12:37 PMReply
For this tri-pod us there a way to make it adaptable for an iPod touch
38
projectsugru
says:
Jun 22, 2011. 8:20 AMReplythat's an awesome creation :)
c ssgt seifer
says:
Mar 8, 2009. 4:59 PMReply
This is nice for people like me who don't want to spend money, and need a small tripod for sporting events.
3
alexw2150
in reply to Nov 9, 2010. 12:03 PMReplyLike Wimbledon.
1
Mrducttapestuff
says:
Oct 26, 2010. 6:51 PMReply
wow...simple and cheap!
insructoperson
says:
Sep 4, 2010. 8:13 PMReply
I can't seem to cut the tennis ball and I have the same scissors as you
robotmastern
says:
Mar 12, 2010. 12:25 PMReply
actualy 1/4-20 is the standard size. so you could use aluminum.
8
jamiec53
says:
Nov 2, 2009. 8:55 AMReply
Awesome idea! Nice Instructable :)
1
BigMac96
says:
Sep 25, 2009. 2:59 PMReply
Absolutely Amazing! I used a longer bolt and a washer and a nut on both sides so I can adjust the height. 5-Stars!
5
IW5 Industries
says:
Sep 7, 2008. 3:41 PMReply
ive got the same pair of scissors, and nice camera :D
1
Gamernotnerd
says:
Mar 31, 2008. 11:04 PMReply
I have the same camera (largan)
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Apr 1, 2008. 6:44 AMReplyYou have one too? This little Largan camera is a great webcam. And with the macro feature it takes good instructables photos. Good for taking MemEx photos when you see something cool you want to remember, isn't it? I have to hold my finger partially over the flash for macro shots to keep them from washing out though :)
1
Gamernotnerd
in reply to Apr 3, 2008. 10:35 AMReply
Ya I love the USB to AV cable
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Apr 3, 2008. 12:45 PMReplyThe AV cable is awesome. The only thing that would make it perfect is if it were driver-less. Kind of like a USB flash drive. Newer small cameras just plug in without drivers. And now http://www.largan.com is gone :(
1
Gamernotnerd
in reply to Apr 5, 2008. 7:33 PMReply
Well there is always archive.org http://web.archive.org/web/20070630015741/http://www.largan.com/
chg4
says:
Apr 3, 2008. 2:37 PMReply
I have that silver largan too
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Apr 3, 2008. 3:00 PMReplyLargan is like Timex -- man I carry that in my pocket w/ no case, runs like forever on reg. batteries. Also cool is that y. can turn off the beep for "spy" photos.
chg4
in reply to Apr 3, 2008. 3:19 PMReply
SPY OPTION?????? DO TELL!
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Apr 3, 2008. 4:48 PMReplyGlad to help. On my Largan, with the power off, I hold down the top grey button in back and press the red power button. Now the bell icon in the LCD display will be marked off. The camera will not beep for this session. Darn useful to know ;)
dragonslaver99
says:
Apr 3, 2008. 1:17 PMReply
awsome i am voting for you:)
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Apr 3, 2008. 2:57 PMReplyhey thanks, way cool ginormous reptile in yer photo!
5
TeacherOfTheWays
says:
Mar 14, 2008. 8:01 PMReply
+1 great job!
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Mar 15, 2008. 8:06 AMReplyThanks -- I liked your skateboard video and rated it +1 for good teaching skills. I learned a lot.
17
guyfrom7up
says:
Mar 14, 2008. 8:38 PMReply
huh, I could of swore I saw this somewhere else when I was trying to make a camcorder holder, eh good job anyways
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Mar 15, 2008. 7:24 AMReplyYou did see it all over photo blogs and web sites when I first posted it last year. All of them link back to instructables. Due to popular demand, I reposted it. Thanks for your kind words.
Notbob
says:
Mar 14, 2008. 9:26 AMReply
ingenious and original! +1
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Mar 14, 2008. 3:59 PMReplyThanks Notbob -- I hope other instructabuilders will modify and improve on it and post their ideas too.
30
GorillazMiko
says:
Mar 13, 2008. 4:05 PMReplyAwesome! Great job on the Instructable! I might try this out soon, so great job! +1 rating. (added to favorites)
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Mar 13, 2008. 7:21 PMReplyHey GorillazMiko, always glad to hear from you. You can make this in 15 minutes or less and it really works for small cameras. See my changes about adding holes for bungee cord hooks so you can strap it onto chairs, bikes, trees, posts and railings :)
1
cgel1015
says:
Mar 13, 2008. 6:06 PMReply
(removed by author or community request)
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Mar 13, 2008. 7:20 PMReplyIt takes longer to read the instructable than to make one. You should try it. Thanks for the rating!
43
Brennn10
says:
Mar 13, 2008. 4:55 PMReply
This will definitely turn some heads! Nice job!
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Mar 13, 2008. 7:19 PMReplyThank you. This gets a lot of comments wherever I use it. It makes me wish tennis balls were dull gray like when I was a kid :)
8
ultrauber
says:
Mar 13, 2008. 6:35 PMReply
good idea! i love it. the only down fall is that you can't really point it up and down. +1 rating.
29
iectyx3c (author)
in reply to Mar 13, 2008. 7:18 PMReplyThanks! You are right about the tilting. I forgot to mention that I have since added holes to let me use a bungee cord to strap this to chairs, bikes, poles, trees and then of course you can tilt it much more. You can also cut a keyhole shape in the base which allows you lots of tilt. Plenty of room for changes to this basic design. I hope readers will point out improvements they have thought of.
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