DIY Clampable monopod

[wolf184]

Didn't know how to title it...but they do say a picture is worth a thousand words so you decide. I do video for my local public access station. One thing that is starting soon is High School football. In the press box where I setup is a small shelf that is made out of a 2x6. One way I did it was to set the front legs of my tripod in the tracks of the windows we removed and the other on the back side of the 2x6. This made for an unstable setup...envision camera going out window into crowd below. So I put 2 legs on the 2x6 and sent the 3rd to the floor, which didn't reach so I had to carry a small stool for it to rest on. So I decided to make something for this year. Luckily the station had a tripod that the head had an issue with, which I fixed, and the quick release plate still in it. Then I needed a base...my first thought was some sort of angle iron DIY and use a C-clamp to hold it down. In talking to my wife she suggested PVC pipe...the light bulb went on. I went to the shed to see what I had for PVC pipe and noticed the old Dish Network dish setting there, the light bulb became brighter. So off to the hardware store to buy a PVC cap 1 1/4" and the bolt to go through it for the tripod head, couple regular washers and a couple lock washers. TA-DA clampable monopod for $2.58...baring you already have the old Dish Network dish sitting around. FYI I already had the C-clamp, 3" clamp at my Aubuchon is $6.50. The PVC cap also has 3 self taping sheet metal screws through it to keep it from turning or coming off, which it didn't need put and ounce of prevention you know. This also makes it so I can take the head off and put it back on the legs if needed.

Materials:
Dish Network Satellite dish mount
1 1/4" PVC cap
1 bolt for tripod head w/2 regular washers and 2 lock washers...(Can't remember size)
3 Sheet metal screws
1 Manfrotto 3130 head
I think thats it.