Rod
Old Oak
Having finally bought a monopod that was satisfactorily stable I came across a YouTube video on making a cheap version.
The Manfrotto base I bought works very well but is a bit tedious in setting up - you have to unscrew the base/legs from the tube support, extend them, then screw then back in.
The original one I bought was much slicker but was not very stable in use - it also costs £95!
The Chinese copies cost £11 and also feature a locking nut to prevent movement, something the Manfrotto one didn't have as it was a fluid base.
The video also uses a cheap monopod leg which is fixed permanently into the base using expoxy paste/cement.
The feet base has a 21mm diam hole with M10 threaded bolt protruding about 10mm from the base and the Velbon pod I bought for £18 had a M8 threaded spike.
I didn't have any steel to hand but found a small length of 20mm brass rod which I threaded with M10 at one end and M8 at the other.
The brass was then screwed and expoxy resin glued into the base.
The pod leg then screws into the base allowing it to be used for other purposes (walking pole) if required.
Ignoring the brass, total cost £29 compared to £139.
Not quite as stable as my expensive one but much lighter at 750grm and much slicker to use.
An ideal tool for all you video makers?
The Manfrotto base I bought works very well but is a bit tedious in setting up - you have to unscrew the base/legs from the tube support, extend them, then screw then back in.
The original one I bought was much slicker but was not very stable in use - it also costs £95!
The Chinese copies cost £11 and also feature a locking nut to prevent movement, something the Manfrotto one didn't have as it was a fluid base.
The video also uses a cheap monopod leg which is fixed permanently into the base using expoxy paste/cement.
The feet base has a 21mm diam hole with M10 threaded bolt protruding about 10mm from the base and the Velbon pod I bought for £18 had a M8 threaded spike.
I didn't have any steel to hand but found a small length of 20mm brass rod which I threaded with M10 at one end and M8 at the other.
The brass was then screwed and expoxy resin glued into the base.
The pod leg then screws into the base allowing it to be used for other purposes (walking pole) if required.
Ignoring the brass, total cost £29 compared to £139.
Not quite as stable as my expensive one but much lighter at 750grm and much slicker to use.
An ideal tool for all you video makers?
