Laser Level Mounting Pole PVC

thingiverse

I needed something to mount my laser level to hang some pictures up. The laser level comes with a mount that is basically a clamp with a couple points of articulation. It works great if you have something to clamp it to, but if not it's pretty useless. I was initially going to print some parts to make a tripod, but this was simpler and ended up being a little easier to use in tight spaces. Essentially, I was going for a poor man's version of this: [https://www.amazon.com/Firecore-FS124-Telescoping-20-Inch-Leveling/dp/B07HK9ZPJL/ref=pd_cp_469_1/136-4764482-6683719?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07HK9ZPJL&pd_rd_r=60e822ee-204e-4209-a847-bdcbeac65082&pd_rd_w=63jgO&pd_rd_wg=Tm5BQ&pf_rd_p=0e5324e1-c848-4872-bbd5-5be6baedf80e&pf_rd_r=MG1TXZFVC3RXXBFPEYCQ&psc=1&refRID=MG1TXZFVC3RXXBFPEYCQ](this) ### Additional materials - ~ 5 ft of 1" diameter schedule 40 PVC pipe - ~ 5 ft of 1-1/4" diameter schedule 40 PVC pipe - 1 8-32 Thread 1/4" heat-set threaded insert (https://www.mcmaster.com/94459a320) - 1 8-32 Thread 3/4" screw (https://www.mcmaster.com/90272A197) ### How to use Extend the inner pipe until it reaches the ceiling and then tighten the clamp with a screwdriver. Then turn the nut to add enough tension to hold the mount tight. ### Improvements This was just a proof of concept, so it could be greatly improved. A couple things I noticed: - The clamp mechanism doesn't always have enough clamping force. Adding a piece of adhesive-backed rubber to the clamp might be an easy way to increase the holding power. - Needing a screwdriver is annoying - it would be great to just have a knob - Better yet would be to design a new clamping mechanism that would compress around the pipe as it's twisted - The pipe isn't as stiff as I expected - maybe switch to metal or use thicker pipe