How to Build a Tripod Wooden Stand

A wooden tripod can help you avoid blurry pictures.

A camera tripod provides a stable and dependable surface for the camera to rest on while a photo is being taken. You can build a stable, wooden tripod from a flimsy metal one using some lumber and a few parts from the hardware store. Your wooden tripod can be used for stabilizing camcorders as well as cameras.

Things You'll Need

• Work surface
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Paper
• Pliers
• Phillips screwdriver
• Metal tripod
• Three 4-foot 2x4s
• Hacksaw
• Rough sandpaper
• Portable drill

Instructions

1. Extend one leg of the metal tripod all the way out. Measure the length of the metal leg. Write down the measurement on a sheet of paper.

2. Remove the two lug nuts from each side of the three metal legs where they attach to the photographic camera mount using the jaws of a pair of pliers. Put the lug nuts aside for later.

3. Remove the two sets of screws from each of the three metal legs where they attach to the photographic camera mount using the Phillips screwdriver. Put the screws aside for later.

4. Put a 2x4 wood block on the work surface. Measure the length of the tripod leg that was written down on the wood block. Cut the wood block with the saw so that it is the same length as the metal tripod leg.

5. Cut two additional wood blocks to the same length as that of the metal tripod leg.

6. Measure the width of the metal tripod leg at the end where it attached to the photographic camera mount.

7. Cut the side of one end of a wood block so that it is tapered to the same width as that of the tripod leg's width that was written down.

8. Cut the sides of one end of the other two wood blocks in a similar fashion.

9. Sand both ends of the three wood blocks using the rough sandpaper. Sand the sides of the wood blocks where they have been tapered.

10. Place the tapered end of one of the wood blocks against the end of one of the tripod legs where it was attached to the photographic camera mount.

11. Put the portable drill into one of the two holes in the end of the tripod leg. Drill through the wood block being held against the tripod leg with the portable drill. Repeat this procedure with the other hole in the wood block.

12. Repeat the entire procedure of drilling the two holes in the ends of the other two wood blocks.

13. Line up the two holes in the end of the wood block with the holes in the photographic camera mount. Put the two screws into the holes so they go through the wood block and the holes in the photographic camera mount.

14. Screw on the two lug nuts to the ends of the two screws with your fingers.

15. Clamp the jaws of the pliers on each of the two lug nuts and twist them so that they are screwed on hard.

16. Repeat this entire process with the other two wood blocks and the two remaining set of holes in the photographic camera mount.

17. Extend the three wood blocks that are now a part of your wooden tripod stand outward. Place the three wooden "legs" onto the floor. Screw a camera onto the photographic camera mount.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear work gloves when cutting the wood blocks and protective goggles to protect your eyes.

• Don't overtighten the screw from the photographic camera mount into the bottom of the camera--this can break the camera's bottom plate.

References

• Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews: Making a Sturdy Wood Tripod

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Prime Junta: Tripods 101