Spotting Scope Tripod
I’m going to build a short tripod for my spotting scope for prone use.
Still in the design process, but have started making some parts – Will likely change as things progress.
This is the solidworks model of the tripod stowed and deployed (I have something in mind for the head but I haven’t designed it yet).
And some pics so far.
4×4 block of aluminum too big for my vice
One pocket done, 2 to go, these were to be protusions to keep the legs from folding up on themselves but I have revised that.
Z axis chip guard working great
Cutting the exterior profile
Locking bracket got in the way and was bent… I knew I should have left it off the mill.
And a short video – air only, no coolant.
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Never mind you said 270 degrees rotation and I was thinking 90.
A wise old bear said “Think before you post!” my bad , sorry.
I guess what screwed me up was the position of the angle on the legs. wouldn’t the open picture have the angle on the bottom @ 270 deg?
I might be getting this wrong. Looking at the 3d drawing it opens downward so the rod or wings only stop further downward rotation. this would mean that any directional pressure on the stand could cause slight collapsing back up of the legs. A detent ball on either the base or legs with a corresponding divet would lock them in place and increased pressure could break that and fold it back up. Despite my screen name I’m not trying to screw with you, it’s just the way it looked to me.
sorry, i dont get how a spring detent will help in addition to a peice of aluminum blocking any further rotation.
Ya I was just thinking of the uneven ground aspect when you touch the scope to keep it from any collapsing at all.
Heckler – The first design had “wings” sticking out on the top of the center mount (shown in the 3d pictures), when opened the legs rotate through 270 degree’s and them stop when they hit the wings which keeps them in place. I am now going to use a small rod to accomplish the same thing.
I’m not that concerned about keep the tripod in the closed position as it will be stowed in a backpack.
Looks pretty good. You might wanna think about some type of spring loaded plunger/detent to hold the legs in position. I’m sure you planned on keeping the legs pretty tight so it may not be an issue. You can buy set screws with detent balls in them if you decide to.
good stuff YN keep up the good work
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No problem – i find myself editing my posts all the time to remove things I got mixed up.
The angle on the legs is right – I only know this because I used solidworks to model it and that did the rotation 😀