If you wanted something making - metal wise - where would you go?

cymruchris

cymruchris

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Chris
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I'm looking for something - I know what it is.. I know what it looks like.. I know the dimensions.. but it's something that doesn't actually exist..

Does anyone here work in any kind of metal 'item' production facility - or could point me in the right direction..

The closest item name that I can find is something called a parallel pin.. but with an internal tripod thread..

It would be a tubular shaped item - 48mm Long, Diameter 12.5mm with a 15mm tripod thread going up inside from the base.

It would look like this:

Picture

Does anyone have any ideas as to where I might get one produced?

It's for mounting a steadicam unit to a plastic shoulder mounted camera support...

The particular item I need this guy has already made one - you can see it at 1 min and 40 seconds into the video:

Steadicam video
 
A local machine shop should be able to knock up one of those in a lunch hour, not a difficult job. If you could source the raw material beforehand it might make their job easier. Anywhere with a metal working lathe.
 
I just got the catalogue for SRB-griturn; www.srb-griturn. If you can't get it local to you, these guys do one-offs. Dunstable-based. Might be worth a look?:shrug:
 
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Try your local school with a metalwork shop. One of the students would be able to nock one up as a project
 
Is it made from offcuts from the Tardis?

Anyway, I'd just make my own using a tap&die set or an existing tripod-fitting-fitting and some epoxy ...
 
Personally I'd do it myself, but if it's really challenging, then I would go to an engineering firm, to have it made :)
 
2blue4u said:
There's clever, boyo. ;). :shrug:
Click to expand...

Considering tripod threads are 1/4" so just over 6mm I don't see a problem. Even if it was 3/8" it would only be just over 9mm. I think the dimensions for the product are wrong too as the rod needs a diameter of 15mm to work with industry standard shoulder rigs

Jake
 
I'd go out into my garage... :)

I *think* I have a tap for tripod threads (I know I have a die). If I do I'd be happy to knock one of these up for you. Yes I do - just checked.

What material were you thinking of?
 
I can do it (amateur machine shop in my garage). The one in the video looked like brass; can it be ali? Easier to machine and I've got some!
 
also if you get stuck I can get them done for you.


Throw me a PM if you want
 
I'm on it; I'll pick up some half inch bar tomorrow (smallest I've got is 1.25" at the moment). Does anyone know the pitch on the 1/4" tripod thread?

Is that 3 required in total then?
 
BigDex said:
I'm on it; I'll pick up some half inch bar tomorrow (smallest I've got is 1.25" at the moment). Does anyone know the pitch on the 1/4" tripod thread?

Is that 3 required in total then?
Click to expand...

Thread is 1/4" Whitworth 20tpi for camera tripod fitting
 
BigDex said:
I'm on it; I'll pick up some half inch bar tomorrow (smallest I've got is 1.25" at the moment). Does anyone know the pitch on the 1/4" tripod thread?

Is that 3 required in total then?
Click to expand...

I think 3 is right, just wanted to check the dimensions though. For a shoulder rig it would need to be 15mm diameter (Industry Standard) about 2" long and then the tripod thread that is 1/4"-20. If these aren't the dimensions OP is after just make his. However I think this is the required sizes :thumbs:
 
huffy said:
Thread is 1/4" Whitworth 20tpi for camera tripod fitting
Click to expand...

¼ unc will fit fine the dimensions are so close to ¼whit it make no difference

Have you tried an engineering suppler it looks pretty close to a standard extractable dowel
 
Some really good info here - and didn't expect so many responses... And it looks like I'm not the only one that wants one :) Where do I start...
 
jezgb said:
I'd go out into my garage... :)

I *think* I have a tap for tripod threads (I know I have a die). If I do I'd be happy to knock one of these up for you. Yes I do - just checked.

What material were you thinking of?
Click to expand...

The one in the video appears to be brass? I'm looking for something that would take the weight of the steadicam, a 5d2 and a 50mm lens.. I'm sure other materials would also be suitable... Interestingly the one in the video has a lip at the bottom, which I'm guessing makes it steadier on the tripod plate...
 
BigDex said:
I can do it (amateur machine shop in my garage). The one in the video looked like brass; can it be ali? Easier to machine and I've got some!
Click to expand...

Not sure? Would it be strong enough to take the weight do you think?

I guess it's about 2kg balancing on top?
 
jacob12_1993 said:
I think 3 is right, just wanted to check the dimensions though. For a shoulder rig it would need to be 15mm diameter (Industry Standard) about 2" long and then the tripod thread that is 1/4"-20. If these aren't the dimensions OP is after just make his. However I think this is the required sizes :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I'm going by the sizes quoted in the comments below the video itself... let me check the width and depth of the hole in the bottom of this steadicam unit...
 
Not sure I'd trust my kit to a thread in aluminium personally. Especially if the thread is used a lot. Not without a helicoil being fitted, anyway. (I don't have 1/4 BSW helicoils).

Brass would be better, stainless steel best IMHO...
 
Sorry it took me a while to get around to measuring - but I'd say the above measurements are pretty much spot on...

The one in the video I guess was the above dimension - but had an extra wide part at the base which I'm guessing was for added stability when screwed to the plate... So the insert bit was 48mm Long, Diameter 12.5mm. I'd then guess the video one probably had an extra 5-10mm of 'base' that was wider.

From those that offered assistance here - is this something you think possible? :) Or would it be a straight piece we'd be looking at without the extra 'bulge' at the bottom?
 
Steadicam-Part.jpg


Would this be the kind of thing? Open to discussion in terms of the base part - whether it's needed or not?
 
If I've got that tap that size (need to check) then it's no problem to make you one from ali. If no tap, then I can do all but thread it! If you want to buy me a suitable tap, I can do that bit too. If you want it in a material other than ali (preferably not stainless, it's a b@stard to work with) then I'd need a bit of brass bar (20mm or inch).

You could buy the bar on ebay and have it posted direct to me.

Cost of my time? Nothing.
 
Hi Rick - thanks for your response, a great offer.. I couldn't ask you to do it for nothing though!! Just thought I'd ask everyone else that replied - Out of interest did anyone else that voiced an interest in getting one still want one? Or am I the only one for now?
 
I have the right tap, and can work any material.

Like Rick - get me the material and I can do it gratis (assuming there are only maybe half a dozen max!). Should only take a few minutes each...
 
Another great offer - Thanks Jez :)

Just interested to see if those other people wanted something or whether it's just me..
 
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