Ground Level "Tripod" / Skimmer

thingiverse

This is my take on the ground skimmer / bolted frisbee / ground tripod. I have full confidence in this rig, with my biggest lens, down to my smallest. When I need to work on my belly, waiting for that perfect moment, this will save my arms the shakin' and achin' of holding up a 9lb rig. I hope someone else can use it too! The commercial options were all too expensive for my taste, so I designed this. The size is restrained in order to fit on any bed at least 200x200mm, or 200mm diameter. The first layer goes down with a diameter of 187mm, and the skimmer is 195mm diameter at the top. Almost anyone with a standard reprap or above should be able to print this. Print Settings Printer: Kossel Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: Anything works, so long as you get good layer adhesion. I recommend thick layers so it prints quickly! Infill: At least 25%. The infill takes much of the force applied by securing a head to the ground skimmer. 100% isn't necessary, but don't go too low or you'll pull the bolt through the part when you tighten your head. Notes: Use at least 4 top/bottom layers. This makes the bolt and head mating faces nice and strong. Post-Printing Assembly The required bolt is a common 3/8" hex head bolt, 1 1/2" in length. Every hardware store in the US has these, and they should be easily available around the world, being one of the most common SAE thread types. Not that there is any choice. Tripod heads almost universally require a 3/8-16 threaded screw/bolt. Clean any errant strands of filament out of the bolt hole, and slide the bolt into place. Add a tripod head to the skimmer, and tighten it firmly. Now flip it back over, and fill the space above the bolt head with hot glue. Silicon sealant would be fine too. When the glue/sealant dries/cures, use a razor blade to slice the excess material flush with the bottom of the ground skimmer. That's it! Go use your new ground tripod thingie! The birds will never know you are there, and your arms won't get exhausted after 5 minutes.