Projector Ceiling Mount for Hitachi Dukane

This is a projector mount for hanging a projector from the ceiling.  I got a projector for Christmas, and I wanted to hang it from my ceiling, but the mounts are so expensive.  So, I built this one after a trip to Home Depot for about $20.  This mount is very sturdy (maybe even overkill for this small projector), and once it's on the ceiling, you can adjust tilt of the projector.

These instructions are for a Hitachi Dukane projector, but could be easily modified to fit any other projector.

Materials Needed:
Hitachi Dukane projector (model #: CP-X345)
Aluminum strip (3/4" x 1/8" x 48")
Galvanized Steel 6" Nipple (1/2" x 6")
2 1/2" Galvanized Iron Floor Flange
4 4mm Flat Washers
3 4mm-.7 x 25mm Machine Screws
2 1/2" Nylon Spacers (3/8" OD x .171" ID)
2 4mm-.7 Hex Nuts
3 #10-24 x 3/4" Flat Head Machine Screws (matching nuts should come with these)

Optional Materials:
Flat Black Spray Paint
Steel Wool

Tools Needed:
Drill (with various bits)
Hack Saw
Phillips Screwdriver
Slot Screwdriver
3/8 Wrench

Optional Tools:
Vice
Flat Metal File

Step 1: Getting Started

Drill one hole near the end of the aluminum strip.  The hole should be just big enough for the threads of the 4mm screw to slide through.  Put a 4mm screw through the hole and screw it into one of the three holes on the bottom of the projector. 

Step 2: Drilling Second Hole

Using the first screw as a pivot to rotate the aluminum strip, mark where to drill the second hole.  I found it helpful to hold the marker directly over the projector's screw hole, then rotate the aluminum strip into place below the marker.

Drill a hole on the spot you marked.  Draw a line on the aluminum, about 1/2" from the hole you drilled.  Use the saw to cut the strip along the line (this is where the vice comes in handy).

Step 3: Attaching the Flange

Place a 4mm screw through each of the two holes that you've drilled.  Then place a nylon spacer on each screw and screw it all into the projector.

Place the flange on top of the aluminum strip so that the flange is centered on the projector and the aluminum strip is visible through two of the flange's holes.  Then, mark the aluminum strip at the center of the two holes.  Drill a hole through each of these two marks.

Detach the strip from the projector.  Place two #10 screws through the flange holes and their corresponding the holes on the strip.  Tighten a nut onto each screw.

Step 4: Drilling the Third Hole

With the remainder of the aluminum strip, drill a hole near the end, similar to Step 1.  Put a #10 screw through the flange and through the hole you just drilled.  Tighten the screw with a nut.

Use the #10 screw as a pivot to mark where to drill the third hole, similar to Step 2.  Drill the third hole as marked.

Draw a line on the aluminum strip about 1/2" from this third hole.  Use the saw to cut along this line.

Step 5: Shaping and Painting

Place the two aluminum strips in the vice, one at a time, and use the file to shape the corners into rounded ends.

Use steel wool to brush the surfaces of the two aluminum pieces, the galvanized nipple, and the floor flanges.  Spray each of these parts with several (3-5) light coats of black paint. 

Step 6: Assembly

Once all the paint has completely dried, attach the two aluminum pieces to the flange, but do not tighten the nuts yet.

Place two screws with washers through the first two screw holes with a nylon spacer on each.

Put the third screw through the aluminum, then through a 4mm hex nut, then into the projector.  This nut can be used to adjust the tilt of the projector once it's on the ceiling.

Screw the nipple onto the flange.

Attach the remaining flange to the ceiling.

Finally, place the threads of the 6" nipple into the ceiling flange, and rotate the entire assembly to screw it in.