Water Bottle Camera Stand, with Centered Lug
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Published on May 28, 2012
Description
This thing is a simple cap that fits over the cap of a standard water or soda bottle, and holds your small snapshot camera so you can take a picture without having to rest the camera on a stick, railing, etc.
I saw a soda bottle tripod thing here on ThingiVerse, but it was printed in 3 pieces and had to be glued together. Plus it was thick and bulky and had a pivot ball that didn't fit into the socket correctly (it broke the socket when I pushed it in). I designed this camera stand completely from scratch using Autodesk Inventor. I printed it out using the Thing-O-Matic at TechShop and also on a Replicator.
The little post that attaches to the camera's 1/4-20 threaded mount simply pushes in...you don't have to screw it in. I'm not sure how many cycles this will work, but you can always print a new one if it wears out. Also, I would advise that you unscrew the mount from the camera instead of pulling it straight out...there's a chance it could break off if you pull it.
Be careful because the camera might be a little tippy on top of the soda or water bottle. Be careful that the wind doesn't blow the whole thing over and break your camera!
Enjoy!
I saw a soda bottle tripod thing here on ThingiVerse, but it was printed in 3 pieces and had to be glued together. Plus it was thick and bulky and had a pivot ball that didn't fit into the socket correctly (it broke the socket when I pushed it in). I designed this camera stand completely from scratch using Autodesk Inventor. I printed it out using the Thing-O-Matic at TechShop and also on a Replicator.
The little post that attaches to the camera's 1/4-20 threaded mount simply pushes in...you don't have to screw it in. I'm not sure how many cycles this will work, but you can always print a new one if it wears out. Also, I would advise that you unscrew the mount from the camera instead of pulling it straight out...there's a chance it could break off if you pull it.
Be careful because the camera might be a little tippy on top of the soda or water bottle. Be careful that the wind doesn't blow the whole thing over and break your camera!
Enjoy!
Instructions
1.) Print it out. I used a Replicator and turned rafting ON, support OFF, 25% fill, and 2 shells. I was surprised that the lack of support did not result in a hairy underside for the top...the replicator drew lines magically across the top as if there was support! You may need support if the top droops for you on your printer.
2.) Push the thing on to the top of a standard water bottle or soda bottle with the cap on. It should fit snuggly. Also, it is best if the bottle is full of liquid.
3.) Push your camera onto the camera mount lug. Just push it straight on...it will slide right in, and there's no need to screw it in.
4.) Take your photo with the self-timer.
5.) To remove the camera, I recommend that you unscrew the camera stand from the camera's 1/4-20 hole instead of pulling it out to avoid breakage of the lug.
2.) Push the thing on to the top of a standard water bottle or soda bottle with the cap on. It should fit snuggly. Also, it is best if the bottle is full of liquid.
3.) Push your camera onto the camera mount lug. Just push it straight on...it will slide right in, and there's no need to screw it in.
4.) Take your photo with the self-timer.
5.) To remove the camera, I recommend that you unscrew the camera stand from the camera's 1/4-20 hole instead of pulling it out to avoid breakage of the lug.
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M_G
on
May 30, 2012
said:
Perhaps it would be a good idea to screw it into a camera when the plastic was still warm and wait for it to solidify in the threaded hole so that when you screw it out it will have taken on the necessary threads???
TechShopJim
on
May 30, 2012
said:
Hi M_G...
I'll leave that test up to you. ;)
The "zip-in" fake threads actually work pretty well. What I would rather do is install a 1/4-20 screw. However, this works OK for now. I'm not sure I want to put melted plastic into my camera!
I am working on another variation of this camera stand with the
lug offset to the side. That's because my camera has its mounting hole over on one side, not centered.
Thanks!
License
Water Bottle Camera Stand, with Centered Lug by TechShopJim is licensed under the Attribution - Creative Commons license.
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I have an OpenSCAD script for 1/4-20 thread that is printable and fits nicely into the camera. With this you could create a screwable cap.
I'm still working on my own camera mount, but here is the script for the thread:
http://pastebin.com/22PhDzzW