My new DIY Shoulder Mount at DVinfo.net

James Stone · October 5th, 2007, 12:09 PM

Hello folks,

A couple of years ago, I made a should mount that was made of metal pipe. It worked okay but it was a tad heavy. So on the insistence of my co worker, I decided to take the plunge and build a new one out of aluminum.

The whole thing cost about $90.00 US. Here's what I used and where I got them.

1 piece @ $16.34/piece
Aluminum 6061-T6 Bare
Drawn Tube
0.625" x 0.125" x 0.375"
Cut to: 24"

1 piece @ $20.99/piece
Aluminum 6061-T6
Seamless Tube
0.875" x 0.125" x 0.625"
Cut to: 36"

total with shipping about $41.00

(6) Aluminum split shaft collars from Mcmasters & Carr = $32.00

4' of 3/8" Aluminum rod from Orchard supply hardware = $7.00

3 qtsf of foam padding from OSH = $3.50

1 can of Duplicolor MetalCast Blue "Anodized" spray paint = $7.00

1 can of Black Plasticoat from OSH = $7.00

(4) Aluminum electrical lugs to use as mounting brackets = free from work.

I was able to save money from by getting the aluminum sheets from work and cutting them down to size there. I also had my friend weld the pieces together at work. If I were to do it again, I would get a drill press and drill/tap the pieces together instead of welding them.

So after three weeks of using company time to put it together here's what I came up with. It took a lot of polishing to get the shine.

I just finished it last night, so I haven't had a chance to field test it yet. Let me know what you guys think.

James

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...unt/smfront.jp
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...upper-back.jpg
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...ercarriage.jpg
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...ount-mount.jpg
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...lower-back.jpg
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...ount-front.jpg

Peter Ralph · October 6th, 2007, 09:00 AM

nice job - I think you copied the Birns and Sawyer image2000 unit?

What camera are you using it with?

James Stone · October 8th, 2007, 09:10 AM

Hey Peter, Yeah the Image 2000 was my inspiration for it. I just couldn't justify the cost of a new one. We plan on using a DVX100b and an XL2 with it.

Peter Ralph · October 8th, 2007, 01:31 PM

I use an image2000 with an XLH1 - works great. I dont have any use for the handles though. I'm thinking of making another one with just the shoulder rest and a fixed position tongue sticking out the front custom fit to the XLH1 and a quickrelease.

thanks for the hardware links - I'm always imagining things I want to build....

Edward Carlson · October 17th, 2007, 07:29 PM

Very nice. I am also planning on making one. My idea is inspired by the Birns and Sawyer model, too. My version will probably be put together with drilling and tapping because I just learned how to (after breaking two taps!) and because I don't have any welding equipment. I like your tubular design for the hand grips, so I'll probably change my design to that. Love the blue anodized look, I couldn't even tell it was spray paint!

P.S.: My design is attached.

James Stone · October 19th, 2007, 11:28 AM

Ok here goes version 2. I bought myself a Craftsman powder coating gun and re-finished it. I also had to trim some off the shoulder piece to make it fit in the toaster oven. I also but a bend in the handles so that they flare out a bit. My friend is field testing it today on a shoot so I'm sure V 2.1a is right around the corner. Oh and the nut in the top is just keeping the mounting screw there so I don't loose it.

Let me know what you guys think.

James

Martin Catt · October 20th, 2007, 05:13 PM

Looks good from this distance. If you're married, I'm sure your wife appreciated you using the toaster oven, and not the big one in the kitchen.

Martin

James Stone · October 20th, 2007, 07:31 PM

finance, doesn't know about the powder coat gun and I made sure to buy my own toaster oven. The thought did cross my mind to use the house one, but I really don't want to tempt fate. Plus I'd have to bake like five cakes just to cover the smell.

James

Martin Catt · October 20th, 2007, 07:36 PM

So, I have to ask: how much was the powder coat gun? It sounds like something I should own.

Martin

James Stone · October 20th, 2007, 07:42 PM

I got it at a flea market for $60.00. It came with a half bag of satin black and a bag of red.

I was about to get one off of Ebay, but was out bid. I've seen them go for about 90.00 there. The toaster oven I got for 25.00 after my 20% off coupon from Beds, Bath and Beyond.

October 5th, 2007, 12:09 PM	#1
James Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 40	My new DIY Shoulder Mount Hello folks, A couple of years ago, I made a should mount that was made of metal pipe. It worked okay but it was a tad heavy. So on the insistence of my co worker, I decided to take the plunge and build a new one out of aluminum. The whole thing cost about $90.00 US. Here's what I used and where I got them. 1 piece @ $16.34/piece Aluminum 6061-T6 Bare Drawn Tube 0.625" x 0.125" x 0.375" Cut to: 24" 1 piece @ $20.99/piece Aluminum 6061-T6 Seamless Tube 0.875" x 0.125" x 0.625" Cut to: 36" total with shipping about $41.00 (6) Aluminum split shaft collars from Mcmasters & Carr = $32.00 4' of 3/8" Aluminum rod from Orchard supply hardware = $7.00 3 qtsf of foam padding from OSH = $3.50 1 can of Duplicolor MetalCast Blue "Anodized" spray paint = $7.00 1 can of Black Plasticoat from OSH = $7.00 (4) Aluminum electrical lugs to use as mounting brackets = free from work. I was able to save money from by getting the aluminum sheets from work and cutting them down to size there. I also had my friend weld the pieces together at work. If I were to do it again, I would get a drill press and drill/tap the pieces together instead of welding them. So after three weeks of using company time to put it together here's what I came up with. It took a lot of polishing to get the shine. I just finished it last night, so I haven't had a chance to field test it yet. Let me know what you guys think. James http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...unt/smfront.jp http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...upper-back.jpg http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...ercarriage.jpg http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...ount-mount.jpg http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...lower-back.jpg http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...ount-front.jpg

October 17th, 2007, 07:29 PM	#5
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	Very nice. I am also planning on making one. My idea is inspired by the Birns and Sawyer model, too. My version will probably be put together with drilling and tapping because I just learned how to (after breaking two taps!) and because I don't have any welding equipment. I like your tubular design for the hand grips, so I'll probably change my design to that. Love the blue anodized look, I couldn't even tell it was spray paint! P.S.: My design is attached. Attached Thumbnails

October 19th, 2007, 11:28 AM	#6
James Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 40	Ok here goes version 2. I bought myself a Craftsman powder coating gun and re-finished it. I also had to trim some off the shoulder piece to make it fit in the toaster oven. I also but a bend in the handles so that they flare out a bit. My friend is field testing it today on a shoot so I'm sure V 2.1a is right around the corner. Oh and the nut in the top is just keeping the mounting screw there so I don't loose it. Let me know what you guys think. James Attached Thumbnails

October 20th, 2007, 05:13 PM	#7
Martin Catt Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Colony TX Posts: 327	Looks good from this distance. If you're married, I'm sure your wife appreciated you using the toaster oven, and not the big one in the kitchen. Martin __________________ Canon XF300, Canon 5DMkII, Canon XL2, Rolls MX422 mixer, Zoom H4N, AT899 lavs, AT2020's, Azden SGM 1X shotgun, Manfrotto 501 head on 351 tripod

October 20th, 2007, 07:36 PM	#9
Martin Catt Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Colony TX Posts: 327	So, I have to ask: how much was the powder coat gun? It sounds like something I should own. Martin __________________ Canon XF300, Canon 5DMkII, Canon XL2, Rolls MX422 mixer, Zoom H4N, AT899 lavs, AT2020's, Azden SGM 1X shotgun, Manfrotto 501 head on 351 tripod

October 6th, 2007, 09:00 AM	#2
Peter Ralph Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Denver/Vail Colorado Posts: 254	nice job - I think you copied the Birns and Sawyer image2000 unit? What camera are you using it with?

October 8th, 2007, 09:10 AM	#3
James Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 40	Hey Peter, Yeah the Image 2000 was my inspiration for it. I just couldn't justify the cost of a new one. We plan on using a DVX100b and an XL2 with it.

October 8th, 2007, 01:31 PM	#4
Peter Ralph Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Denver/Vail Colorado Posts: 254	I use an image2000 with an XLH1 - works great. I dont have any use for the handles though. I'm thinking of making another one with just the shoulder rest and a fixed position tongue sticking out the front custom fit to the XLH1 and a quickrelease. thanks for the hardware links - I'm always imagining things I want to build....

October 20th, 2007, 07:31 PM	#8
James Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 40	finance, doesn't know about the powder coat gun and I made sure to buy my own toaster oven. The thought did cross my mind to use the house one, but I really don't want to tempt fate. Plus I'd have to bake like five cakes just to cover the smell. James

October 20th, 2007, 07:42 PM	#10
James Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 40	I got it at a flea market for $60.00. It came with a half bag of satin black and a bag of red. I was about to get one off of Ebay, but was out bid. I've seen them go for about 90.00 there. The toaster oven I got for 25.00 after my 20% off coupon from Beds, Bath and Beyond.