SO I was trying to take pictures of the stuff I have been making.. and decided to make a camera mount.
I was explaining what my idea was to our 14 year old son, and the ideas were flowing.. he was helping build the idea... and the need for more complexity came further and further into play.. and what we ended up with is a little complex..... BUt it should likely work out ok.
In essence.. I have a 0.75 steel rod I am going to cut some threads into, and screw it to a magnetic base, like those for a dial indicator.
What we came up with is several small square blocks of steel with a hole drilled, and a slot cut so they are adjustable. With each pair of blocks attached to each other you will form a simple joint o sorts, and be able to adjust the angles fairly widely.
Anyhow.. here are some pics.
(I still need to go get a base, and use the damn thing)
Oldest son lining up the drill bit to the marked holes in the stock we were cutting the joints out of.

Another shot of my oldest lining up another hole.... And you can see the rod sticking out... that is a "precision" parallel I had.. which consists of a section of threaded rod, with a large long.. nut on it. That happens to bring the metal up to a point it is repeatable, and level.

Lightening holes in it.. ahem

Hacking em out with the band saw...

Parts cut up... Large one doesnt have the slot cut yet.. because it needs to be bored out to 3/4.

My first REAL boring attempt. Well it wasnt an attempt.. I bored a 0.50 hole to 0.75. SO It wasnt an attempt.

OH YEAH... Notice its in the 4 Jaw.. and Off center???

Another shot of the boring parts. ;) Better shot of the 4 Jaw, and the part being off center. (On purpose)

Tada!!!!

Power Tapping

Yes I power tap that stuff.. its mild steel.. with lube, drilled properly. I figure if I can power tap stainless with the libe and stuff, I can power tap mild steel. ANd it tapped into it like butter. I power in, in back gear slow..a bit to get started.. back it out by hand, then manually get it back in the groove, and a turn or two.. then kick on the power again after adding lube. Go about half depth. Then back out some, clean with brush, re-lube, and power back in. Makes nice clean smooth threads. (Not sure if thats right.. but it works LOL)

Parts test fit..

Assembled after slight blingification on the buffer. The blocks are not stainless so I need to shine em up a bit! SO they dont rust. <WINK>
The rods are stainless.. and of course.. a polish was thrown on them as well.
OH and the tapping... went very nicely now that I used the Die the correct way..


I will post a pic of it set up once I get the base tomorrow (fingers crossed that Im not sicker)