Groovy almost-free low stands

[Michael Carter]

Nail plates are priceless when you need 'em, but I always have a bunch in a dairy crate, wishing they were in the game.

I needed several low lights a while back, grabbed some plywood scraps, spray paint, & rubber feet. I made these little stands - there are two strips that are screwed to the big strip with a washer in between to act as a spacer:

Set your nail plate in there and give it a 90-degree twist:

Instant low stand, and three or four of 'em take almost no room. Sandbag 'em, screw some rubber feet on 'em, whatever.

I don't know that I'd stick a 5K on there... but it sure is cheaper than doing the turtle-base & butt plug (and eating up a c-stand in the process).

 

[Paul Hudson]

You should patent this and sell it to Matthews. They sell a lot of gadget that are completely useless. This one has some merit.

 

[Jeff Anderson]

Absolutely fantastic - have been in need of some really low stands!

 

[Michael Carter]

Thanks guys - they really are handy, cheap, and sort of a "make the most out of your gear" deal.

I usually sandbag 'em as they're easy to trip over that low.

 

[PaPa]

very cool. looks easy enough to make. What's the exact term used for the piece that the light tightens to? looks simple enough to make.

 

[Michael Carter]

Generally called a "nail plate" - they come in various lengths, for nailing or screwing to walls, beams, etc. Pretty handy when you can get away with a few screw holes. They have 'em at filmtools, etc - here's a couple:

http://www.cinemagadgets.com/baby-nail-plate-p-877.html

http://www.filmtools.com/mat3babnailp.html

 

[David G. Smith]

Very nice, thanks.

BTW, is that baby stand adaptor bolted to the yoke of that light an after market piece? I am looking to pick up a few of those to trick out some DIY lights, do you know where that one is from? (if it is after market that is).

 

[Michael Carter]

Just search eBay or any grip supply site for a "TVMP" or a Spud. Cool Lights sells them as well, but their shipping is absurd. Matthews and Avenger make 'em, Adorama has several different kinds (but you have to really dig around their site for them)

Pyramid films sells a really nice one, too.

 

[David G. Smith]

Just search eBay or any grip supply site for a "TVMP" or a Spud. Cool Lights sells them as well, but their shipping is absurd. Matthews and Avenger make 'em, Adorama has several different kinds (but you have to really dig around their site for them)

Pyramid films sells a really nice one, too.

Yeah, I have seen the ones on the Cool Lights and FilmTools sites. I couldn't find them in the M-R catalog (I guess a phone call would work also.... so last century!). I'll check the others, thanks.

 

[Michael Carter]

Here you go:

http://www.filmtools.com/tvadmat42.html

Adorama has all kinds of stand adapters, too. Some cool stuff for DIY rigs, but you have to try various searches on their site.

 

[David G. Smith]

Here you go:

http://www.filmtools.com/tvadmat42.html

Adorama has all kinds of stand adapters, too. Some cool stuff for DIY rigs, but you have to try various searches on their site.

Cool, thanks. Yeah, what is up with the Adorama search. I have had issues with that looking for other stuff also. Oh well. Thanks for the info. The nail plate DIY rig is great. I am mos def making a couple of those.

 

[Michael Carter]

Not so much a search issue in this case - they just have all sorts of little adapter hardware pieces with various names. Today a search for "stand adapter" returns 70+ items - a lot of stuff for microphones & whatnot, but some cool little parts. Like this part for instance - would be handy for sticking anything home-made on a c-stand.

 

[Michael Carter]

Works for more than lights, too: