building spreaders-need parts at DVinfo.net

Samuel Hinterlang · March 22nd, 2008, 01:15 AM

I built a tripod, sort of. I used a survey tripod for the legs and adapted it to fit a head. I needed something to hold my jib and didn't want to spend over $1000 just for that one purpose.

Now I need to make a set of spreaders for the thing. I know how I'll do it. But the one part I need, I don't know what to call it to find it.

I need to find metal bars that have a slot down the middle. You know, like what most spreaders have.

Pounding at google for two hours now with no answer get a bit frustrating.

Thanks for any help on this.

Alan Craig · March 22nd, 2008, 01:41 AM

I don't know where you would buy such a piece of aluminium because they would be specially manufactured for tripod makers but a cheap solution might be to use some strong cord tied from leg to leg to stop them spreading.

Alan

Samuel Hinterlang · March 22nd, 2008, 01:48 AM

Spreading isn't the actual problem, strangely enough. The real problem is being able to get the whole thing level quickly. I want to mark off points so that all the legs will be evenly spread.

Cheap isn't really a huge requirement either, just not expensive is the key. I'd buy some spreaders if I knew they'd work with my feet, but I don't wanna waist $200 on a guess from a picture.

My big thing is finding what that type of metal is called.

March 22nd, 2008, 01:15 AM	#1
Samuel Hinterlang Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts: 79	building spreaders-need parts I built a tripod, sort of. I used a survey tripod for the legs and adapted it to fit a head. I needed something to hold my jib and didn't want to spend over $1000 just for that one purpose. Now I need to make a set of spreaders for the thing. I know how I'll do it. But the one part I need, I don't know what to call it to find it. I need to find metal bars that have a slot down the middle. You know, like what most spreaders have. Pounding at google for two hours now with no answer get a bit frustrating. Thanks for any help on this.

March 22nd, 2008, 01:41 AM	#2
Alan Craig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Warrington England Posts: 143	I don't know where you would buy such a piece of aluminium because they would be specially manufactured for tripod makers but a cheap solution might be to use some strong cord tied from leg to leg to stop them spreading. Alan

March 22nd, 2008, 01:48 AM	#3
Samuel Hinterlang Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts: 79	Spreading isn't the actual problem, strangely enough. The real problem is being able to get the whole thing level quickly. I want to mark off points so that all the legs will be evenly spread. Cheap isn't really a huge requirement either, just not expensive is the key. I'd buy some spreaders if I knew they'd work with my feet, but I don't wanna waist $200 on a guess from a picture. My big thing is finding what that type of metal is called.