Syslite docking tripod

[Neathawk Designs]

New Design Idea...

I'm working outside right now cutting down sheet goods to bring them inside - and it's 8:00 and dark out... and I would love it if festool made a tripod docking station where I simply dock the light for use and so that it can charge.  Right now I am removing the light from my "ghetto" tripod and unplugging it - then checking to make sure my rails are on the marks, and then setting it back on the tripod and plugging it back in.  Of course... this would probably turn the syslite into a $400 setup...

Maybe they could even have a dual mount on the tripod?  2 lights...?  And maybe the docking station is removable from the tripod so that It can be used elsewhere. 

I love the light, and this is the first time I've had a decent light to work with when outside, but the whole unplugging thing is kind of a pain (the problem is my setup - not the light).  Awesomely enough, we have a second light on the way... so maybe that will help (of course I will need to go get another ghetto tripod!). 

 

[peter halle]

Buy another Syslite? while Festool contemplates your suggestion?

The Syslite is one of this tools that honestly - and without any sort of negativism - I don't think you can realize the difference until you have a need to do a thirty day trial.

I need to send mine in for service but every time I start to pack it up I need it for a project.

Pteer

 

[Neathawk Designs]

Another one is one the way (I won it through festool's Facebook Trivia!!)  ... but I totally get why they have a 4 pack now... because 4 is probably a good number to take to the job. 

as long as we're on the wish list... I wish it lasted 8 hours..  I understand why it only lasts 1.5 hours.... and I actually think of it as more of a bonus that you can even unplug it at all.  You certainly can't unplug the halogen and get the same results - It will take me a while, but someday I'll have 4... and hopefully they sit on some tripod docking stations!

 

[tbellemare]

Don't forget that you can use your drill/jigsaw batteries with the SysLite...

I've done that a few times recently.

Tom

 

[gkaiseril]

New Design Idea...

I'm working outside right now cutting down sheet goods to bring them inside - and it's 8:00 and dark out... and I would love it if festool made a tripod docking station where I simply dock the light for use and so that it can charge.  Right now I am removing the light from my "ghetto" tripod and unplugging it - then checking to make sure my rails are on the marks, and then setting it back on the tripod and plugging it back in.  Of course... this would probably turn the syslite into a $400 setup...

Maybe they could even have a dual mount on the tripod?  2 lights...?  And maybe the docking station is removable from the tripod so that It can be used elsewhere. 

I love the light, and this is the first time I've had a decent light to work with when outside, but the whole unplugging thing is kind of a pain (the problem is my setup - not the light).  Awesomely enough, we have a second light on the way... so maybe that will help (of course I will need to go get another ghetto tripod!).   

The Syslite has a 1/4" #20 screw socket. This is the same mounting used by many photographic products like cameras and flash foots.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1008957-REG/led_science_ls_s6_bk_dual_light_mounting_bracket.html

Dual light mounting bracket.

One can mount that onto a camera tripod or light stand.

 

[Neathawk Designs]

Don't forget that you can use your drill/jigsaw batteries with the SysLite...

Yes - I don't have any batteries yet... I don't think those will come until next year (unless I spring for the battery carvex).  I think replacing my router table and routers is next on the list. 

The Syslite has a 1/4" #20 screw socket. This is the same mounting used by many photographic products like cameras and flash foots.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1008957-REG/led_science_ls_s6_bk_dual_light_mounting_bracket.html

Dual light mounting bracket.

One can mount that onto a camera tripod or light stand.

That bracket is pretty cool - I might actually try that when the next light comes in.  I still think a single cord that comes off the bottom of the tripod that you don't have to connect/disconnect would be cool.  I have my light on a single camera tripod right now

 

[Saskataper]

I have two that I cycle between on jobs so I have one charging (sometimes on) while I use the other. I also have a small collapsible tripod that has a quick connect attachment so I don't have to thread the light on and off continuously.

 

[bkharman]

Gorilla pod.

 

[Qwas]

The Syslite has a 1/4" #20 screw socket. This is the same mounting used by many photographic products like cameras and flash foots.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1008957-REG/led_science_ls_s6_bk_dual_light_mounting_bracket.html

Dual light mounting bracket.

One can mount that onto a camera tripod or light stand.

That mount is for a ⅝" stud for a light stand, not a ¼-20 tripod mount. I don't think any one makes what you're looking for.

 

[leakyroof]

The Syslite has a 1/4" #20 screw socket. This is the same mounting used by many photographic products like cameras and flash foots.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1008957-REG/led_science_ls_s6_bk_dual_light_mounting_bracket.html

Dual light mounting bracket.

One can mount that onto a camera tripod or light stand.

That mount is for a ⅝" stud for a light stand, not a ¼-20 tripod mount. I don't think any one makes what you're looking for.

. Hmm, it has the 1/4-20 bolts/screw handles at either end , I think with a little work you could make something that has a female 1/4-20 nut centered, and two 1/4-20 knobs at a spaced distance away from the mounting nut , all in a simple flat aluminum bar stock.  Right up your alley... [wink]
Syslite Bar Mount,  2 threaded knobs from McMaster Carr, a drill and tapped 1/4-20 hole in the center of the bar to mate to ones Tripod....  With that special Qwas Green Coating....  Could work, yes? [tongue]

 

[Neathawk Designs]

Well... if you're going to make a mount for 2... then you might as well make a mount for 4... in case you need the extra power

 

[Neathawk Designs]

When I say Dock... I mean where you would slide the light on - similar to how you would slide the battery onto the light or a battery into a battery charger.  No wires, no threading, no two handed quick disconnect.  Kind of like a dock for your phone or Ipod... click - done.

In the mean time... I think a double light bar would be cool

 

[Qwas]

Hmm, it has the 1/4-20 bolts/screw handles at either end , I think with a little work you could make something that has a female 1/4-20 nut centered, and two 1/4-20 knobs at a spaced distance away from the mounting nut , all in a simple flat aluminum bar stock.   Right up your alley... [wink]
Syslite Bar Mount,  2 threaded knobs from McMaster Carr, a drill and tapped 1/4-20 hole in the center of the bar to mate to ones Tripod....  With that special Qwas Green Coating....  Could work, yes? [tongue]

I think I could up with something. How long do you guys think the bar should be? Keep in mind that the as the bar gets longer, the lights will get more wobbly.  

 

[gkaiseril]

There are many photographic lighting accessories. There are adapters from to and from 1/4 and 5/8 inches. There are bolt on flash feet and quick clamps for flash feet. Just browse the catalog or go to a photography store and not MegaMart's photo section.

 

[leakyroof]

Hmm, it has the 1/4-20 bolts/screw handles at either end , I think with a little work you could make something that has a female 1/4-20 nut centered, and two 1/4-20 knobs at a spaced distance away from the mounting nut , all in a simple flat aluminum bar stock.   Right up your alley... [wink]
Syslite Bar Mount,  2 threaded knobs from McMaster Carr, a drill and tapped 1/4-20 hole in the center of the bar to mate to ones Tripod....  With that special Qwas Green Coating....  Could work, yes? [tongue]

I think I could up with something. How long do you guys think the bar should be? Keep in mind that the as the bar gets longer, the lights will get more wobbly.  

. I think you would need to play with 2, or 4( [big grin]) Syslites to find both the light pattern you like with paired lights, and an optimal distance of mounting to keep the stability under control.
Have Shane send you a Contractors 4 pack to 'play' around with.  [wink]

 

[leakyroof]

When I say Dock... I mean where you would slide the light on - similar to how you would slide the battery onto the light or a battery into a battery charger.  No wires, no threading, no two handed quick disconnect.  Kind of like a dock for your phone or Ipod... click - done.

In the mean time... I think a double light bar would be cool

I get the Docking Station.  Charging Unit could be in the base for lower center of gravity , wiring embedded in the tubes going up, or, clipped on the outside like you would with a Vacuum Hose while using a tool.
With no change to the current Syslite, this means a power port mounted to mate with the plug at the back of the Syslite. And maybe a spring loaded peg or dowel to engage the bottom mounting hole with possible two finger type supports going around the top for additional support

 

[Neathawk Designs]

I get the Docking Station.  Charging Unit could be in the base for lower center of gravity , wiring embedded in the tubes going up, or, clipped on the outside like you would with a Vacuum Hose while using a tool.
With no change to the current Syslite, this means a power port mounted to mate with the plug at the back of the Syslite. And maybe a spring loaded peg or dowel to engage the bottom mounting hole with possible two finger type supports going around the top for additional support

YES!!  And you could probably add other features to the tripod that I'm not thinking of... like maybe it integrates and connects to other things like an MFT Table, or a CT Vac.  Or even better would be to make  it so you could mount however many lights you want up and down the tripod... so they would be on a track that raises and lowers, and you could also mount other things to it like cameras and lasers.  Maybe only the top 2 act as charging stations, while the other additions are just mounts.  It would be nice if it had a smaller footprint too.  Mine has a large footprint, so I actually had it partially collapsed to fit into my tiny space, and my daughter just came over and knocked it over. 

Another benefit would be when doing drywall or finishing - you could pop it on and off quickly to check your work. 

 

[gkaiseril]

Mount it on a photography light stand or work light stand. If more weight is needed for the base, use small sandbags like the photographers use.