I've seen many third-hand tools made with ball-joints or Line-Loc flexible tubes. I didn't like either one. I happened across a SUNPAK flexPod tripod camera mount at a thrift store. Upside down it looked just like what I was envisioning. Easy to adjust over a very wide range, and stiff enough to hold a position. I drilled and tapped (3.0x.5mm ) into the ends of the feet. Replaced the 3.0x.5mm screws in alligator clips with screws with their heads cut off , Added jam nuts inside the clips to keep the screws from rotating. When screwed into the soft feet they are easy to rotate, but hold their position. I liked it so well that I bought another one on eBay for $4.48 including shipping. These have been discontinued by the manufacturer and replaced with the Line-Loc style legs. I looks like there aren't many of this style left out there.

Ken

 

Good deal that you customized that to your liking.

Not sure what you mean about "there aren't many of this style left out there". Gorilla or Monkey or Octopus tripods are all over the camera world...with legs that look like your pic.

 

Was locked into "flexPod", so didn't search other brands. These discontinued ones are cheaper. But, what ever works.

Ken

 

Thanks for the tip. I didn't like the Line-Loc version either. I sometimes use a Noga device that locks with a single knob. Its designed purpose is to hold a dial indicator, and it is a lot more expensive.

I just bought a discontinued flexpod like yours. Should get it early next week and will report back. The newer version of Sunpak's flexpod has sections that look more like Line Loc, but they are different than the Line Loc I use:



Note the molded-in grippers and absence of bulbous connections. BTW, instead of alligator clips, I usually use old fashioned, regular size spring cloths pins. They close to zero, and one can cut grooves to keep multiple wires aligned, like servo wires. The ends of cloths pins are easily modified for other purposes too.

 

@KMoffett

Hi Ken,

I didn't have a break in hobby farm work until now. I made a couple of small changes in your design for convenience. First, I bought Mueller branded clips on eBay ($8 for 15 including shipping). I liked the way the teeth fit together.

The clips I bought have the formed hole, but are not threaded (BU60, DigiKey 314-1033-ND old surplus). I believe the stock thread is 6-40 NF, which is less common than the 6-32 NC. I am sure that was done because of the small area for threading. The pilot hole for 6-40 is a little smaller than for 6-32, but that made no difference in such thin metal. I carefully threaded each clip with 6-32. You get about one full thread in the metal.

I was wary about depending on the plastic to hold anything, so I drilled a close-fit clearance hole (#27 or #28) through the entire plastic coupling. Cleaned up the rubber around the exit hole with a razor blade (a little surfactant helps), used a 6-32 x 3/4" socket head screw to attach the clip from the bottom, and was able to suck it up pretty tight. If you have the pre-threaded clips, just substituting a 6-40 x 3/4" should hold even better. Here's a picture showing how well the rubber surface is compressed.



If I eventually need a stop nut, I can add one then.

John