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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: ArchivalAudio on January 21, 2015, 01:55:07 AM

Title: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: ArchivalAudio on January 21, 2015, 01:55:07 AM
So I originally made this DIN [20cm@90°] bar for my Nbob 20mm SGC clips intended for my Milab VM44 links:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/IMG_20141005_131616734.jpg) (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/ArchivalAudio/media/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/IMG_20141005_131616734.jpg.html)

"detailed" here:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=153650.90 (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=153650.90)
Quote
I used1/2" PVC Schedule 40 pipe, cut to size - a standard that I use for all my DIY bars.
I placed the caps in the clips on the bolts at 90° angle at 20cm spacing on top of paper, then drew markings on the paper  "template", then cut the pipe to size - the pipe cut  could have been slightly longer - or shorter  depending on preferences.

The bolts are Black button head, Allen bolts  3/8" 16 x 1 1/2" that I needed to grind the head slightly to make them small enough to fit in the ends of the PVC.
The nuts are nylon (white) that I simply used a sharpie on to make them black, this cuts down the weight and the nylon  has a smooth turning action. It's all held in place with hotmelt glue - Then spray painted flat black and a final couple of coats with Rustoleum Textured  for plastic paint, which gives it a faux nextel finish.

it's quite quick and dirty DIY!

I wanted a lighter bar for airline travel, and an overall lighter gear-bag.
So I opted for all nylon bolts and nuts (I previously used):
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/DIY-Nbob-Sgc-bar-parts.jpg) (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/ArchivalAudio/media/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/DIY-Nbob-Sgc-bar-parts.jpg.html)

Hotmelt glued together:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/DIY-Nbob-Sgc-bar-noPaint.jpg) (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/ArchivalAudio/media/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/DIY-Nbob-Sgc-bar-noPaint.jpg.html)

Painted + some sharpie on the last 1/2" or so of the nylon bolts:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/DIY-Nbob-Sgc-bar.jpg) (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/ArchivalAudio/media/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/DIY-Nbob-Sgc-bar.jpg.html)

Finished bar mount + VM44 links without shock mount:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/Nbob-Sgc-20mm-clips-bar.jpg) (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/ArchivalAudio/media/Nbob-20mm-Sgc-clips/Nbob-Sgc-20mm-clips-bar.jpg.html)
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: Fried Chicken Boy on January 21, 2015, 04:23:31 PM
Nice!  Thinking I might follow your lead on this to use with my SGC clips.  Guessing you can pick up the PVC pipe and nylon bolts at Home Depot, Lowes, etc?
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: ArchivalAudio on January 21, 2015, 11:50:48 PM
Nice!  Thinking I might follow your lead on this to use with my SGC clips.  Guessing you can pick up the PVC pipe and nylon bolts at Home Depot, Lowes, etc?
Yep.
I've had numerous pieces of PVC schedule 40  for other projects, and I go the nylon bolts and nuts at out local Do It Best  (formerly Ace) since they have numerous drawers of fasteners and parts. You might also try fastenall
have fun
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 24, 2015, 06:34:32 AM
Very nice bro ;D I love that! You also have the option to do PAS if you need too as well. Much more convenient! I have to use a vark bar and the sgc clips if I want to do PAS. I love my active bars, but at times I wish I had a setup like that. Luckily for me, I rarely record in venues where I need to do PAS, and I'm usually center, or just off center, so running my DINa/DIN bar is perfect! I've been meaning to get Brian[it goes to 11] to make me one of his PAS active bars, but yours is much more convenient since you can do it on the fly and use any angle you like :)

I like a good DIY project too. I might hit Lowe's and Home Depot up again tomorrow and do exactly something like that, that I can just slide into my a20s shocks and use any angle I want to 8)

I take it those nylon bolts are just a regular 3/8"? Looks like it! What kind of middle section is that? I'm not too sure where to look at Lowe's/HD ??? Probably in the hardware section where all of the wing nuts and specialty stuff is. I was just at Lowe's AND Home Depot with my dad a few days ago. I wish I would've seen this thread before then :)

Thanks for the idea man! +T ;D
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 28, 2015, 10:53:22 AM
I stopped by Home Depot the other day to get some supplies to make my own PAS bar :) Unfortunately, I couldn't find any nylon bolts :( But, I just got [4] 3/8"-1" steel bolts [$.20 each lol] and a piece of 1/2" PVC piping. Total cost= $2.20!!! Sure beats spending $60 on a custom delrin PAS bar ;D 8) But I hate sanding the PVC piping down to 20mm :( Wish there was an easier way, but a little elbow grease never hurt anybody haha :) Now when the PVC is down to 20mm (a little less than 20mm actually, to account for the paint buildup once its spraypainted), I'm going to epoxy the bolts to the PVC and then spray everything black. It'll definitely do the job though! And the main advantage of this bar versus a nice custom PAS bar, is that I can alter the angle anyway I see fit for that venue! I'll only use it at the few venues/bars where running DINa/DIN/NOS/ORTF wouldn't be ideal. I swear I'm going to invent a drill attachment that can go OUTWARDS, so that any standard drill can grip the INSIDE of the PVC piping, and I could just hold the sandpaper in my hand and run the drill, to get the PVC down to 20mm MUCH quicker than doing all of the sanding by hand! But that's for another day lol!!!

I am usually deterred by some DIY stuff just because it doesn't look "professional" enough, but to be able to do ANY PAS angle, with 17cm spacing, and for only $2.20, I think I'll be OK with it not looking factory made ;) ;D 8)

Thanks again for the idea Ian 8)
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: ArchivalAudio on January 28, 2015, 11:59:39 PM
Way to go Bean!  :nightfevah:
My first and usual method has been with steel bolts, then the black allen head bolts and the nylon was purely for the weight factor. I'm going to be flying with my gear and want to make every oz count.

Glad you were inspired.
You don't need exactly 20mm on the pvc.
most shock mount cradles can be enlarged or reduced with a heat gun (or hair dryer) simply remove from the elastic and heat then shape to fit.
--Ian
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: Fried Chicken Boy on January 29, 2015, 10:19:38 AM
Well done, Bean!  If you're able to post pictures when you have it finished that would be great.  And as Ian noted, most shock mount cradles are a little forgiving when it comes to the bar width.  A few mm shouldn't make much difference unless the cradle material is particularly stiff. 
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: johnmuge on January 29, 2015, 11:06:44 AM
This is another great idea.  I copied your first idea except I used a 3/8" threaded rod thru the entire 1/2" PVC pipe and used 3/4" washers on each side with a nut to keep it together rather than hot glue.  I looks and works great but this is definitely a Weight Watchers design.  Looks like another fun weekend project. 
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 30, 2015, 07:16:07 AM
Yea I've slacked on it the last few days, but will probably finish it up this morning/afternoon. I think I have the plastic spraypaint that I need too, but I'll have to check real quick! And I could leave it the way it is and just use a Rycote InV with it, since the InV 6 I'm going to get soon can do from 19mm-25mm, so it would fit in there perfect just the way it is now!

And I'll definitely snap some pics when I'm done! I needed this thing Wednesday night when I had to run PAS at a venue I've never been to before for Boombox, but I didn't know I was going until noon on Wednesday, so I didn't want to rush things and not let the epoxy set up enough 8)
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 30, 2015, 07:18:24 AM
This is another great idea.  I copied your first idea except I used a 3/8" threaded rod thru the entire 1/2" PVC pipe and used 3/4" washers on each side with a nut to keep it together rather than hot glue.  I looks and works great but this is definitely a Weight Watchers design.  Looks like another fun weekend project. 

I'd love to see pics of that John ;) I'm very curious about the rod running through the 1/2" PVC pipe :) I'm thinking of something similar in case my epoxy fails or something, and there is nothing behind my bolts holding them into place but the epoxy!
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 03, 2015, 10:12:07 AM
Spraypainting the epoxy/bolts/nuts on mine right now. Still unsure if I'm going to paint the white PVC piping on mine yet?!?!?! I have been thinking of keeping it white so the plastic paint never wears off and looks even worse lol ;D

Next up is a smaller bar. It will mimic what angle/spacing I use in ONE venue around here, since its soooo narrow and long :) Might sand this one down to 20mm with a grinder my father has lying around ;) Im sure my hands will thank me later lol ;)
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: johnmuge on February 03, 2015, 03:18:24 PM
I'm not to good with uploading pictures but it looks just like Ian's except there are 2 nuts on each side.  One to align the clip and the other to sandwich the PVC.  3/4" flat washers on each side of the PVC are perfect to keep it together.  I see that 3/8" threaded plastic rods are available so I'm going to put together a light weight version with plastic nuts as well.  I'd paint it all Bean, it will look great.
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: phil_er_up on February 03, 2015, 03:31:26 PM
Nice Work AA and everyone.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my 3 foot omni spread. Went to HD and found 2 PVC pipes that would fit into another slightly larger PVC pipe tightly.

Took large PVC pipe cut to about 2.5 inches maybe 3. Then took a drill and cut a hole the size of my mic stand where I want it to sit (about an inch below the threads above-to give room to mount another clip/mount/bar). Take tape and cover the hole to make snug fit and check for evenness. Cut the other 2 smaller PVC pipes to around 17 inches(measure to 36 inches for where the mics will be). Then cut 2 holes (slightly larger then straws) for mics in PVC.

At show,  I take this 2.5 piece of PVC and mount it by placing it over the stud of mic stand and pull it down. Tape it. Then insert the other 2 smaller PVC pipes. Insert mics. I cut the holes slightly larger then straws and use the straw to hold down the mic by inserting it into the small straw cut hole (very thin wire of DPA4060's) and use gaff tape to hold it in position. Can still use the 3/8 or 5/8 inch threaded mic nut for another mic clip/shock mount/mic bar. No screws. No nuts. Very light.

Needed to buy(or have on hand): 3 PVC pipes and one straw
Equipment: saw. Way to drill and bits. Scissors to cut straw.
Time: About 20 minutes.
Enjoyment: Priceless
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: ArchivalAudio on February 06, 2015, 11:57:42 AM
Nice Bean,
Glad I inspired you and others to make their own useful DIY bars. if you put the image tag around your links the pics will show in the thread:  the little button under the B for bold is the image  tagger.
see below:
--Ian

PS as for sung-ness you might also try a small O ring or a O grommet. Personally I like the O Rubber Grommets as they compress nicely.
Here's a couple more pics. I added a 3/8" washer to my DIY PAS bar so that the SGC clips stay SNUGLY in place, just like I do with my Vark Bars ;) $1 for a few of them, and IMO, you NEED them to keep the SGC clips SNUG :)

(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag241/diskobean/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-02/IMG_20150206_111511165_zpssljpu8bx.jpg~original) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/diskobean/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-02/IMG_20150206_111511165_zpssljpu8bx.jpg.html)

(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag241/diskobean/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-02/IMG_20150206_111500676_zpspjgrnj63.jpg~original) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/diskobean/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-02/IMG_20150206_111500676_zpspjgrnj63.jpg.html)
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 06, 2015, 12:48:25 PM
Ahh nice! Thanks for the tip about the images! You'd think with 40k posts I would've known that already lol. I just got some kickass metal primer, so my next DINa mount is going to be perfect 8)
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: flipp on February 06, 2015, 02:29:26 PM
Posting Pictures (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=2571.0)

please note #1 in Linking to pics outside of TS.com
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 06, 2015, 02:48:21 PM
Posting Pictures (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=2571.0)

please note #1 in Linking to pics outside of TS.com

Thanks Flipp 8) I usually do. Must've forgot this time!
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: chk on February 12, 2015, 02:00:34 PM
i built a set of bars based on this idea (thanks!) using different materials.  I used 20mm black delrin bars that i bought on ebay.  Was super easy.

Step 1)  cut the delrin bars to the appropriate lengths (for 40cm omni spread, custom PAS @ 30mm, DINA/ORTF), of course figuring for the length of the SGC clips/capsules...
Step 2) drill holes in the ends of the delrin bars using a drill press to accomodate 1.5" 3/16 18 threaded ends... "tap handle" ends i bought from ebay. 
Step 3) simply screw the threaded ends into the delrin, didn't even need glue for this
Step 4) add a pair or two of rubber washers, found some at HD that were exactly 20mm, this allows you to get the SGC clips screwed in just right so they can be lined up properly in terms of twisting them consistently
Step 5) add the SGC clips to the threaded ends and you're done. 

They came out looking really great, they are continuous from the delrin to the SGC clips, can't see the screw.  Super durable and fit into any 20mm shockmount.  The only potential negative is that they aren't feather-light.

Will post pics of the finished product at some point, but here are the parts:

3/8-16 threaded ends:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=261755397268

Delrin bars (looks like the seller only currently has shorter lengths, but i would contact him, he has tons of this stuff)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Acetal-Delrin-rod-0-79-20mm-dia-4-25-/281563822176?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418e82f860

Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 13, 2015, 04:57:09 AM
i built a set of bars based on this idea (thanks!) using different materials.  I used 20mm black delrin bars that i bought on ebay.  Was super easy.

Step 1)  cut the delrin bars to the appropriate lengths (for 40cm omni spread, custom PAS @ 30mm, DINA/ORTF), of course figuring for the length of the SGC clips/capsules...
Step 2) drill holes in the ends of the delrin bars using a drill press to accomodate 1.5" 5/16 18 threaded ends... "tap handle" ends i bought from ebay. 
Step 3) simply screw the threaded ends into the delrin, didn't even need glue for this
Step 4) add a pair or two of rubber washers, found some at HD that were exactly 20mm, this allows you to get the SGC clips screwed in just right so they can be lined up properly in terms of twisting them consistently
Step 5) add the SGC clips to the threaded ends and you're done. 

They came out looking really great, they are continuous from the delrin to the SGC clips, can't see the screw.  Super durable and fit into any 20mm shockmount.  The only potential negative is that they aren't feather-light.

Will post pics of the finished product at some point, but here are the parts:

5/16-18 threaded ends:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-lot-of-10-beer-tap-handle-5-16-18-X-1-1-2-set-screw-hanger-bolts-lot-/271768509879?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f46aa5db7

Delrin bars (looks like the seller only currently has shorter lengths, but i would contact him, he has tons of this stuff)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Acetal-Delrin-rod-0-79-20mm-dia-4-25-/281563822176?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418e82f860



I have been experimenting with my DIY PAS bar with PVC pipe and this is what I want to do. I definitely want to use Delrin! No painting or sanding needed ;D And will DEFINITELY last a lifetime!!!

Just one question: The SGC Clips are 3/8", and you listed bolts that are 5/16" ??? Is just the larger tap end the 5/16" diameter, and the smaller screw end 3/8" ??? Thanks in advance, as Id like to order this stuff ASAP ;D 8) I owe Tonedeaf one and Id like it o be as bulletproof as possible 8)
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: chk on February 13, 2015, 08:00:21 AM
Sorry Bean, i posted incorrectly, thanks very much for pointing it out. In my haste i posted the wrong tap handle screes originally...yes they make them in 3/8....and they fit the SGC clips just exactly perfect...I modified my original post and here are the correct ones: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=261755397268
Thanks!
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: johnmuge on February 13, 2015, 03:12:13 PM
That's another great idea !!  Thanks for posting Chk !!!
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 14, 2015, 01:19:37 PM
I just went to Home Depot and bought 3' of SS 3/8" rod, so I'm covered either way :) ;D That way I can make the threaded ends any length I want! And I should get my 4 1/4" Delrin from the guy you posted by Wednesday CHK!!! I'm going to order 3' of 20mm delrin from someone on ebay so that I can make a few of these for some friends :)

Thanks a BUNCH for the idea of using delrin! I always wanted to use delrin from the get go, but I remember Brian aka it goes to 11 saying that 20mm delrin was expensive! If I had known its only about $8/foot, I would've definitely started with it instead of PVC pipe, since sanding down PVC to 20mm isnt much fun lol ;D 8) I'll snap some pics when I'm done!

Really psyched to start this ;D Thanks for the ideas Ian and CHK ;D 8)
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 21, 2015, 11:33:19 PM
Here's a few pictures of my first finished DIY PAS bar ;D Im happy to put my name on this one lol! Thanks to Archival Audio for the idea, and to chk for the delrin idea and link :) I love it, although, like chk said, its not exactly lightweight. But it doesn't affect me at all since my rigs are very compact, so I think I can deal with a few extra ounces in my bag :)

Please let me know what you think! And BTW, the spacing on the bar is 17cm, same as DINa and ORTF 8) Id be glad to make a few for some other tapers if you're interested ;)

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=171828.msg2128325#new
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: Cobiwan on February 23, 2015, 10:56:08 PM
I had posted this in Bean's thread but thought I should post here too as Archival Audio and chk were the big inspiration for this project.
Basically, I took two of NBob's 2" Delrin risers and put them back to back. In the first pic there is just a piece of gaff tape holding them together but all I need to get is a small 3/8" stud to mate them. Add the SGC clips and POW!, just like yours! The second pic shows the DIY PAS bar next to my DIN bar ItGoesToEleven made.
I've got four 1" risers that I could add to it if I wanted to space it wider.
Ingenuity at its finest! :laugh:
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: ArchivalAudio on February 27, 2015, 01:44:14 AM
Hey
I am so glad that my thread has inspired others . that's the idea of posting DIY , is to inspire others to do the same and hopefully improve the process!

keep the pics and ideas flowing .

--Ian
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 02, 2015, 02:53:12 AM
Here's a few pictures of mine too! Thanks a bunch for the ideas ArchivalAudio and chk!

Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: dactylus on January 02, 2016, 02:57:07 PM
Thanks to all for your postings on this topic and for all of the great pics and ideas. 

I did purchase a pair of Nbob 20mm SGC clips last year.  I like the idea of mating these clips to a black, threaded delrin bar for a DIN/DINa solution for my VM44-Links.  Are there any machinists out there that would be willing to thread the delrin rods for me for a fee if I provided the delrin rods to you for a DIN and a DINa bar?



Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: bluelawn on January 02, 2016, 11:23:43 PM
can't help with the machining, but heres a quick sketch i made to have mine made 5.5 years ago. bribed the machinist at work, he made me 2 out of aluminum. unfortunately i've already given the spare away. set-ups still working great
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4122/4932995713_ecf27aac3f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/8vUTLe)Milab_mount_[1] (https://flic.kr/p/8vUTLe) by Seth Nochajski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nochajski/), on Flickr
 (https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4081/4942619417_021dd60a6a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/8wLdya)MilabVM44-LINK bar2 (https://flic.kr/p/8wLdya) by Seth Nochajski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nochajski/), on Flickr
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: Brian Skalinder on January 03, 2016, 05:25:16 AM
I like the idea of mating these clips to a black, threaded delrin bar for a DIN/DINa solution for my VM44-Links.

FWIW, this is the setup I used for my old Naks and now am using for my VM44-Links:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=144397.msg1860215#msg1860215

I just use the stock VM-44 Link clips on the ends, rather than the ones you see in the pictures.
Title: Re: DIY mic Bar for Nbob 20mm SGC clips + Milab VM44-Links
Post by: dactylus on January 03, 2016, 02:58:58 PM
Thanks for the posts.  Brian I ordered a few of the extension tubes and the hardware needed to attach the Nbob 20mm SGC clips to those tubes.

David