FITBMX
Been spending a lot of time on here!
- Joined
- May 11, 2014
- Messages
- 3,860
- Reaction score
- 1,423
- Location
- Burns, KS, USA
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
I bought a Bogen 3211 tripod a few weeks ago, I love it! When I took it out for the first time for a hike and some wildlife shooting, I found it was a pain to carry with my camera bag. Going through brush and over fences was really hard! So I started thinking of a good way to carry it on my back, but I wanted to be able to get it off quickly. So I started to think of a Biathlon harness, they are easy on, easy off, and cost like $350!!! So I made my own, using plumbing parts from the locale hardware store!
I started with four 1/2" brass couplers, and a old 1 1/2" chrome plated brass drain pipe. I used a wire wheel on a bench grinder to take a the drain pipe down to raw brass. Then clamped the couplers to the drain, and soldered them on one at a time.
I cut a slit down one side, for the clamp.
I then cut two pieces of CPVC pipe 32" (more or less) each.
I ran a small rope into one pipe and then through the other, and then tied the rope lower on the leg bowing the pipe. I used a large hose clamp, to clamp the fittings to the tripod leg. And then the test fit!
I also used a lot duct tape on the inside edge of the CPVC pipe to keep it from cutting the rope.
It seemed to work very nicely, so it was time for padding! I had some used padding from something else, so I cut it into 1 1/4" strips and super glued it down in layers.
Then the covering. I happened to have a bag of leather scraps, so it got suede leather on the under side.
I used super glue to put the leather on.
To finish it off, I used very nice looking lamb skin on the top. Using more super glue!
It's not the best leather job, but it is good enough for me!
I really like how it turned out! It stays on, even jumping up and down, or swinging side to side. It's rather comfy, and I can have it off and set up with my camera on it in less than 45 seconds, and cost me 6 Bucks to build!!!
If anyone wants more details let me know!
I started with four 1/2" brass couplers, and a old 1 1/2" chrome plated brass drain pipe. I used a wire wheel on a bench grinder to take a the drain pipe down to raw brass. Then clamped the couplers to the drain, and soldered them on one at a time.
I cut a slit down one side, for the clamp.
I then cut two pieces of CPVC pipe 32" (more or less) each.
I ran a small rope into one pipe and then through the other, and then tied the rope lower on the leg bowing the pipe. I used a large hose clamp, to clamp the fittings to the tripod leg. And then the test fit!
I also used a lot duct tape on the inside edge of the CPVC pipe to keep it from cutting the rope.
It seemed to work very nicely, so it was time for padding! I had some used padding from something else, so I cut it into 1 1/4" strips and super glued it down in layers.
Then the covering. I happened to have a bag of leather scraps, so it got suede leather on the under side.
I used super glue to put the leather on.
To finish it off, I used very nice looking lamb skin on the top. Using more super glue!
It's not the best leather job, but it is good enough for me!
I really like how it turned out! It stays on, even jumping up and down, or swinging side to side. It's rather comfy, and I can have it off and set up with my camera on it in less than 45 seconds, and cost me 6 Bucks to build!!!
If anyone wants more details let me know!