· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio I made a Tripod Spreader for my Surveyor's Tripod.       #5658537 - 02/02/13 05:17 PM Attachment (49 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I've wanted a tripod spreader for my surveyor's tripod for some time now. So I figured why not attempt to make my own. I found a similar discussion on CN and a link to CNer orlyandico (Orlando)'s homemade tripod spreader. Here's a link to his setup: Here So I built something similar to what he has. I used 1 1/2in door hinges and 1 1/2 in by 1/8 in thick steel for the actual spreader. I cut the pieces of steel at 10in length. After some cutting, drilling, cussing, figuring stuff out, and with help from my dad I have a new tripod spreader. It works great and looks decent as well. Th next thing I'll do is add a wooden eyepiece tray to the spreader and bolts instead of screws where the hinges connect into the tripod. Edited by zjc26138 (02/02/13 07:09 PM) Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5658538 - 02/02/13 05:17 PM Attachment (41 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Closer: Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5658539 - 02/02/13 05:17 PM Attachment (36 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Even Closer: Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5658543 - 02/02/13 05:17 PM Attachment (33 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Even more closer: Post Extras:       crazyqban Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/16/08 Loc: Miami, Florida Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5658746 - 02/02/13 07:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   WOW, looks excellent!!! Good job. Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: crazyqban]       #5658761 - 02/02/13 07:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Sergio! Post Extras:       orlyandico Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/10/09 Loc: Singapore Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5659061 - 02/02/13 10:49 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   wow looks better than mine i have a bit of a problem with mine though, in that it won't fold properly; the bolts interfere. from your photos your bolts are much beefier and i suspect you have the same issue... one difference i've noticed is that your steel spreader pieces are narrower than mine. hence they will resist side-to-side movement less effectively... which means, when you add the tripod spreader, your rigidity will increase by a huge amount. make sure there is clearance in the tray for the bolts in the middle easiest solution is to have a circular hole in the middle of the spreader tray.. Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: orlyandico]       #5659112 - 02/02/13 11:24 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks! For 25.00 its pretty good. Yep my legs won't fold up all they way either. Not to big of an issue until I need to put the tripod in my car.When that happens I'll loosen the bolts all the way, so the tripod can collapse. Yeah I plan to mount the eyepiece tray with a bolt through the middle as well as bolts at the edges of the tray through the steel bars. I'll probably do this during the next week or so. Post Extras:       Astronewb sage Reged: 09/19/11 Loc: Connecticut Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5659548 - 02/03/13 09:07 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Great job with readily available components. Thanks for sharing the idea and details. Same to Orly..... Best Paul Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: Astronewb]       #5659737 - 02/03/13 11:05 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Paul! Post Extras:       Bart Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/28/06 Loc: Somewhere near Charlottesville... Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5659775 - 02/03/13 11:24 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If the bolts next to the legs were pointing up, it would close tighter.... Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: Bart]       #5659853 - 02/03/13 12:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The steel bars fold up. What stops them from folding completely is the bolt heads hitting the tripod. Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5660104 - 02/03/13 02:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I just cut out the eyepeice holder. It's 10im diameter. Should be able to hold two 2" eyepieces and two-three 1.25" eyepieces. Which is plenty as this is my grab and go mount and I usually bring 2-3 eyepeice with me. Tomorrow I'll buy some bolts, make the cuts for the eyepieces, and stain the wood. Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5661859 - 02/04/13 02:06 PM Attachment (21 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Almost done with the eyepiece holder. It's not perfect, but sure helps stiffen the spreader. I need to fill in a couple holes with wood filler, sand the entire thing, and then a couple coats of stain and will be ready to go. Edited by zjc26138 (02/04/13 02:06 PM) Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5662086 - 02/04/13 04:32 PM Attachment (12 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Eyepiece holder after many coats of stain. I still need to stain the bottom side. That will happen later tonight or tomorrow. Post Extras:       orlyandico Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/10/09 Loc: Singapore Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5662356 - 02/04/13 07:35 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   How'd you handle the bolts sticking out of the middle of the metal spreader? there is a relieved area under the EP holder? Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: orlyandico]       #5662362 - 02/04/13 07:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   There is no relieved area, though that is a good suggestion. They rest on the wood with no problem as far as I can tell. If I notice any strain once the bolts holding the tray are locked down, then I'll adjust the tray. I'll make a relieved area like you suggested. Post Extras:       orlyandico Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/10/09 Loc: Singapore Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5662450 - 02/04/13 08:32 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   without a relieved area, the tray is "sitting" on top of those bolts and so not flush against the metal strips. so it is less rigid than it could be... I ended up with a similar solution on mine (plastic EP tray) so the rigidity is not ideal. I should look at making a plywood tray like yours as well, once I start using my tripod more. Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: orlyandico]       #5662463 - 02/04/13 08:42 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yes you right. I might use my dremel and cut out an area for the bolts tomorrow. Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Homemade Tripod Spreader for Surveyor's Tripod. [Re: zjc26138]       #5664364 - 02/05/13 09:40 PM Attachment (10 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Eyepiece holder after final coat of polyurethane. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 36 registered and 33 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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