Tripod Socket Size

[BrianShaw]

How big is the bottom of the camera, or the flange?

[T.G.]

Bottom of camera will be 15" x 14". The flange will be about 5 1/4" diameter. Yes, I imagine the lathe will do the shaping of the flange and extending post that will be then be tapped to 3/8" x 16. The only hole that will be drilled though camera base will be the 5/8" for the post to extend in, the rest of the flange will just surface mount. Think Deardorff.
Thanks all for the help and thoughts. Ty

[Leigh]

The only hole that will be drilled though camera base will be the 5/8" for the post to extend in...

That 5/8" post is WAY too small for a camera that size. It only gives you a 1/8" wall around the major diameter of the threaded hole.

I would go at least 1" through for the post.

What material are you using for the flange?
Try alloy 954 aluminum-bronze. It's a beautiful bright yellow. It won't tarnish like brass will. Surface finish with standard tooling is gorgeous.
And it's extremely strong. It's bearing-grade bronze used for high-strength high-wear applications. Available from McMaster-Carr www.mcmaster.com

If I sound like a cheerleader for 954, it's because I am. It's the only 'yellow' metal I stock and use; no brass and no other bronze.

- Leigh

[T.G.]

Ok, thanks, I'll increase that measurement. Bringing to the machinist tomorrow. Could I meet in the middle and do 3/4"? The Deardorff example I have in front of me has a 1/2" post for the 1/4" threaded hole.
Material is most likely going to be just basic aluminum (6061), same as all the other parts. The other parts will be anodized. My Deardorff one here is aluminum as well.

[Leigh]

Yeah, 3/4" would probably be strong enough. That's a large camera, so it doesn't hurt to make the support on the robust side.

The 6061 aluminum will work, but it might be better to use alloy 7075 for the flange (I don't know the thickness). It's much stronger.
For that matter you might consider 7075 for the whole camera. 6061 is pretty weak, particularly for a camera this big.

Is your Deardorff a 20x24 format?
The torque on the tripod socket is very much a function of format size. I think yours is at least three times larger than the Deardorff.

- Leigh

[T.G.]

Nope, an 8x10. And it looks just the same size as the ones they are selling as replacements on their site now.

[Peter Spangenberg]

Why not just use the Deardorff solution? Here's a link to a Barry Cochran Deardorff converter (I have no affiliation with the seller).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Deardorff-3-...#ht_500wt_1162