13 replies to this topic

[Jdillon]

Has anyone managed to mount the Rowan AZ100 on a T-Pod tripod?

 

I just got an AZ100 - beautiful piece of work - but it requires an adapter with an M12 bolt to secure it to the tripod. My T-Pod 130 came with a 3/8" bolt adapter for a T-Rex. Avalon makes an adapter for a CGEM which apparently also uses an M12 bolt. From the pictures on Avalon's site it isn't clear that this adapter will work but in any case I can't find one in stock anywhere. I ordered one from OPT that was listed as "in stock" but after several phone calls and emails I found out they didn't really have one. Nor did the other US and Canadian retailers Avalon listed. I emailed Avalon but it seems they don't ship a small item like that internationally.

 

I've been in discussions with Rowan and we haven't yet figured out a solution. The T-Pod is a popular tripod and the AZ100 is growing in popularity too so I thought someone else must have encountered this same problem.

 

Anyone?

[nicknacknock]

Get one of the “pucks” for the Avalon and then go to your local DIY store and get a screw that is M12 - the butterfly type. Then use a drill / get someone to drill the puck to allow the M12 butterfly screw to go through the puck and screw on the AZ mount. I did this kind of mod with my T-Pod 90.

[hoes]

Hi - 

 

I purchased this large washer for McMastercarr -    https://www.mcmaster.com/93550A130/

 

 

  That I put under the AZ100 to allow it to sit on a flat tripod head.

 

Then attached a piece of plywood underneath the tpod head - though which I drilled a hole for the m12 bolt....

 

YMMV.

 

Steve

Edited by hoes, 01 February 2021 - 12:58 PM.

[swsantos]

 I emailed Avalon but it seems they don't ship a small item like that internationally.

 

Maybe Avalon would send one to Rowan (it's international but not intercontinental > hard to believe they wouldn't ship a small item out of their country more likely they won't ship a small item overseas) and they could forward it to you under these circumstances?

 

Maybe ADM could make something for you Anthony has made me similar items in the past including a riser for my TPOD 130. Maybe a riser or puck with 3/8" female on the bottom and 12mm male on the top? If so there would be a market for it to others I am sure so he might be interested.

Edited by swsantos, 01 February 2021 - 02:37 PM.

[Jdillon]

Thanks, 3 good suggestions.

 

I just looked again at the Avalon "puck" through which the 3/8 bolt slides and discovered that the bottom 1/2" of the hole is actually threaded for M12!  Since 3/8 bolt slides through this unimpeded it must have been designed originally for another purpose. But I can't use those threads to tighten the AZ100 since once an M12 bolt passes through those threads to the threads in the base of the AZ100 there can be no more cinching. The puck threads and the AZ100 threads will stay the same distance apart and never cinch any tighter. It looks like the solution is to drill out the M12 threads in the puck and slide an M12 bolt up to engage the threads of the AZ100. There is a metal collar around the original Avalon 3/8 bolt adapter which will serve to anchor the new bolt against the bottom of the T-Pod and allow the bolt to pull the AZ100 tight against the top of the puck. That's my theory anyway.

 

The AZ100 is likely to be more common. I think Avalon may want to design a proper adapter for it.

[Jdillon]

I just realized why the puck was designed with M12 threads at the bottom. The 3/8 bolt has a M12 threaded section in its middle. This keeps it captive so it doesn't fall off when it is unscrewed from the mount above!

 

An M12 bolt with threads only at the top 1/2" or so and with threads shaved off below that would engage the bottom of the AZ100, be free to tighten against the bottom of the T-Pod, and also be captive.

 

Just need to find someone to machine such a knob-headed M12 bolt of the proper length.

 

Avalon, are you listening?

[Jdillon]

To conclude this mini-adventure - I did as Nick suggested. I drilled out the M12 threads on the puck then used a hex-head M12 bolt of sufficient length to thread up into the AZ100.

 

And for an extra bit of grip I put a 2.75" neoprene washer between the AZ100 and T-Pod top.

It's securely seated now and waiting for clear skies.

 

Now where to find a knob-head M12 bolt so I don't have to fumble with wrenches in the dark.

[swsantos]

https://www.mcmaster...tainless-steel/

[Xeroid]

uxcell Clamping Handle Gripandles Screw Knobs Handgrips M12 Threaded Star

 

Use a 12mm nut on both sides of knob to secure it.

[Jdillon]

Thanks to all - I'm all set now.

 

Waiting on skies to clear to take my AZ100 out for a spin.

[Ronnie Miller]

To mount my AZ100 to my T-pod 130 I chose to modify a stainless-steel knob assembly from McMaster-Carr. Using a 12M assembly I carefully removed only the threads about 3/4"on the end of the shaft nearest the knob. Then lightly sanded the area to remove any burrs and imperfections. I already had the DM-6 adapter from Avalon so it was a matter of just swapping out the knob assemblies. This way the knob stays capped. The knob assembly I chose is 1 thread too long and won't snug the mount down tight to the tripod. Luckily I have a son who just happens to run a CNC machine at work. He made me an adapter out of some very hard resin material they use for furniture. The mount center section fits perfectly inside the opening letting the mount rest on the large outer portion when tightened down. The mount is very secured.

 

Ronnie

 

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[Dek Rowan]

Hi Ronnie,

 

Could you test fitting the adaptor to the underside of the tripod head.

As it is fitted, the two small bolts (M4?) are taking the full load of the mount and OTA which I don't think they were designed to do.

 

Fitting on the underside also leaves the top recess clear for the  spigot on the AZ100 base to locate in the head recess.

The T-POD recess is 65.3mm dia which is a good fit for the AZ100 spigot leaving the outer 100mm dia of the AZ100 to sit on the top face of the TPOD

ATB

Derek.

 

 

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[Ronnie Miller]

Hi Derek! Sorry it has taken so long for me to reply but work has been interesting to say the least (bought by another company and dealing with their ways). Did as you asked and yes, it fits perfectly. The 2 smaller screws only held the small center black adapter but never the load of the mount. 
 

Ronnie

[rhaskins]

So, I have the same McMaster Carr part and have removed about 25mm of thread. Works fine. I did this about 8 months ago when I got my mount.

and I another spare just in case. I tried to have my local machine shop I used before to do the work but they declined as it is too small a job. So me with my grinder did it.

Does not look great but work great.

Rick