DIY light tripod project

C

Carlos_E._Martinez

Well-known member
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.
 
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.
 
David W. Jones said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
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 said:
That is a good link David. Thanks for sharing that link.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there is a series of videos from that guy. I like him. He is pretty sincere I think. I have made some DIY PVC pipe frames (48"X48", 24"X36" and 24"X24") and watched the above video to help with that. I am very pleased with how the frames turned out. However, I am going to mount them with grip heads and regular stands.

BTW, after working with the PVC pipe, I am also going to keep some 4 or 5 foot pieces around with me all the time. They make great little boom arms for light weight lights or other accessories. I can't believe I didn't think of that before.
 
Thank you. That's exactly what I was thinking about. It's even something that I might even throw away and do not feel sorry for it.

It's much lighter than any tripod of any kind, except perhaps those cheap camera tripods, which unfortunately do not reach too high.

My only problem would be to cut the pieces beforehand, and then to assemble them on location, but that can be quick too if the joining tubes are already in place.
 
Last edited:
I don't know about that putting them together and taking them apart over and over thing. I learned pretty quick, when making the frames that I now have, that unglued connections, hand tightened down, are not up to the lateral rotational forces that the components of the frame exert when assembled and suspended from a grip head. The unglued connections would twist apart and the whole frame would fall apart. I went ahead and glued every connection on the frames I built. With a light stand, I don't know if the hand tightened connections would be subject to the same structural forces that a frame would. I suspect not, but you will have to find that out by doing it. Personally, i would glue all the connections in the very bottom piece. There are elbows and T joints in that, and I would be more comfortable if they were glued together. Also, when you glue them together, be very careful and make sure that the angles are all square. Squaring the piece up takes some consideration when you are putting the pieces together and gluing them together. You have to work rather fast. I suggest putting some weight at the 90 degree connections to make sure that they stay square. A sandbag works great. Good luck. Post some pix of your completed stand if you can. I would like to see it.
 
Last edited:
I agree with the matters you raise. Torsion due to structural forces can be an issue.

In this particular case I might get away with it because the LED reflector heads are rather light.

I guess the vertical tube might have to be reinforced, as is suggested in the final part of the video, with an L foot, to control torsion.
 
An additional idea I had on preventing torsions is to drill a hole on the joints, in this case those on the base, and simply put a nail through it to block torsion force.
 
daihard said:
Durable Retractable Iron Tripod - Black - Worldwide Free Shipping - DX

not top quality, but simple and effective as well as cheap. They'll ship for free.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip. They look like a very good deal. Two comments though:

1) The seller is a bit wanting in purchasing help. The machine puts a different value on the Paypal charge than what should be charged and the purchase couldn't be finished. :(

2) The tripods are iron, and shouldn't be light to carry around. The reason I was picking the pvc tubes was not only economical, but weight related too. Of course those tripods would be a lot easier to setup though. :)
 
How about using the short lightweight tripods and make an extension (pvc pipe) that attaches to the mount and goes up another 500mm. That way you have your legs etc all done and just add the additional height.
 
autlea said:
How about using the short lightweight tripods and make an extension (pvc pipe) that attaches to the mount and goes up another 500mm. That way you have your legs etc all done and just add the additional height.
Click to expand...

That would be great. The question is how to attach the pvc extension pipe to the tripod.

The tripod screw is a bit short, designed for photo cameras, so I think I can't use that screw to secure the pvc tube.

Perhaps someone can suggest how.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top