DIY light tripod project

[carlmart]

Some days I had an idea on how to build a light, cheap, easily transportable tripod using PVC tubing.

The idea is to use them for holding LED lights, like the the Z96, which is rather light in weight and has its gravity point right under it... as long as you don't use video batteries.

As I foresee it, height should only be 1.5 meters, as going higher than that might make balance difficult.

My experience with PVC tubing is mostly from building a FigRig clone, so it's rather limited. But I imagine using 25mm tubes, about 50cm long for each section (3 of them), with two joining tubes and a top cap to hold the holding screw.

The main problem are the legs, so I'm thinking of using 45 degrees adapters, three of them, stuck on the base in a "turtle-base" style. The main issue of such an arrangement is that, as I picture it, the legs will be unequal when forming the base.

Suggestions on how to solve that problem would be welcome. Also any other ideas on how to make this project better.

If there were other previous DIY tripod projects here or elsewhere, please do let me know.

[David W. Jones]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but by the time you invest your time and money into materials, you could have purchased a light stand for less. They aren't really that expensive.

[carlmart]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but by the time you invest your time and money into materials, you could have purchased a light stand for less. They aren't really that expensive.

Yes, you're wrong. Where I live, Brazil, tripods are far from not being "that expensive".

OTOS they are cumbersome and heavy, and I would like to have something practical and light.

[David W. Jones]

I have been to Brazil a number of times. As you are on line, it appears that if you really wanted to you could order an inexpensive lightweight light stand off the Internet for low dollars. There are lightweight stands that are not heavy and cumbersome and sell for little cash.

[carlmart]

I do buy a lot of things directly from abroad, through eBay. But in order not to pay import taxes, which are VERY high (>60% over product price and shipping), you have to limit those to small inconspicuous things. Tripods do not quite fit there!

OTOH, I am also looking for a solution that could be cheap, light and carried around easily.

[Ted Ramasola]

what about using work light stands? Or very cheap lightweight tripods for small point and shoot cameras?

I think the LED light you mention is the same as the one i have, it has options for AA batteries or a sony battery correct? If so this is so light you can modify a mic stand and boom to hold this.

[carlmart]

They do not sell work light stands here, like those yellow ones holding two heads I saw in the USA.

Yes, the lightweight cheap camera tripods might do, though they rarely raise higher than 1 meter. I already have one of those, so I can get two more, and maybe one a little higher.

And yes, that's the LED light type I talk about. I bought two more last week, so I can make a three-heads lighting on my location shooting.

[Ted Ramasola]

how about a microphone stand? I use mine for holding led lights aside from a mic.

[David G. Smith]

I second all of the above advice, if you can possibly get real light stands, then you should get them. However, if you feel that you have no other choice than to make DIY PVC pipe light stands, then here is a tutorial that might be useful.

[Ted Ramasola]

That is a good link David. Thanks for sharing that link.