Clever Mount Type

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Hi guys</p>

<p>I've started using a mobility scooter sometimes due to health problems and I want to find a way to mount the centre column of my Giotto GTMT 9340B tripod on the handlebars.</p>

<p>Point is that I’ve got three tripods, one at home, and two in the car (light and heavy) and I never have to change the mounting plate on the bottom of my camera because I’ve got the same pistol grip tripod head which I find really versatile and easy to use on each of my tripod’s centre columns. Just taking the centre column out of my lightweight tripod and mounting it on the handlebars and then putting it back again when I’m finished will be very easy.</p>

<p>All I need to do this is a simple right angle metal mount / bracket with two round apertures at right angles to each other but I can’t find one.</p>

<p>I've found velcro ones like these:</p>

<p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/lockblock-velcro-mount-bike-cycle-handlebar-light-torch-/290540597339?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item43a591b05b">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/lockblock-velcro-mount-bike-cycle-handlebar-light-torch-/290540597339?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item43a591b05b</a></p>

<p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UltraFireLED-Cycle-Light-Handlebar-Mount-Clamp-4-99-/150573252060?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item230edd7ddc">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UltraFireLED-Cycle-Light-Handlebar-Mount-Clamp-4-99-/150573252060?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item230edd7ddc</a></p>

<p>but I can't find anything solid enough to take the weight of a few kilograms of heavy camera equipment – does anybody know of something suitable please?</p>

<p>Thanks and regards, Arch</p>

[robertbanks]

<p>could you use some kind of clamp to which you could attach a compatible Giottos head?<br>

Something like the Manfrotto superclamp.</p>

[Mattman944]

<p>For something cheap, 2 hose clamps looped together at right angles might work. Wrap the handlebars with tape first to prevent scratching.</p>

<p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-Qty-Standard-Hose-Clamps-11-16-1-1-4-12-2368-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19c3422d3aQQitemZ110650076474QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-Qty-Standard-Hose-Clamps-11-16-1-1-4-12-2368-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19c3422d3aQQitemZ110650076474QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories</a></p>

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Thanks Rob, unfortunately that wouldn't work because I need the centre column as it could be raised up and down on the handlebars to get height otherwise the mobility scooter itself might obtrude into the shot.</p>

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Thanks Mathew - that might work. I'll be trying that unless I find some better solution - I can't believe there isn't something else out there somewhere specifically designed to hold two metal bars next to each other at right angles - I just can't find or figure what it would normally be used for.</p>

<p>I'm off to lunch to think more on it....</p>

[robertbanks]

<p>Hi Arch, I see! Found something called a "table attached centre post" on Manfrotto's website, there is also an air damped version. Not sure if the table clamp will work on handle bars...<br>

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/8374.77458.76892.0.0/131TC/_/Table_Attached_Centre_Post</p>

<p>I don't expect its cheap mind.</p>

 

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Thanks, the table clamp is probably not ideal for fixing to the round handlebar tube as you suggest - nice try though, I'm going to have a look at cycling parts next and see if I can't find something there, - some handlebar stems might be suitable I think - if only the diameters are correct...</p>

<p>maybe plumbing materials too, not sure...</p>

<p>maybe I'll take a wander around a diy store...</p>

<p>if not, it's the hose clips</p>

[ronin1]

Check out the mount here....

 

http://www.mountnmover.com/index.htm

 

It's pricy but might give you ideas.

 

There's also a blog that explores adaptive equipment for Photographers.

 

http://rollingfstop.blogspot.com/

 

Hope this helps.

[Mattman944]

<p>Or, maybe use the velcro mount you found but replace the velcro with hose clamps.</p>

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Thanks Ronin</p>

<p>The website at http://rollingfstop.blogspot.com/ looks interesting - I'll be reading more of it later when I have time.</p>

<p>The product at http://www.blueskydesigns.us/ looks like a cool product and I'm going to keep it in mind for future uses but it's a bit overkill and expensive for this right now.</p>

<p>Regards, Arch</p>

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Mathew</p>

<p>I'm about to order the velcro mount and the hose clips - I'll try it and see how confident I feel about putting 2k worth of kit on it.</p>

<p>Would like an easier way to move the centre column up and down but it may be ok.</p>

<p>I like your thinking - holding two round bars at right angles is a simple requirement so there ought to be a simple solution.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help, regards, Arch</p>

[jim_momary]

<p>How about the industrial Swiss Army knife for railings ...<br>

In the US it's generically called "SpeedRail" ...<br>

see this page and then go to the next pages (1915-1919)<br>

<a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/#speed-rails/=bhpovx">http://www.mcmaster.com/#speed-rails/=bhpovx</a><br>

I've used it for industrial railings, for equipment 'skeletons' and for anything that needs basic racking. Note the diameters listed for proper fit. The stuff is strong enough to hang hundreds of pounds on. You could replace the set screws that tighten them with wing nuts if needed.</p>

<p>Rube Goldberg would be proud of ya :o)</p>

 

[dbcooper]

<p>How about using a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546371-REG/Manfrotto_035_035_Super_Clamp_without.html">super clamp</a> with a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554347-REG/Manfrotto_208_208_3_8_Head_Mounting.html">head mounting plate</a>? I use the rig for mounting to metal handrail or small bore pipe...there's no reason it wouldn't work with handlebars. You could just swap over your pistol grip head and keep the camera plate the same as you have it now. It'd be plenty secure. They also make a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325437-REG/Manfrotto_038_038_Double_Super_Clamp.html">double super clamp</a> that would work with your center column.</p>

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Hi Jim</p>

<p>That looks promising too - I'm gonna double check the diameters tomorrow as I could use something like that if the handlebars and the centre column are the same diameter - there's lots of parts on that site to consider.</p>

<p>Thanks, Arch</p>

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Hi D.B.</p>

<p>Did you read that book I recommended to you yet? 'Made in America' by Bill Bryson - hope you found it interesting if you did.</p>

<p>Your suggestion would work but I'm trying to keep the centre column from the tripod for added height and to avoid unscrewing my pistol grip head or buying another pistol grip head as the head has come loose before so best to leave it alone.</p>

<p>I'm off to kip now, will check on posts tomorrow - have a good evening, Arch</p>

<p>P.S. Just found these amazing images of space - maybe you'll all like them: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/</p>

[dbcooper]

<p>Hi Arch. Actually, I'm currently reading the book, and am at the bit about how the motion picture business in Hollywood got going. I'm really enjoying it, and I do find it interesting - thanks for the recommendation!</p>

<p>That third part I mentioned above would utilize your center column without dismounting the pistol grip head as long as the handlebar and center column are both between 1/2" and 2 1/8" diameters (13 to 53mm). Not completely inexpensive, but definitely sturdy.</p>

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Yes D.B. so it is, I didn't look properly yesterday as I was just about to go to bed - thanks for that.</p>

<p>The Manfrotto double super clamp is probably the best thing for the job because it's quick release. It's a bit more money though...</p>

<p>This is a great forum, started with no ideas, now I have several.</p>

<p>Been too busy to fart the last few days. I'll mull it over and order something when I have more time and less indecision!</p>

<p>Lovely day here in the UK today - Spring has arrived - lots of photos to be enjoyed.</p>

<p>Thanks for all your help everyone, regards, Arch</p>

[arch_stanton1]

<p>Just to conclude what I did in case anyone else finds this post and has a similar need and wonders how to proceed, I went with two wingspade jubilee clips and some tape in the end - at £2.50 in cost it works fine as long as I don't raise the tripod centre column really high in which case it'd possibly wobble in the wind - it's important to buy the right size jubilee clips as the first set I bought were too big - only 5mm or 10mm makes a difference to how tight (circular) they'll stay. I suspect I may end up upgrading to the Manfrotto double super clamp eventually as that was made for the job and will surely be more solid, but it's 20 times the cost of what I did so more testing is needed before taking the plunge.</p>