Tripod Multi-purpose & Low Tech

Hi Dear Reader,

The aim of this instructable is to build a low-tech multi-purpose tripod based on a wooden laser-cut structure. I intended to do it with very standard supplies in order to make it easy to replicate. It is also multi-purpose as you'll be able to add everything you need on top.

It is composed of 4 main parts : three legs that are tighten on one star shaped top base.

Legs can move freely thanks to pivot joints, and they can be hold in position via butterfly nuts.

Top base is drilled, it can hold a ball bearing if you want to build a rotating base, or anything else. For example it could be a basic LEDbulb to transform the whole assembly into a home made reading lamp. I will present you my idea when I come up with this design, if you read until the end you might discover it and maybe recognize a part of the moon...

Have fun reading, and please don't hesitate to comment :)

Project can be split into 3 main parts :

1st : Process the whole assembly shapes using laser-cut machine

For this step you'll need to gather the .dxf file, it is hosted on Thingiverse right here.

Tips : If you're not able to get access to a laser-cut machine, print the .dxf (1:1 scale) and use it as a guide for a hand coping saw. You can also 3d print the parts.

2nd : Leg Assembly

For each leg you will need :

• 6 Bolts and Nuts (Ø 5 mm or 3/16", Length : 35mm)
• 1 Butterfly nut (Ø 5 mm or 3/16")
• 1 Threaded spacer (5 mm or 3/16")
• 2 Nuts washer

Common pieces for the 3 legs :

• Threaded steel rod (5 mm or 3/16")
• Aluminium tube (Outer diameter 6 mm or just under 1/4")

3rd : top holding base assembly :

• 12 bolts and nuts (Ø 3 mm or 3/32", Length : 25mm or 1")
• Ball bearing (optionnal)

This step is my favorite, it is the one that makes your project becoming reality. After hours of CAD design, you're now able to see a preview of the pieces :-)

When designing, I intend to get a 30 cm tall tripod (relatively small one). Material is plywood, 5mm thick, design fit on a bit less than a legal paper surface.

One can easliy enlarge the dxf file to get a bigger tripod, but ensure that the width of wood will be adapted for assembly (many assembly steps rely on mortise and tenon joint connections). Another way would be to 3D print the whole assembly, but I didn't try it up to now.

Remember the pieces needed ? Here is the list :

For each leg you will need :

• 6 Bolts and Nuts (Ø 5 mm or 3/16", Length : 35mm)
• 1 Butterfly nut (Ø 5 mm or 3/16")
• 1 Threaded spacer (5 mm or 3/16")
• 2 Nuts washer

Common pieces for the 3 legs :

• Threaded steel rod (5 mm or 3/16", length : 1 meter or ~3 feet )
• Aluminium tube (Outer diameter 6 mm or just under 1/4, length : 1 meter or ~3 feet)

In addition to the above list, gather some tools :

• Tube Cutter (see pictures to see the one that I use)
• Metal saw

Now, you're ready to continue :

1. Threaded steel rod

Use the Metal Saw to cut the threaded steel rod in order to get 3 parts. It should be 3 roughly equal parts, 25cm long (or 10").

2. Aluminium tube

Use the Tube Cutter in order to cut the aluminum tube in 15 pieces of 25 mm (or 1") . There will be 5 pieces per leg.

In addition repeat the process to get 3 pieces of 23mm (or 0.9"), these will be used for each pivot joints connection of the legs.

This step is the easiest, you just have to apply Tenon & Mortise Connection principle, it is rather a very simple puzzle game ! I bet the pictures will guide you through the process :)

Now you have a wood structure that is a bit shaky, let's add some strength :-)

1. Place a 25 mm (or 1") aluminium rod piece between the 2 wooden side of the leg rail
2. Ensure that it is align with the drilled hole on the face.
3. Insert a bolt, passing through the tube.
4. Repeat for each 5 first drilled hole (left side on the pictures),
5. Tips : Insertion side of the bolt can be alternated.
6. Fasten the nut on the bold
7. Add a bit of punch with one turn of wrench

If you process well tyou should now have a bit more rigid structure in your hands, but let's add a bit more rigidity !

As we get rigidity on one direction in the previous step, let's now add some on the other.

1. Get the threaded steel rod part that has been previously cut into 25cm (or 10") pieces.
2. Insert it through the 3 drilled holes alongside the leg faces
3. On one hand (left side of the picture), tight a threaded spacer
4. On the other hand (right side of the picture if you followed me), tight a nut
5. You can had some punch using the wrench.

By now, the whole structure should be rigid. Add the pivot joint connection on the remaining drilled hole as follow :

1. Insert the remaining bolt through the drilled hole
2. The bolt go through, in order :
   
   • plywood 1st side
   • a washer
   • the previously cut 23 mm(or 0.9") aluminum tube
   • a washer

   • plywood 2nd side

3. Insert the butterfly nut to hold the bolt.

Well, congratulations :) at this point the first leg is ready !

Everything is in the title, keep motivated, you get through hardest parts, all you need now is to repeat back (only 2 times) the process starting at first step of leg part assembly !

Continue to next step when you manage to build the 3 legs (or if you don't while remaining curious).

Reminder for the pieces needed :

• 12 bolts and nuts (Ø 3 mm or 3/32", Length : 25mm or 1")

• Ball bearing (optionnal)

Let's stack up the wood sheets to form the base :

1. Place the first and the second sheet as depicted
2. Insert ball bearing (optionnal) with a slight finger pressure
3. Place third and fourth sheet

Stack-up is ready !

Now it is time to fasten the star :

1. Insert 6 bolts in the drilled hole located in the inner diameter of the top base
2. Ensure that bolts are inserted via the top face
3. Once performed, return the whole assembly, holding bolts with your hands
4. Insert nuts on each bolt
5. Give it punch with the wrench

That's it !

It is now time to merge the base top with the legs :

1. Notice the inter-space on each top base arm
2. Insert leg in the inter-space
   • Ensure nut washers are not jamming the insertion
3. Turn leg, half a turn to test the created pivot joints connection
   • It should be smooth, with no jamming

Connection is made but it now need to stay in place, let's add a clamping solution.

1. Position the leg perpendicular to the base as shown
2. Ensure the aluminium rod is well inserted in the inter-space
3. Place the remaining clamping piece to fill the inter-space
4. Turn back the leg to get assembly horizontal on table
5. Insert 2 bolts in the drilled hole passing through the clamping piece
6. Turn back the whole assembly and tight bolt with nut

Repeat the process for the 2 remaining leg and let's enjoy !

Here we are !

The tripod is ready to use, feel free to adjust the top base to fix whatever you wish.

I hope my writing was good enough (as a french writer) I try to be as much descriptive as I could.

Next step is a bonus, I add it to show you the original purpose of this design... And it might be a future subject for a future Instructable, who knows ?

Have fun,

David

Here is the initial purpose of the design. I tried to replicate a small refracting telescope with very low cost supplies (tube is made from cardboard). The overall looks pretty fine, and I was able to shoot the moon one time or two with a very blur image (I guess that's the point where low cost can no longer be a solution).

I hope to share with you the detail of this craft in a next instructable.

Thanks for reading, see you.