Making A Camera Stand for Animation

Click on any image for a more detailed view

So, this is what we are building:

Note that we can attach the webcam pointing down, to animate from a whiteboard, or we can attach it on the other end on the 90 degree angle and point toward a wall, or, we can use a 45 degree attachment, and use this as a document camera to scan books.

The intent is to make a larger and more flexible version of this miniature tripod:

Note that the mini-tripod uses a standard 1/4" x #20 blot for the camera mount, just like any camera has. It only has a nice, wide locknut on the end, but we will be using a 1/4" x #20 locknut. And, also note, only some web cams have a standard camera mount, so when buying a webcam, ensure it has a standard camera mount.

• What We Need:
  • Tools:
    • A drill and 1/4" drill bit to drill a 1/4" hole. Seek help if you are not comfortable drilling a 1/4" hole in the end of a 1/2" PVC end cap.
    • A PVC pipe cutter. Cost: $12
    • A flathead screwdriver.
    • A pocket knife to remove the rough edges after drilling.
  • A Heavy PVC Flange for 1-1/4" pipe. It will provide the base for the stand.
  • A 1-1/4" to 1/2" reducer. It will adapt the large hole in the flange to the PVC pipe we make the stand from.
  • A 4' piece of 1/2" PVC pipe. Note that CPVC pipe will be cream colored and slightly different in size. We want PVC pipe. We will cut this into a 2' piece for the stand, a 1' piece for the camera arm, and a 9" and 3" piece to hold the counterweights. Cost: $4
  • A 3/4" PVC Cross (the four way fitting in the middle). We need a 3/4" cross so it slides easily over the 1/2" pipe.
  • 2 3/4" to 1/2" reducers. This will let us attach 1/2" PVC pipe arms into the left and right side of the 3/4" PVC 4way cross.
  • Misc. Hardware
    • A couple 3oz lead weights.
    • A large binder clip
    • Two 1" or so pipe clamps
    • A four pack of furniture glides to put under the base
    • A 1/4" x 20 hex hed cap screw, 3/4" long. This is the size of a standard camera mount.
    • Two 1/4" x 20 nuts, one to hold the bolt into the cap, and one to lock the web-camera onto the end of the bolt.
    • A pack of L brackets, some tie wraps, and some packing foam used for packing plates when moving, or something similar.
• Construction Details
  • Place 3 Furniture Glides on the base of the Flange
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  • Place the reducer into the flange
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  • Measure the 1/2" PVC pipe at 2', 1', 9" and 3" and cut with the PVC cutters.
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  • Insert the 2' 1/2" PVC pipe into stand, attach an L bracket with a pipe clamp.
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  • Find the 3/4" PVC cross (4way adaptor) and the two 3/4" to 1/2" adaptor bushings. Note that this image is of a 1/2" cross, which is too small. But I already had assembled everything when I took this photo.
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  • Wrap a small piece of foam around the pipe stand, and then slide the 3/4" 4way piece over the foam onto the stand. Insert the 3/4" to 1/2" adaptors into each side of the 4way PVC cross.
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  • Remove the metal piece from one half of a binder clip, and use it to attach the lead counterweights to the counter balance arm.
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  • Attach the rear arm to the stand, and using the pipe clamp, attach the weights to the rear arm.
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  • Build the Camera Mount (this could be a little more clear).
    • Drill a 1/4" hole in the center of a 1/2" PVC pipe cap, and run a 1/4" by #20 allen-head bolt from the inside of the cap to the outside. Use a 1/4" x #20 lock nut to hold the bolt in place..
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    • Attach another 1/4 x #20 nut to the outside to use as a locknut for the web camera. If you have a large flat 1/4" nut, use that instead.
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    • Thread on the webcam, and use the locknut to lock it in place.
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  • Attach the webcam, via the 1/2" PVC cap, to the 1' long 1/2" PVC pipe front arm, and attach the front arm to the PVC cross.
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You're done! Adjust the height using the pipe clamp and enjoy.