Topic: How to make your own Camcorder Roll Cage Mount for $5.37
Hey guys,
So after ordering 2 camcorder mounts for $40 a piece that neither of them came with the standard 1/4" x 1-1/2" tripod screw mount, I returned both and said screw it.... I'm gonna build my own out of PVC pipe. I got the idea from a youtube video I found of another guy trying to build a similar camera mount. I bought all my crap from the Home Depot for a grand total of $5.37
Essentially this is what you need:
A 1-1/4" PVC T fitting pipe
A 1-1/4" to 1/2" Bushing - (Should be smooth on the outside, and threaded at 1/2" on the inside)
A 1/2" Riser Extender (Threaded both ends, 1 male, 1 female both half 1/2" threading) - This piece is optional, or you may opt for some 1/2" 90 Degree Elbows depending on where you want your camera mounted.
A 1/2" PVC Plug
A couple of 2" Hose Clamps (I'm sure you probably have a plethora of these laying around your garage somewhere if you're building a Lemon)
Some 1/4"-20 x 1-1/2" Machine Screws (I picked up a packet of 4 which contains 4 bolts and 4 nuts) - *Note* This should screw right into the bottom of your tripod acceptable camera / camcorder. Bring your camera just in case.
Zip ties for tethering
Ok so now that the parts list is taken care of........ here's the instructions:
1. Take your T-Fitting and flip it so that when your're holding it, it looks like a "T." You're going to want to cut that pipe with a Jigsaw, or a saw or your teeth or whatever... straight from left to right, leaving the bottom portion of the T in tact. Essentially what you're trying to do is here, is that instead of having a full pipe, we're going to make into a half pipe (or C shape) so that when you put it on your rollcage, it sits there, and you clamp it in place with those 2" Hose ring clamps.
Ok ya with me so far?
2. Take your 1/4" to 1/2" bushing and using a hammper hammer it down into the still fully intact bottom section of the T pipe so that it's nice and flush.
3. Take your 1/2" Riser Extender, and Screw that bad boy into the bushing you just pressed in. Drill 2 holes through the side of the side of the riser to get some zip ties in there
4. Take your 1/2" Plug.... Drill a hole through the bottom that's big enough to put your bolt through.
5. Take your bolt and thread one of the nuts on there. Then slide it through the hole, and put another nut on there. You may want to adjust the positioning of the 2 nuts in such a way that you only have a small portion of the bolt end that's going to screw into your camera sticking through the top, so that you don't over thread it.
6. Screw in your 1/2" plug into your 1/2" riser extender.
7. Pick a spot on your cage to mount this, and then take your 2 2" Hose clamps, and use them to attach it to the cage.
Congratulations, you just completed this project. Drink a beer.
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