Building tripod stands

[Richard D]

Yep. Acme threads are what you need.

 

[metalhead212121]

one more question... can a machine shop cut ACME threads into something like this??

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cold-Rolled...246?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0ece055e

alan camby- sorry for the hi jack....

 

[Richard D]

Probably easier to mill flats on an existing acme threaded rod.

 

[MoonRise]

one more question... can a machine shop cut ACME threads into something like this??

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cold-Rolled...246?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0ece055e

alan camby- sorry for the hi jack....

Could a machine shop cut acme (or any other thread form) onto a flat bar?

Sure.

But why? You would have an "interrupted" thread form on the 'edges' of the flat bar. If trying to form the thread with a lathe, you'd have a big interrupted cut (cut metal, then get lots of air, then try and cut metal again, repeat) that is a bit tough on some tooling (as well as the slammin and jammin and crashin when the tool is first in metal and then a whole bunch of air and then tries to go back into metal, etc). A die would be a generally 'better' choice, as you then don't have the interrupted cut.

back to the OP:

Interesting and generally rather nice.

Only nitpick is if your 'camera' is mounted all the way at the edge of the pad/platform, then the non-centered load could be just a wee bit outside the 'footprint' of the tripod legs on the pair-of-legs side. Possible tip-over then. And you don't want your 'camera' to tip over. Centered load, no tip over. Off-center load with the pad lined up with the 'outboard' leg, no tip over. Off-center load directly opposite the 'outboard' leg, possible tip over.

If the maximum off-center load point on the platform is actually within the triangular footprint of the tripod base, then no tip over (straight vertical loading only, no side loads considered).

Just be careful as you don't want your 'camera' to tip over.

 

[brawls43]

Awesome build! Thanks for posting. I've been looking to make some of these as well.

 

[Lasu]

Looks good

I used 36x6 thread when i build ,a little overkill but works.
What ac uses?

10mm bolt next to the 36mm

 

[joeswamp]

Thanks for posting this, now I'm totally envious. I like how you were able to test them. You now have the nicest jackstands for probably a thousand mile radius from your house.

Someone mentioned boat stands before, I might look into these. You can get them with flat wooden tops for supporting the keel (these are known as "keel stands"). Here's what one looks like:

Supposed to be rated to 10,000 lbs and height ranges from 16-24". They cost $100 each which is pricey but not insanely so...

 

[alan camby]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone.

As far as the footprint of the tripod. My small stand has a larger fp then the current Esco's.

Mr. Metalhead... no harm done.

Mr. Lasu, thanks for the heads up on the AC stand thread size. I tried to figure out what they are using with no info found.


There is a good possibility i will complete the project this weekend.

 

[bad_idea]

Nice looking stands. I may have to add that to my to-do list. I recently did some work on my 02 Camaro on 4 stands. I grabbed a hold of the passenger rear stand to pull myself out from under the car and it moved! The car was stable, but it was only supported by the other three stands. It would be nice to have fine adjustment of the stands to take up for uneven floors.

Are you able to use the stand to lift the 'camera' higher while the weight is on the stand by cranking on the nut?

 

[alan camby]

Nice looking stands. I may have to add that to my to-do list. I recently did some work on my 02 Camaro on 4 stands. I grabbed a hold of the passenger rear stand to pull myself out from under the car and it moved! The car was stable, but it was only supported by the other three stands. It would be nice to have fine adjustment of the stands to take up for uneven floors.

Are you able to use the stand to lift the 'camera' higher while the weight is on the stand by cranking on the nut?

I have not had a chance to use them yet. Only one stand is complete with paint. As of today, all 4 stands are done minus paint. I don't see why the nut and threads could not lift lite weight items. This is not what i intend to use them for. I will use a jack and these will be holding only with some fine adjusting.



Update on project
The last 2 stands I used .035" wire instead of the .030" I used earlier.
I liked the way the thicker wire welded on this particular project. I did a destruction test of a weld with this wire first with good results. Just like the
.030" wire, the steel tore without the weld breaking.

Here are 2 of tonights welds

Here is stand #4 cooling in the jig.

 

[hypnolobster]

Nice looking stands. I may have to add that to my to-do list. I recently did some work on my 02 Camaro on 4 stands. I grabbed a hold of the passenger rear stand to pull myself out from under the car and it moved! The car was stable, but it was only supported by the other three stands. It would be nice to have fine adjustment of the stands to take up for uneven floors.

Are you able to use the stand to lift the 'camera' higher while the weight is on the stand by cranking on the nut?

4 stands on the frame of a car instead of on sprung axles is the reason screw jacks are so awesome. I have half a dozen pieces of steel of varying thicknesses, as well as some big oak blocking for when I put 4 stands under the body.
Jack it up, put the stands on it and then find the one or two stands that wiggle and shim them up, then walk around and try and move all 4 again. Repeat until wiggling goes away.

 

[kald]

Nice work Alan!! These and your ramps maybe on my next project list. If I can ever get any free time.

 

[akdiesel]

Those are incredible. Nice welds and very well thought out. I've seen lesser welds on production lifts.

 

[jdsac]

Very nice work! Did you look into scaffold jacks for the threaded part?
They are pretty cheap- somewhere they have the engenering (sp) specs

http://www.scaffoldmart.com/scaffold-jacks.html

 

[alan camby]

I think that is 1.25" rod.
You can get 6' of 1.25-5 Acme rod for $52.99. Which is more then enough to make 4 stands. I used 1.5-4 Acme and paid around $90 for 6' with a coupon (maybe it was called promo code)
If you look around for a Enco coupon, it can be had for less.
I prefer the hex nuts over the wing nut for a short stand like mine.

Thanks for the idea. This might help others.

 

[alan camby]

Very nice work! Did you look into scaffold jacks for the threaded part?
They are pretty cheap- somewhere they have the engenering (sp) specs

http://www.scaffoldmart.com/scaffold-jacks.html

Maybe I am missing something??
At the top of the linked page it says it fits #6 tube. At the bottom It says #5 tube.

I don't really know what #5 and #6 tube is anyhow.

 

[bluebolt]

Maybe I am missing something??
At the top of the linked page it says it fits #6 tube. At the bottom It says #5 tube.

I don't really know what #5 and #6 tube is anyhow.

The 1.375" is for #6 tube, the 1.25" is for #5 tube.

I found this for scaffold tube sizes, I assume these are outer diameters.

"Number 5: pin fits scaffold tube size 1-1/2"
•Number 6: pin fits scaffold tube size 1-5/8"
•Number 7: pin fits scaffold tube size 1-11/16"

 

[Richard D]

Scaffold jacks are a good idea, I would have thought they would be more expensive than that.

 

[alan camby]

All done.

Family Photo. They Grow up so fast.

 

[Twitchr]

Looks great man. Definitely going to be a project in my near future. I'll keep my eyes open for some cheap acme rod, or maybe salvage some from something else.

Did you ever think of salvaging ACME rod from those scissor jacks? Those are pretty thin diameter though. Maybe larger ones came in heavy vehicles?

 

[alan camby]

Looks great man. Definitely going to be a project in my near future. I'll keep my eyes open for some cheap acme rod, or maybe salvage some from something else.

Did you ever think of salvaging ACME rod from those scissor jacks? Those are pretty thin diameter though. Maybe larger ones came in heavy vehicles?

Thanks man

Never seen a jack with threads in the 1.5" size range.
I like to go all out on my projects.
I could have got 1.5" B7 threaded rod for free but wanted ACME for the fast thread pitch and heavy duty sides for wear againt the tube.

 

[Monte]

very nice result !!!

 

[KMinAF]

Here is a simple variation on the idea should you not want to go the threaded route:
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f195/best-jack-stands-weve-ever-used-99984/

 

[Twitchr]

Anyone ever thought of using these?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000760FWU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They say 6k rating, but still seem pretty weak.

 

[brawls43]

Anyone ever thought of using these?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000760FWU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They say 6k rating, but still seem pretty weak.

I saw these too. 4 for $45 seems like a good deal. For me, the 17" max height is too low.

I probably need to build my own like alan did. I like how beefy the 1.5" acme is.

 

[R6 Racer]

When i first started the project, I considered using 2" acme. There is quite a price jump from 1.5 to 2" though for both the rod and nuts. If someone wanted to use 1.25" rod, it is about 1/2 the price of the 1.5. I paid about $90 for the 6 foot of 1.5" and $10 for each nut. Source was Enco. I searched around and found a 13% off code for January.

I just priced 1.5" acme today here, it was $138.00 for 3', nuts were $12.00 ea.

I might be shopping in the wrong place but it seems that here in Canada we get burned at the retail level. Can anyone suggest a place in Port Huron / Fort Gratiot Mi. that might sell this stuff at a more reasonable price?

Steve

 

[alan camby]

I just priced 1.5" acme today here, it was $138.00 for 3', nuts were $12.00 ea.

I might be shopping in the wrong place but it seems that here in Canada we get burned at the retail level. Can anyone suggest a place in Port Huron / Fort Gratiot Mi. that might sell this stuff at a more reasonable price?

Steve

i just saw your PM and answered it.

 

[alan camby]

The threaded rod is Enco part #s

- 6 foot of 1.5-4 is BV408-0236 http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=408-0236&PMPXNO=2615051&PARTPG=INLMK32
- 3 foot of 1.5-4 is BV408-0216
- 1.5-4 nuts are BV407-2216

 

[LG63]

Very nice, your build threads are all excellent, not sure how I missed this one. You mentioned using .340 plate for the feet, I’ve never run across that thickness, is that a special size for a specific product or industry?

Unfortunately my camera has a fairly heavy flash on it so I’m not sure these would work for me.

 

[alan camby]

Very nice, your build threads are all excellent, not sure how I missed this one. You mentioned using .340 plate for the feet, I’ve never run across that thickness, is that a special size for a specific product or industry?

Unfortunately my camera has a fairly heavy flash on it so I’m not sure these would work for me.

The steel for the feet was industrial trash that came out of the factory that i used to work in. Seemed like normal mild steel. Drilled just fine. I Agree that it is a odd thickness.

Thanks, Alan

 

[willymakeit]

Thanks for the compliment

Small tripod complete Stand each 22.5lbs
Just the acme top assembly each 11lbs
Just the base tripod each 11.6

Large tripod complete Stand each 30.6lbs
Just the acme top assembly each 13.2lbs
Just the base tripod each 17.8lbs

yes i realise the numbers don't add up perfectly. I used a digital bathroom scale, weighted me with the item then subtracted my weight. The scale is a Walmart special.
I could have saved a bunch of weight by going with hollow tube and pins for the stand pedestal instead of the acme thread. Thought i would go all out though.
If for some reason I had to carry them a great distance, I could carry the base and top separately.

I have had a weight problem for years these stands will be lightweights compared to my ramps.

Any info on these ramps? I like what they look like.

 

[alan camby]

Any info on these ramps? I like what they look like.

Please remember I am a Hoosier redneck and my threads are for entertainment only.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178342

Thanks for looking

 

[Burgerkong]

Please remember I am a Hoosier redneck and my threads are for entertainment only.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178342

Thanks for looking

*Treads.

 

[Seiler]

steel tacked in jig

Love how the Jig rotates in the engine stand. Makes welding so easy.

I know I'm bumping an old thread… Stumbled upon this write-up somewhere on Pinterest after getting lost deeply.

I'm very much a fan of your stands. The craftsmanship and design is top notch! I'm more curious about the "jig" you used for the foundation. Do you have any more information on this? I scanned through the thread but didn't come across anything. That thing is awesome!

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Scott

 

[mdbeck1]

I know I'm bumping an old thread… Stumbled upon this write-up somewhere on Pinterest after getting lost deeply.

I'm very much a fan of your stands. The craftsmanship and design is top notch! I'm more curious about the "jig" you used for the foundation. Do you have any more information on this? I scanned through the thread but didn't come across anything. That thing is awesome!

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Scott

Go back to the first post. I think there is some text there stating that he is using a home-made jig that connects to an engine stand.

 

[iajonesy]

McMaster-Carr has 1.5 x 4tpi acme rod for about $21 a foot in 3 or 6 foot lengths and the nuts are $13. Just thought you'd want to know. What are the dimensions of the tri pods?

Mike

 

[Seiler]

Go back to the first post. I think there is some text there stating that he is using a home-made jig that connects to an engine stand.

I did notice where he mentions what you're referring to. I was looking for additional information, guess I should have been more up front with what I was looking for. I can't tell if it's a slab from an old piece of tooling/bench, or if it is simply a giant piece of 3" plate welded to an engine stand.

Scott

Edit: For example, in this picture there appears to be a tag of some sort affixed to the front of the slab.

 

[BFBOB]

You stack o' dimes guys really give me a pain.

...and something to aspire to

 

[Richard D]

Some of these may be the first welding project when I finish my new high tech fab table.

 

[bad_idea]

Umm... A camera tripod may not be a good idea for a first welding project. IF the stand were to fail due to poor welds, it could damage your camera or hurt someone.