DIY Bottle Cap Tripod
These step-by-step instructions for creating a digital camera tripod from a Pepsi bottle are inspired by the Bottle Cap Tripod for Digital Camera From Japan as featured in Gizmodo.
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Master parts list:
- 1 1/4-inch Stainless steel washer
- 1 1/4-20x1 1/2-inch stainless steel pan head machine screw
- 1 1/4-20 Bar Knob
- 1 1/4-20 stainless steel lock nut
- 1 lid from a 20oz bottle
Tools required:
- Drill with 1/4-inch bit
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
All parts for the project were purchased at Lowes. Total cost is $3.37, not including the Pepsi.
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Step 1: Drill a hole in the center of the bottle cap using a 1/4-inch drill bit.
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Step 2: Insert the washer in the bottle cap. This helps stabilize and strengthen the bottle cap.
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Step 3: Insert the screw in the bottle cap, until the pan head is flush against the washer.
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Step 4: Tighten the lock nut until it is firmly secured against the top of the bottle cap. The lock nut prevents the machine screw from turning while using the tripod.
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Step 5: Twist the bar knob on the screw until it's flush against the top of the bottle cap.
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Step 6: Connect your DIY tripod to the base of the camera, then screw the cap down on the bottle. The bottle should contain some amount of liquid to counterbalance the weight of the camera. For additional stability, place a second washer between the bar knob and the camera.
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Below is my original concept, which was later modified to the version above because the machine screw spun on the bottle cap prior to putting the locking nut on top of the cap. You can also see some inspired variations of DIY tripod mounts for bicycles:
Mounting a Camera on Your Bike
Bicycle Camera Mount
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Master parts list:
- 1 1/4-inch Stainless steel washer
- 1 1/4-20x1 1/2-inch stainless steel pan head machine screw
- 1 1/4-20 Bar Knob
- 1 1/4-20 stainless steel lock nut
- 1 lid from a 20oz bottle
Tools required:
- Drill with 1/4-inch bit
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
All parts for the project were purchased at Lowes. Total cost is $3.37, not including the Pepsi.
|
|
|
Step 1: Drill a hole in the center of the bottle cap using a 1/4-inch drill bit.
|
|
|
Step 2: Insert the washer in the bottle cap. This helps stabilize and strengthen the bottle cap.
|
|
Step 3: Turn the nut on the machine screw until it's tightened flat against the screw head.
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Step 4: Insert the screw in the bottle cap. Tighten until the top of the nut is snug against the washer.
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Step 5: Twist the bar knob on the screw until it's flush against the top of the bottle cap.
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Step 6: Connect your DIY tripod to the base of the camera, then screw the cap down on the bottle. The bottle should contain some amount of liquid to counterbalance the weight of the camera. For additional stability, place a second washer between the bar knob and the camera.
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The great thing about the bottle cap tripod is it easily fits in a pocket of your camera pouch (or in your pocket) and is compatible with virtually any 20oz bottle from any manufacturer. For larger cameras, a 2 Liter bottle may provide more effective counter balance.
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