Selfie Stick Counterweight - Works As a Gimbal

A decent selfie stick can also double as a simple and surprisingly effective, especially when it comes to 360 cameras. The idea is to move the center of gravity as low as possible, preventing the camera from swaying and rocking. If your camera already has built-in stabilizing, this makes for smoother final video. If there's no stabilization, the difference is amazing.

It's a simple build and you can make the counterweight as heavy as you want - but remember the stick has to be light enough to hold comfortably. You can use washers as the weights, large nuts, etc. I prefer washers because you can get a lot of weight into a smaller space. Alternately a brass or lead block will also work, but you'll need to tap in a male thread, as pretty much every better selfie stick has a 1/4-20" tripod hole in the base.

Why a selfie stick? Expandable and portable. You'll note in the photo that the selfie stick is more heavy duty with locking sections.

I actually completed my weight when I decided to make this instructable, so I'm describing the steps I took. I've actually made almost a dozen of these - a few for myself and some for friends. Since they are so popular I thought others would like to try it for themselves.

Step 1:

This tutorial is based on using washers. You can use fender washers and just run a 1/4-20 bolt through the center. This can get you a lot of weight. I had a big box of washers lying around and did not feel like spending anu more money - I try and do these with stuff lying around the garage. I used a 1/4-20" coupler (available in various lengths and thicknesses - see photo) with a short bolt and smaller washer on one side, then stacked large washers around the coupler. You'll want to use some type of thread-lock, super glue or epoxy on the threads.

What I did was mix up about 1 CC of 5 minute epoxy, coat the threads and insert them. Then I coated the washers and coupler and stacked the washers. Made sure it was all straight and let cure. The end result is a rock solid weight.

You may want to do a dry fit first and see how it balances your camera. The one I made for my camera used 24, 1 1/4" wide galvanized washers!

Step 2: Finish With Tool Dip / Plastic Dip

Tool dip is a colored rubber product designed for dipping tool handles. I use black, but you can get red, yellow and blue as well. There are various makes of the product. Before you dip, make sure the threads are free of epoxy by test threading a nut. If it binds, thread it on and off a couple of times.

Dip, move around to eliminate bubbles, pull out, move around again to eliminate as much excess as possible and let it run/drip back into the container. Hang to dry. I use a clamp and coat-hanger because it self-levels. It WILL still drip. Repeat until you're satisfied with the finish. I use three coats. You can also put a nut on the end and wrap a string around it, then hang from the string.

I leave a little excess threaded length on my weight. In case I drop it on the threads I can cut off the damaged section. Been there, done that.