How to Build a Camera Tripod

A homemade tripod can be just as effective as a professional model

Tripods help keep a camera steady and properly positioned while taking pictures. Most professional tripods can be expensive and difficult to carry around due to their size and weight. It is possible to build your own tripod for much less money that will be much easier to transport. A small butt compact and lightweight tripod can be constructed out of stiff wires such as coat hangers, giving you something you can easily place on any surface to aim and position your camera.

Things You'll Need

• Bolt
• Washer
• 3 10-inch stiff wires
• Pliers
• Electrical tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Wrap 10 layers of electrical tape around each of the stiff wires, leaving two inches uncovered at one end of each wire.

2. Bend the uncovered ends of the wires into U-shaped hooks using pliers.

3. Wrap the electrical tape tightly around the top end of a bolt just below the bolt head, making sure the threaded end of the bolt remains uncovered. Do not cut the tape away from the roll yet.

4. Place one of the wires at the end of the bolt so the wire's "hook" touches the bolt tape but the hook is not touching the bolt head. Wrap the tape tightly around the bolt and the wire hook; thee layers around should be enough.

5. Repeat the above step for the other two wires, making sure the ends of all three wires form a triangle around the bolt.

6. Add 10 to 20 more layers of the electrical tape around the point where the three wires meet, making sure the tape is wound extremely tight, and then cut off the tape from the roll with the scissors.

7. Position the tripod on the ends of the wires with the bolt end pointing up. Bend the "legs" at the point where they meet at the bolt to to position the tripod and adjust the height. The tripod should have a maximum height of about nine inches when bent.

Tips & Warnings

• Most cameras take a 1/4-inch size bolt. Check your camera to make sure you know the correct size for it.

• Longer wires can help make a larger tripod; it is important, however, that all three wires be the same length.

References

• DIY Photography: Pocket Camera Tripod

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish