Question for the group,I have a tripod that has seen better days. Has anyone attempted to build their own tripod and how did it turn out?
Thanks Bill
Question for the group,I have a tripod that has seen better days. Has anyone attempted to build their own tripod and how did it turn out?
Thanks Bill
I've built several. Wood and Telescoping tubing. I really like wood. Fewer vibrations. I needed one that was at least 12 foot tall and I incorporated a ladder on one side. Now I can go to menards and get a tripod deer blind for 150.00. Looks the same. The biggest issue I see is getting clear Maple in 6 foot lengths. I sold mine and want another one. I went to a lumber store and the wood was crap. Knotty as all get out.
Do you have access to someone who can cast alum?
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Yep, built two ULF tripods.
Negative on cast aluminum. However I have found a great source for long lengths of hardwoods. Check out the custom stairs manufacturers I pick up 10 - 14 foot lengths That have a knot in the middle making it unusable for them. Best part is they THANK me for taking it because other wise it goes into the dumpster!!$$$$most of what I get is oak but every once in a while their are other hardwoods. another great source are the local custom cabinet shops. (My other mid life crisis is making furniture!)
Hello from France !
Has anyone attempted to build their own tripod and how did it turn out?
Not me, but a LF-friend of mine, Marcel Couturier, has fabricated several wooden tripods. He is a professional carpenter. He uses ash tree wood exactly like for Berlabach tripods.
An idea of those tripods here, presented at our recent friendly LF meeting in the Jura on May 1-st, 2011 Note the nice wooden levelling head on some models.
Marcel Couturier tells Henri Gaud about his tripods
Not tripods, but Marcel's wooden rack & organiser inside his back pack
How thick can a water jet cut? Might be an option beside casting aluminum.
Hi Bill,
One option utilizes wood or aluminum crutches and a web search will
give you some information on specific designs--these are used also
by amateur astronomers.
Warren Clark
I have built one tripod and one tilting head. It works great. Not pretty, but highly functional. The legs were made of 1x2 pine, and the head was made from 1/2" plywood and pieces of 1x pine, with bits of bend aluminum for pivots, and the requisite nuts, bolts and screws to hold it together.
I am working on the second generation in my mind. The overall structure will be mostly the same but I want to refine the details, including the metal hardware and using walnut, most likely.
Can't say I would unless time was not a problem. I have a telescoping ash tripod with an aluminum column plus the huge Manfrotto head I would part with cheap.
Reis is still my favorite.
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