Tripod support for a QuickCam (or other webcam)

There are many reasons you may want to put your webcam onto a tripod.  I needed to do this because the stand for my Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 was missing, but it's often nice to use with a tripod for better pictures in general, especially if you're making videos.  Using a little piece of hardware called a coupling nut, connected to the webcam with a screw drilled from within, you can add a tripod connector to your webcam.

Step 1 Parts and tools

This camera is a typical Quickcam.  It has a little attachment on the bottom that snaps into a base - it does not clip onto anything, and the base is about 3 cm high.  It isn't shown here because I have no idea where it is. 

I got a coupling nut that is threaded for 1/4 inch-20, which is the standard size for a tripod attachment, and is an inch long.  I also got a 1/4 inch-20 screw that will fit into it, and it is 3/4 inches in length.  The screw is a countersunk machine screw, and I got a countersunk one because I figured that space is a premium inside the webcam and I could use this type of screw without the head protruding into the body of the 'cam.

 

To open up my webcam, I needed a Phillips-head jeweller's screwdriver, and I needed a drill with a 1/4 inch bit and a larger bit (or a countersink bit) to drill the hole for the screw.  I also needed a vise.  I used Loctite on the screw threads.  A large screwdriver and wrench were needed.

Comments

[olaola]

I have made exactly this setup a while ago but sometimes I miss the feature to attach the webcam to my monitor. Does anyone have an idea for how to make monitor webcam clip for it?

[exabopper]

I actually had another idea on how to solve the webcam mount problem:
www.instructables.com/id/Webcam-mount-for-any-laptop-or-screen-cheap-and-/
maybe this will help you, and if you want you can modify it so that it has a tripod screw for a lightweight camera.

[exabopper]

I would try making a tennis-ball tripod like this:
www.instructables.com/id/Tennis-Ball-Tripod/
and cut the ball so that it has 4 legs to the tripod instead of three, and cut it in such a way that the legs of the "tripod" are exactly the same as the thickness of the monitor, so that it will slip over the monitor instead of resting on top.

[olaola]

Ah! Nice! I'll give it a go.

Thanks a lot!

[exabopper]

I did nothing, young padawan.  The power was within you from the start