FESTOOL DUO LIGHT on regular tripod

[Vladiator]

I'm about to buy a DUO LIGHT and while looking at it noticed it doesn't have a normal 1/4" tripod adapter mount and the tripod that comes with it doesn't have a 1/4" threaded bolt either.

While Festool sells a tripod for the DUO light that fits, it's 3 times the price of an average tripod, and that tripod can't be used for anything else, like lasers.

Did any of you try to mount the DUO light to a regular tripod, and if yes, how?

 

[rst]

I made a 3/8" polycarbonate base with 1/4" and 5/8" (camera and standard builders tripod threading).  I would be easy to make one from plywood also using threaded inserts.  Mine is plastic because sell and fabricate plastics.

 

[grobkuschelig]

I have neither used or investigated the syslite duo or the stand, but judging from the pics, it looks like a speaker stand for professional audio systems. Look up K&M stands or similar. Might be a nice (and also black alternative.

Not sure if the diameters fit.
What is the diameter on the syslite?

Edit: for the PA stands you can get cheap adapters to put other things on top...

 

[Pnw painter]

I've got a Duo as well as the Festool tripod. Compared to all the camera tripods I've owned, the Festool tripod is much more stout. Unless you have a large tripod meant for medium format or video work, I'd recommend that you purchase the Festool tripod.

I'm surprised that a 3rd party mfg hasn't come out with an adaptor that allows you to use traditional tripod mounts. As much as I like my Duo I'm guessing that the sales volume isn't huge.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lunchman]

I've had an extremely sturdy Craftsman tripod for a halogen light for many years, did not think it was necessary to buy the Festool tripod. But the connectors are very different (the Craftsman is not your typical camera mount). So I cobbled something together, it sure isn't the prettiest thing I've ever built, but it does the trick. (The halogen light is hanging on the wall in the dark background.)



The connector on the tripod, which pushes in to release -



The bottom of the mounting plate with a simple threaded rod inserted, which gets held in place securely on the tripod mount -



Putting the screws and wing nuts on takes a minute or two, but the setup allows me to make good use of the Duo. I've thought of adding another hinged board so I can aim the light downwards when needed. It gives off great light, but it's always upward.

-Dom

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have neither used or investigated the syslite duo or the stand, but judging from the pics, it looks like a speaker stand for professional audio systems. Look up K&M stands or similar. Might be a nice (and also black alternative.

Not sure if the diameters fit.
What is the diameter on the syslite?

Edit: for the PA stands you can get cheap adapters to put other things on top...

The Duo stand is a tripod speaker stand, well, sort of.  The industry standard is a 35mm mount, however, the mount on the Duo is smaller and won't fit a standard tripod.  This kind of proprietary system that Festool loves drives my crazy.  You can buy a low end speaker stand for 20-30 bucks that will work perfectly fine.  I can't see why anyone would spend $200 on a tripod to hold a job site light.  Do what I did, buy a cheap tripod and make your own adapter for 10%-15% of the Festool price.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I have neither used or investigated the syslite duo or the stand, but judging from the pics, it looks like a speaker stand for professional audio systems. Look up K&M stands or similar. Might be a nice (and also black alternative.

Not sure if the diameters fit.
What is the diameter on the syslite?

Edit: for the PA stands you can get cheap adapters to put other things on top...

The Duo stand is a tripod speaker stand, well, sort of.  The industry standard is a 35mm mount, however, the mount on the Duo is smaller and won't fit a standard tripod.  This kind of proprietary system that Festool loves drives my crazy.  You can buy a low end speaker stand for 20-30 bucks that will work perfectly fine.  I can't see why anyone would spend $200 on a tripod to hold a job site light.  Do what I did, buy a cheap tripod and make your own adapter for 10%-15% of the Festool price.

I wasn't aware of this and had to look it up. "The 1-3/8” (35mm) upper shaft is compatible with virtually all current pole-mount speakers." The item I copied that text from costs less than $24 but it only rises to 4 feet.

Seem to recall reading that it's somehow bad for the DUO Light to point down. Heat accumulation?

 

[PeterK]

So what exactly is the required pole diameter to fit the DUO socket?

 

[BJM9818]

I purchased the Duo and tripod back in February.

I was against ordering the tripod at first but for the $70 savings I figured I might as well purchase it.  After years of using those crappy Home Depot lights I can truly say this light is long awaited answer.

The tripod is overbuilt to say the least. At $135 additional when purchased with the Duo I think it's a steal.

Just my $.02.

 

[grobkuschelig]

The Duo stand is a tripod speaker stand, well, sort of.  The industry standard is a 35mm mount, however, the mount on the Duo is smaller and won't fit a standard tripod.  This kind of proprietary system that Festool loves drives my crazy.  You can buy a low end speaker stand for 20-30 bucks that will work perfectly fine.  I can't see why anyone would spend $200 on a tripod to hold a job site light.  Do what I did, buy a cheap tripod and make your own adapter for 10%-15% of the Festool price.

Hi Bryce, do you have the measurements from the syslite stand?

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but if you look at the feet-mechanics/stand of the K&M 21435, it is definitely the base for the festool stand. (plastics and how the support braces are anchored.
But Festool definitely uses an older, "low-range" locking mechanism on the extender pole. You should be easily able to just adapt to the festool syslite size with a "coupler" of sorts, changing the pole diameters.

K&M is a renown German stand manufacturer (speakers, miss etc.) So it would just be reasonable and the right partner for such a product. At least for me, the German...  8) [dead horse]

 

[grobkuschelig]

Me again.  [big grin]  [doh]

Did not look right. There is actually a K&M (König & Meyer, btw.) stand 21420, which features a 25mm pole. (50€ list price, can be had for 40€ in Germany)
Might fit, if someone can provide measurements of the sys-lite duo stand adapter/stand diameter.

Hope this helps.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I remember someone else speculating that the stand was a rebadged K&M.  I don't recall the size of the pole/mount but I think it was 32mm or 33mm.  When I get a chance I'll measure my Duo.

 

[Laminator]

I cut the threaded end of a plastic paint roller frame handle off and sanded it until it pressed tightly into the duo socket.  I screw a 4' to 8' fiberglass paint roller handle into the duo and raise it up and let it lean into a corner of the wall.  It takes 60 seconds to set up or take down and is 99% out of the way.  I also use a 2' to 4' fiberglass paint roller handle that fits into a socket I made in the top of my work center which raises the light up to 8' while easily lowering to roll through a doorway.  This setup also takes up no floor space and takes about 60 seconds or less to set up and take down.    The two fiberglass poles take up almost no room in the van.  If I ever needed the light to be higher up, they do make longer paint roller handles but I don't think I'll ever need one.

I accidentally received a tripod that i didn't order so I got to check it out before I sent it back.  It is definitely very robust heavy duty equipment.  Its heavy and kind of bulky and didn't raise the light high enough for me.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I remember someone else speculating that the stand was a rebadged K&M.  I don't recall the size of the pole/mount but I think it was 32mm or 33mm.  When I get a chance I'll measure my Duo.

The hole/mount on the Duo is 32mm.

 

[PeterK]

Thanks Brice!

 

[The.Handyman]

Just saw this after I finally decided to post my solution. See the thread I started for more details.

 

[Vladiator]

Lots of interesting replies here.. so K&M stand can't be used.. it looks like festool changed the tube diameter to 32 mm and not 35.

 

[yetihunter]

The two K&M stands that the Festool version seems to be an amalgam of are
about $170 a pop (here in the US).  So, not really much point in worrying about it.
I initially pointed it out because I figured some of the foggers probably have a speaker stand lying around. 

 

[Nat X]

I don't own a Duo so I may be missing something, but the world is absolutely full of tripod socket adaptors for various gigantic view cameras and bits of lighting equipment of differing vintages. I find it hard to believe that it's really that difficult to find anything to fit here. Even if it doesn't exist on the market today, most quick release plates are nothing but threaded rods poking through a very sizeable hole held in place by a retaining washer. Pull the washer out, put the right sized rod in and call it a day.

And ~$100 for a reasonably sturdy tripod is absolutely dirt cheap. Try shopping at camera stores instead of Home Depot.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I don't own a Duo so I may be missing something, but the world is absolutely full of tripod socket adaptors for various gigantic view cameras and bits of lighting equipment of differing vintages. I find it hard to believe that it's really that difficult to find anything to fit here. Even if it doesn't exist on the market today, most quick release plates are nothing but threaded rods poking through a very sizeable hole held in place by a retaining washer. Pull the washer out, put the right sized rod in and call it a day.

And ~$100 for a reasonably sturdy tripod is absolutely dirt cheap. Try shopping at camera stores instead of Home Depot.

You are missing something.  The Duo has an oddball mount, nothing you can buy fits it (other than Festool's tripod). 

~$100 might be dirt cheap for a professional grade tripod, although Festool's is $200. However, it is completely unnecessary when a $20-$30 speaker stand will work, with a little work around from you.