DIY Articulated Magnetic Camera mount - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 10:52:09 am
content: Following Daves "EEVblog#493 DIY Video Camera Dolly For Workbenches" thread finally made me get off my but and design and build what I thought would be the Ideal camera mount system for use in my shop. I had been constantly frustrated with not being able to quickly and easily get the camera where It needed to be. It took a while because that pesky "real" work keeps getting in the way of my fun work. There are things that I would improve on future versions but I am pretty happy with how this first attempt turned out.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 11:24:37 am
content: Excellent stuff!Love the video, lots of ideas to use for my next metalworking project.

author: ablacon64
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 11:25:38 am
content: Very good! Thanks for the video!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 11:56:02 am
content: Awesome

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 12:05:10 pm
content: Rob, most excellent!If you ever decide to make a few of these, count me in!

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 01:34:18 pm
content: Quote from: dr.diesel on September 06, 2013, 12:05:10 pmMe too.......I'll have one.....cash waiting.Ian.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 02:10:07 pm
content: Any reason for using silver ans not brass?Alexander.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 02:14:06 pm
content: Quote from: firewalker on September 06, 2013, 02:10:07 pmLower temperature and better flow than brass. I use 56% silver solder for lots of other things so it is just what I have on hand.Brass (brazing) would work also.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 02:45:06 pm
content: I forgot the most important: Excellent job!I really like watching video like yours (machining). One of my favorite yt channels is myfordboy.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNC9gjgYrzLfyMQmp31DnjAAlexander.

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 03:59:12 pm
content: Absolutely brilliant piece of work.

author: DarkPrince
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 04:37:46 pm
content: Awesome! Enjoyed the walk-through of the making too. Thanks.

author: jaxbird
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 04:52:51 pm
content: Awesome work

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 04:59:16 pm
content: Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. I am trying to find the level of construction detail coverage that more viewers will enjoy. There are not many who enjoy my longer videos that cover every detail of making things.

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 05:31:19 pm
content: I really like your videos which shows the making. I learned machinist at school. But never work as one. I find the kelvin probe videos very fascinating. Working at such tiny dimensions is impressive.Using a magnetic base is a real machinist solution.I really like it!

author: quarks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 07:16:47 pm
content: Thanks a lot for sharing your great work!!!If you are not already interested in professional foto/film accesory, you should really begin to look into it. Because with your fantastic skills you are able to compete with premium brands like ReallyRightStuff, Kirk, Gitzo and others I have stuff from.

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 10:14:13 pm
content: Nicely done indeed, both in the design and execution.A couple questions as an EE who had to learn a bit of machining to build my projects.1) I have been under the impression that lapping compound and the like should be kept far away from the lathe and mill and other precision tools as you don't want specks of the lapping grit to wind up in places where it shouldn't. That didn't seem to bother you much. I keep my bench grinder, for instance, 30 feet or so from the lathe and mill. What's the real story?2) Over time, will the ball-to-carbon fiber surface become work polished and hence not develop enough friction to hold the arms in place? Or is that expected and the solution is to tighten the plates to increase pressure between the plates and ball surface?

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 12:41:09 am
content: Quote from: JackOfVA on September 06, 2013, 10:14:13 pmThanks, I think of you every time I look at those 2 new bipolar power supplies I got because of your post1. Generally good advice but IMO it really depends on how your equipment is protected. If you notice my lathe has neoprene sheet covering all the ways and slides so no grit is falling on sliding surfaces. I also have paper towels down to get the worst of it. The chuck jaws were removed and washed in the ultrasonic cleaner and the chuck scroll and slots were completely cleaned and re-lubed. Then all the covers were wiped clean to get any stray grit off. So I take a lot of care to make sure the damaging effects of abrasives don't get a chance to destroy my toolmakers dream(that is the industry nick name for the Hardinge HLVH tool room lathe)2. I expect that will occur to some degree over time. The 2 bolts apply the preload have nylock nuts so tweaking the drag force later on will not be a problem.

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 12:55:54 am
content: Quote from: robrenz on September 07, 2013, 12:41:09 amThanks - makes sense. I suppose if the ball joints were exercised 24/7 some sort of replaceable friction material could be used, like a brake pad.I have a friend with a Hardinge toolroom lathe - he spent over a year restoring it to the point where it looks and works like it was just delivered from the Hardinge factory. I have a long bed, gearbox Myford here.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 03:16:31 am
content: your workshop is still on my xmas list

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 04:16:08 am
content: Quote from: quarks on September 06, 2013, 07:16:47 pmI did not research what was available before I made this but your post prompted me to look. You are right, I could find nothing of this size/range of motion. Maybe I should try a Kickstarter project to see if there is enough interest.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 04:39:27 am
content: Wouldn't costs be prohibitive if you factor in labor and the fact that you might get hundreds of orders?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 05:59:35 am
content: Can be cost reduced at the expense of increased mass. You can have aluminium hollow balls made and machined round, with the threaded mounting built in. Then use a threaded rod for the tension member. The rest is easy to have CNC made, though you would probably just have them tumbled to do the edge finish. Other than that it is a very good design, very stable and a lot better than any others out there.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 09:11:59 am
content: Robrenz, just ruined my keyboard again from uncontrollably drooling after seeing those metal working tools, and of course your skill.Great video, learned tons from there, thank you !PS : Where are those recently acquired two HP precision lab psus ? Can't see them in your shelf there.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 11:37:03 am
content: Quote from: alm on September 07, 2013, 04:39:27 amThis was a first pass "breadboard" design using mostly junk box components/materials. I would do a complete redesign for even better functionality and a thorough DFMA analysis before I even showed it on Kickstarter. It would be totally outsourced other than possibly assembly/shipping depending on # of units.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2013, 11:44:30 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on September 07, 2013, 05:11:04 amInterest level in this thread will give us a hint as to whether you are correct.I think I covered your other points in my response to alm above.@ SeanB Yes and Thanks.@ BravoV Thanks, they are on other shelves at the moment and the 6115A still needs a restore video

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 12:02:31 am
content: One Word: "Awesome". Like a good movie it didn't feel long at all. I would come back for moreIf you ever decide to get in Kickstarter count me in. I would like a good lamp mounted like that.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2013, 06:22:48 pm
content: Thanks for the encouragement, I like videos I watch to be concise and fluff free so I attempt to do the same. I need to work on removing all the pause filling ah's from my vocabulary.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 02:28:28 am
content: Quote from: robrenz on September 07, 2013, 11:44:30 amWell I guess the deafening silence answers that question

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 02:38:37 am
content: Quote from: robrenz on September 14, 2013, 02:28:28 amHa, damnit I want one!

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 08:45:54 am
content: If you took that boom to market a choice of mountings other than the magnet would be required, there is not always a suitable chunk of steel around to mount on so things like clamps and weights, The ball on each end of the shaft is a must to be competitive the clamp plates would be easily made by punching either a dedicated die or on something like an amada turret punch. A fluid coupling on the head and base might also be good idea.It is nice to see such skillsthese days as so many of the companies that I deal with are employing people who went on a course in using a CNC mill or lathe if you gave them a machine without a screen and push buttons they would not be able to even turn it on let alone make anything from a drawing true machinists are dying breed this side of the pond.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 06:58:54 pm
content: robrenzEach time I watch your videos I am impressed with your design skills and your machining skills. Your work is always well considered for the job at hand and for the machining steps necessary to complete the work. Thanks for sharing.Yes, I would be interested in one of these but shipping to Chile might be a bit prohibitive.

author: JoannaK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2013, 02:06:10 am
content: Really neat ..Would I like to have one or two of those, definitely... Afford? Nope.

author: RobB
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2013, 10:07:35 am
content: As a fellow machinist I would like to say this is an amazing project with some inspired beyond the square solutions. The first half of your byline is absolutely correct.Respect!

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2013, 10:23:09 pm
content: Thanks, that means a lot from a fellow machinist. I am glad you enjoyed it.

author: electronic_eel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2014, 09:54:45 pm
content: Just happend to stumble on this thread & your video: really nice & solid work. I enjoy the longer and more in-depth videos.Any chance of a kickstarter for this mount? The tripod is always in the way when doing some photo or video documentation...

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2014, 02:50:16 am
content: Thanks, I have some major design improvements that I need to put in the next version. It will have much more fluid motion that is counterbalanced for adjustable camera weights. You will see it here when I get time to make it.

author: electronic_eel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2014, 07:51:52 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on March 05, 2014, 02:50:16 amYeah, max reasonable camera weight was a question that came to my mind too. When I put my macro lens on my DSLR that is 1,1kg altogether. Looking forward for your new version and the next video full of nice machinery I can't afford and don't have the skills for...Quote from: robrenz on March 05, 2014, 02:50:16 amI will definitively stay subscribed to this thread, so just post here when you are done.