Leg removal end caps

[guitarpreston]

I had been tinkering with the idea of removing some lower sections on a tripod. The lower sections are 4.4oz each. Nearly a pound cut is pretty significant to me. When I was out running some errands I ran by Walmart and grabbed some 1-1/8 chair leg caps to go over the ends and while they fit pretty well, they weigh 1.7oz each so it cuts my weight savings by nearly 40%.
Those of you that have done it, were there any lighter options you found?

 

[ElDiablito]

Following….

 

[Green-Up]

I had been tinkering with the idea of removing some lower sections on a tripod. The lower sections are 4.4oz each. Nearly a pound cut is pretty significant to me. When I was out running some errands I ran by Walmart and grabbed some 1-1/8 chair leg caps to go over the ends and while they fit pretty well, they weigh 1.7oz each so it cuts my weight savings by nearly 40%.
Those of you that have done it, were there any lighter options you found?

RRS sells caps for this purpose. I think they're around 0.5 oz or so. As you can imagine, they're $$$.

 

[guitarpreston]

RRS sells caps for this purpose. I think they're around 0.5 oz or so. As you can imagine, they're $$$.

Had saw those. Not sure if leofoto and rrs use the same thread pitch

 

[Green-Up]

Had saw those. Not sure if leofoto and rrs use the same thread pitch

Yeah, unfortunately I can't help with that part.

 

[grfox92]

I glued chair bottoms to the bottom of my tripod 2 years ago with a dab of gorilla glue and they are still running strong.

If the weight is really an issue just take a leak next to your truck at the trail head and you just made up for it.

 

[ElDiablito]

If the weight is really an issue just take a leak next to your truck at the trail head and you just made up for it.

 

[guitarpreston]

I think I can pee more than that if I’m being honest

 

[grfox92]

View attachment 1085175

Ill be completely honest, I had no idea this thread was even in the Lightweight section

 

[Bbrinks]

Can you measure the OD of the leg section? I can print 3d print some for you out of TPU which would save a bunch of weight and still be flexible/grippy

 

[guitarpreston]

Can you measure the OD of the leg section? I can print 3d print some for you out of TPU which would save a bunch of weight and still be flexible/grippy

Depending on what section it is, it’s either m30 or 32x1.25. I looked all over for some sort of cap with that thread pitch with no luck but printed would be sick!
I got some chair leg caps that are ok but not great. But they’re .6oz each

 

[Bbrinks]

Can you take a picture of the leg section without the cap on it?

 

[guitarpreston]

Can you take a picture of the leg section without the cap on it?

Here ya go

 

[Bbrinks]

Let me take a look. Probably M30x1.5 right?

 

[guitarpreston]

Let me take a look. Probably M30x1.5 right?

Nope. Bought a thread pitch gauge 2 days ago to double check. M30x1.25

 

[Bbrinks]

Should be pretty straightforward, I think it would probably be a thin PETG or ASA insert for the threads and then the TPU would cover it and then just use super glue to adhere them together. How long are the threads?

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I kinda wanna do this with my silk. I always glass sitting anyways and I’m short. Tempted to pull the 2 lower legs and worst case heat shrink or electrical tape the threads.

 

[guitarpreston]

Should be pretty straightforward, I think it would probably be a thin PETG or ASA insert for the threads and then the TPU would cover it and then just use super glue to adhere them together. How long are the threads?

That’s pretty slick to be able to design and print that. What program are you using to draw?

 

[Bbrinks]

Yeah, if the threads don’t work I could probably make the whole thing from TPU and add in some barbed features to grip into the threads.

For design I use Creo mainly. Been using it for 20+ years, want to get into solidworks at some point though

 

[guitarpreston]

That would be cool!