GoPro Laser Mount

My youngest son wants to be able to take video of projects being cut on our laser cutter, using our shiny little GoPro camera.

Since some of the complex cuts we do can take 20-30 minutes, standing holding the GoPro isn't a comfortable option, so I quickly drew up this little frame to let the camera point vertically downwards through the glass lid of the cutter.

Materials cost was zero, since I cut it from an offcut from one of my paid cutting jobs, but even in new material it's just pennies' worth of plywood, which is far better value than most GoPro accessories run at!

I used 3mm ply and a laser cutter.

You could cut the parts by hand, but, if you're making this to stand on a laser cutter....?

The parts friction-fit, so you don't need any glue.

You can use this stand to look down on anything with a glass lid, not just a laser cutter (maybe an aquarium?), so you might want to get the parts cut online. If you use Ponoko, you can use the SVG file I’ve attached to this step to get the parts cut from a P1 sheet of 3mm plywood for about $4.

I've added every format of file I can - whatever model of laser cutter you use, at least one of them will work.

Check for scaling: the length of the cut pieces together should come out at 120mm long.

The two parts simply slot together.

The points go upwards, to align the GoPro when you place it face-down.

The frame has a clearance of 11mm off the glass, just enough to keep the lens off the glass, without letting in enough reflected light to spoil the images.

The parts are just slotted together, so can pull apart for easy storage - ideal when you need to shove it in your pocket or pencil case between Technology lessons...