Sliding Phone/Tablet Tripod Holder

thingiverse

So I liked the combination of JSC's sliding holder using a rubberband, and the one that uses an adjustment screw. This one uses a spring available in a kit from Home Depot for about $4.50USD I used his Fusion 360 file from the one that uses an adjustment knob, lost the knob, and added back in the ability for a spring. I also resized the sliding part so that it moves freely inside of the base, and the arms that hold the phone to hold thicker phones, and phones with cases, this will hold anything from a Moto E to a Nexus 6 or I phone 6 Plus. I will upload videos of assembly, and use when I print some more, holders, and pick up some more springs. I will also note the proper spring used, when I purchase new ones. Post-Printing Installing the spring in the slide. To install the spring, i used a piece of the core of a paracord, looped it through the loop in the spring, then ran the cord through the slide, from the bottom to the top. Once the loop is sticking out, stick a 1/4 20bolt in the hole, then work the loop of the spring that is sticking out the top around the head of the bolt, the spring will naturally slip under the head of the screw. This is what more or less permanently secures the spring to the bolt. The tension of the loop wanting to lift locks it in place. Installing the spring in the base, and the 1/4 20 nut in the base. Repeat the paracord process from the slide, the spring will stretch as you pull the loop through the bottom hole. This is fine. When the spring comes through, I stretched approximately 4-5 loops through. On one of my prints the nut slipped right in beside the spring wire. On the other I had to ever so slightly heat the nut. this can be done by using a lighter, or a torch. I stuck a 1/4 20 bolt in the nut in order to hold it, and not touch the hot nut, both while heating and inserting it in the print. I just slowly passed the nut back and forth through a propane torch on low. You do not want the nut any where near hot, just warm. Pass it through the flame a few times and try to insert it. If it does not go pass through the flame a few more times, and repeat. The nut should press in with resistance, if it slides in easily the spring will most likely push it into your plastic, and it will not work. If done properly this will trap the spring as well as insert the nut securely. This sounds overly complicated, but it is not. Once the nut is in place, if it is to warm grab an icecube or run some cool water over it to rapidly cool it down before damaging your print. Then trim the spring off. on one of mine i used a pair of micro side cutters, on the other i used just a regular pair of side cutters. The regular side cutters leave a little bit of wire sticking out, which may not be kid friendly, however it provides some tension on my tripod and removes any slight wiggle.