Tips for removable caps for tripod spikes?

WPPD25 Self Portrait

A
WPPD25 Self Portrait

  • 1
  • 0
  • 16
Wife

A
Wife

  • 4
  • 1
  • 68
Dragon IV 10.jpg

A
Dragon IV 10.jpg

  • 4
  • 0
  • 76
DRAGON IV 08.jpg

A
DRAGON IV 08.jpg

  • 1
  • 0
  • 44

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
197,880
Messages
2,766,324
Members
99,495
Latest member
Brenva1A
Recent bookmarks
0

Keith Pitman

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
663
Location
Pine Junction, Colorado
Format
Large Format
Zone VI sold a device, sometimes called a spider, that was two strips of wood hinged togather at a 60 degree angle. Equidistant from each other are three recesses: one for each tripod leg. Unfold the two legs of the spider, drop the tips of the tripod legs into the recesses, and your floors are protected.

There is a Zone VI tripod on Ebay now that shows the Zone VI "spider" in the picture. A simpler arrangement than the Berlenach, but the same concept.
 

barzune

Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2010
Messages
281
Location
Ontario
Format
Multi Format
I recently bought an old Zone VI heavy duty tripod to use with my 5x7. Although my main intent is to use it outdoors, I sometimes want to use it indoors and I'm wanting to find a convenient solution to covering those spikes (temporarily on demand) so they don't damage any of my floors.

Anyone have experience making or buying removable caps for these things?

View attachment 173943

Thanks if you have some workable ideas...

Keith
The points seem to be held to the wooden leg by a few brads ( nails).
If you pull these brads, perhaps the metal point will slide off.
That would leave the wooden end bare, like a chair leg.
 

wiltw

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
6,388
Location
SF Bay area
Format
Multi Format
I would buy some rubber hose of suitable diameter (e.g. 1-1/2") to fit very loosely about the leg and tip diameter. Then cut the hose at an angle, as determined by the usual leg spread of the tripod. Finally, wrap the leg and tip in plastic wrap (which is later removed and discarded) and also plastic wrap the angular end of the rubber hose (to hold a liquid rubber until it cures). Inject liquid rubber into the hose and place it over the plastic-wrapped sharp tip. The liquid rubber molds to the tip, and then sets. Pull the hose with molded interior off the tip, and remove the plastic wrap from the tip for use. You can then place the rubber-filled hose over the tip, securing it to the tip via friction of a thumbscrew (thru the rubber hose putting pressure on the leg above the tapered section of the tip). Or you could simply use a hook-and-loop strap attached to the rubber hose and lead it to a self-adhesive strip of hooks on the tripod leg. The rubber-filled hose offers non-slip whenever used on a hard surface floor, and it can even be used on carpet albeit with slightly less stability compared to directly on a hard floor.

tripod%20tip_zpsz7laflzv.jpg
 
Last edited:
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom