Tripod perfection - Syslite Duo now infinitely more useful!

[The.Handyman]

Who makes a tripod mount and/or light the doesn't gimble!? Honestly, come on. It is important to be able to direct the light where you want it.

The way it should have come from Festool.

Tripod: New Ridgid R9937B light tripod that will hold 3 lights. Remove the 3 wings (pictured left) and place 3/8" thread into the nut already affixed in the tripod. Folds up nice with a handle for carrying.

Gimble adapter: Joby Ballhead X. I have been using their tripods and camera mounts for years. This is their heavy duty model capable of supporting 11lbs.

My wooden post adapter is part of a garden hoe hardwood handle that almost fit perfectly. A little sanding yielded a perfect fit. I inserted and epoxied the 1/4 x 20 threaded inserts.

 

[PeterK]

Why the side facing threaded insert in the dowel?
$80 for the tripod plus a ball head. Cool idea if you already have the tripod but about the same price as the Festool tripod for the pair although no ability to tilt.
My concern is that it doesn't appear to be very sturdy - as in easy to tip over - but could be better in person.
I have a couple construction tripods for laser levels that should be adaptable using the dowel idea. Will have to see how that would work - maybe with the ball head idea.
Thanks!

 

[Getmaverick]

This is exactly how i did mine, just with a different tripod. I got a Ravelli ALS Full 10' from Amazon for $30.00.
The only issue I have is when the guys take it out in the field it always seems to break at the ball head. The light is pretty heavy and when tilted to much puts a lot of stress on that 1/4 insert. I'm now looking for a better way.

 

[The.Handyman]

Why the side facing threaded insert in the dowel?
$80 for the tripod plus a ball head. Cool idea if you already have the tripod but about the same price as the Festool tripod for the pair although no ability to tilt.
My concern is that it doesn't appear to be very sturdy - as in easy to tip over - but could be better in person.
I have a couple construction tripods for laser levels that should be adaptable using the dowel idea. Will have to see how that would work - maybe with the ball head idea.
Thanks!

Side thread insert for securing the light to the post. Wanted to keep the light safe from accidental bumps when tilted.

The tripod is quite sturdy. I do trim carpentry and it's been fine for all the uses I've put it through. The tripod feet have a rubberized overmolding to keep the floor scratch free too.

The tripod was $75 after a 10% off coupon. The Joby ballhead mount was $50 off of eBay. The miscellaneous hardware was ~$3. Less than an hour to put it all together.

 

[The.Handyman]

This is exactly how i did mine, just with a different tripod. I got a Ravelli ALS Full 10' from Amazon for $30.00.
The only issue I have is when the guys take it out in the field it always seems to break at the ball head. The light is pretty heavy and when tilted to much puts a lot of stress on that 1/4 insert. I'm now looking for a better way.

What ballhead are you using that keeps breaking?

The Joby ballhead x is rated for heavy professional camera equipment ($$$$ stuff) and has a weight rating higher than the weight of the Duo. No issues here but it's just me using it.

 

[PeterK]

Thanks Handyman.

 

[Getmaverick]

Well upon further inspection, it seems it was not rated to handle the weight. Not sure I want to spend $50.00 to make it adjustable though.