Clamp-aholics. The ultimate clamping and rigging team thread

[Gutbucket]

I recommend LOCTITE for locking threads on adapters. Here's a breakdown of their color/strengths: http://na.henkel-adhesives.com/industrial/Loctite-Threadlockers-by-Color-14023.htm

I use red for the stuff I know I'll never need to break apart and blue or purple for stuff I may need to break loose at some point.

^ My very first experience with Loctite was after reading a tip here, I believe from you, about using an eye bolt into the threaded hole on a SuperClamp as an attachment point for safety cables.  I went to the hardware store with a SuperClamp in hand, and asked the guy if he could cut down some eye bolts for me, and why.  I got a couple, as I often use two clamps for spaced omnis, and the guy said, "You should add some Loctite; it will prevent the bolt from loosening and make your safety system more secure."  Sounded good to me.  He applied some red and sold me the rest of the bottle.  Needless to say, I now have a SuperClamp with a permanently attached eye bolt...

We use a lot of Loctite Red at work for securing stainless bolts in drilled/tapped holes in aluminum parts.  I warn customers not to try and remove these bolts by brute force, as they will often end up shearing the bolt off before the thread-locking compound gives way.  It is then near-impossible to successfully extract the remainder of the stainless bolt from the softer aluminum without destroying the part.

The key to successful disassembly of parts secured with Loctite Red is to heat the area (if even just the head of the bolt if heat would damage the finish of the threaded base material) with something like a propane torch prior to applying torque to remove the fastener.  The heat breaks down the thread-locking compound allowing the bolt to be loosened with far less torque.

We use Red because these applications are subjected to repeated reciprocal motion which would otherwise loosen the bolt over time and there is no other good way to mechanically lock the bolts in place securely.  Best to use the less aggressive formulations for assemblies which will need to be disassembled at some point, which should be entirely sufficient for most applications except those subjected to on-going repeated reciprocal motion or extreme vibration.

[voltronic]

How wide do you need the jaws to open?

A Joby Gorillapod isn't a clamp but comes in sizes to support most cameras. A small one would easily support an iPhone.

Pedco makes a couple of small table top tripods; the mini size has a velcro wrap for placing it on poles or fencing.

It varies, but the largest bars I clamp onto are close to the limit of the SuperClamp, about 2" diameter.

I used to use a Joby VideoPod for this (smaller version with magnetic feet and pan head) but one of the ball & socket joints let go.  Maybe I'll look into one of the full-size Gorillapods that should be more robust.

[tim in jersey]

I recommend LOCTITE for locking threads on adapters. Here's a breakdown of their color/strengths: http://na.henkel-adhesives.com/industrial/Loctite-Threadlockers-by-Color-14023.htm

I use red for the stuff I know I'll never need to break apart and blue or purple for stuff I may need to break loose at some point.

^ My very first experience with Loctite was after reading a tip here, I believe from you, about using an eye bolt into the threaded hole on a SuperClamp as an attachment point for safety cables.  I went to the hardware store with a SuperClamp in hand, and asked the guy if he could cut down some eye bolts for me, and why.  I got a couple, as I often use two clamps for spaced omnis, and the guy said, "You should add some Loctite; it will prevent the bolt from loosening and make your safety system more secure."  Sounded good to me.  He applied some red and sold me the rest of the bottle.  Needless to say, I now have a SuperClamp with a permanently attached eye bolt...

We use a lot of Loctite Red at work for securing stainless bolts in drilled/tapped holes in aluminum parts.  I warn customers not to try and remove these bolts by brute force, as they will often end up shearing the bolt off before the thread-locking compound gives way.  It is then near-impossible to successfully extract the remainder of the stainless bolt from the softer aluminum without destroying the part.

The key to successful disassembly of parts secured with Loctite Red is to heat the area (if even just the head of the bolt if heat would damage the finish of the threaded base material) with something like a propane torch prior to applying torque to remove the fastener.  The heat breaks down the thread-locking compound allowing the bolt to be loosened with far less torque.

We use Red because these applications are subjected to repeated reciprocal motion which would otherwise loosen the bolt over time and there is no other good way to mechanically lock the bolts in place securely.  Best to use the less aggressive formulations for assemblies which will need to be disassembled at some point, which should be entirely sufficient for most applications except those subjected to on-going repeated reciprocal motion or extreme vibration.

Hey, Gut. Where does superglue AKA cyanoacrylate fall on this spectrum?  Any idea?

[aaronji]

^^^ Thanks, Gutbucket!  That's very useful information, as I still have that bottle of Red but have been hesitant to use it due to it's strength.  Maybe I will want to remove that eye bolt at some point, too!

[tim in jersey]

Over the years I've seen quite a few folks ask about a replacement stud for the WindTech clamp that so many of us use.

Good news! I finally found out that WindTech does indeed offer just the stud. Just Google WindTech M-21.

http://www.windtech.tv/Adapters.php <-it's at the very bottom of the page...

[goodcooker]

Over the years I've seen quite a few folks ask about a replacement stud for the WindTech clamp that so many of us use.

Good news! I finally found out that WindTech does indeed offer just the stud. Just Google WindTech M-21.

http://www.windtech.tv/Adapters.php <-it's at the very bottom of the page...

They have been so hard to find that I thought about manufacturing them a few years ago - I bet a lot of folks have studless Windtech C clamps out there...

[mfrench]

Not enough good can be said; Manfrotto Mini-Clamp


In constant use. My Superclamp, not so much.

[ycoop]

I'm looking for a clamp that will allow me to attach a DR-40 to the middle of (someone else's) rig while also allowing it to lie flat and keep the internal mics on the same horizontal plane. DR-40 has standard 1/4" threads. Saw some clamps that looked good but wouldn't allow for the recorder to lie flat. Anyone have input?

[mnm207]

I'm looking for a clamp that will allow me to attach a DR-40 to the middle of (someone else's) rig while also allowing it to lie flat and keep the internal mics on the same horizontal plane. DR-40 has standard 1/4" threads. Saw some clamps that looked good but wouldn't allow for the recorder to lie flat. Anyone have input?

You might look at something like these:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/904449-REG/High_Sierra_M2_Clampette.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/560799-REG/Ultrapod_PD04020_UltraClamp_Aluminum_Support_Clamp.html Also available with a mini articulating arm.

The Manfrotto Mini-Clamp linked to in the post above yours is also a good bet.

All three should mount well enough to a rig based on square, round or flat bars.

My experience with the three clamps above is for holding lights and cameras. They'd do just fine holding a DR40 and wouldn't add much weight to a rig.

[capnhook]

Over the years I've seen quite a few folks ask about a replacement stud for the WindTech clamp that so many of us use.

Good news! I finally found out that WindTech does indeed offer just the stud. Just Google WindTech M-21.

http://www.windtech.tv/Adapters.php <-it's at the very bottom of the page...

Thanks for this link Tim.  A lot of great stuff here, even the painter-pole adapter, what a great idea.

I thought they would have what I was looking for.....but nope.

I can't find a 5/8" stud spigot adapter for the Windtech clamp.

Is there such an animal?

[Ronmac]

I'm looking for a clamp that will allow me to attach a DR-40 to the middle of (someone else's) rig while also allowing it to lie flat and keep the internal mics on the same horizontal plane. DR-40 has standard 1/4" threads. Saw some clamps that looked good but wouldn't allow for the recorder to lie flat. Anyone have input?

This combo will work:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/824360-REG/impact_cc_106r_super_clamp_with_ratchet.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/850307-REG/impact_bhe_106_ext_arm_6_with.html/pageID/accessory

[rocksuitcase]

Over the years I've seen quite a few folks ask about a replacement stud for the WindTech clamp that so many of us use.

Good news! I finally found out that WindTech does indeed offer just the stud. Just Google WindTech M-21.

http://www.windtech.tv/Adapters.php <-it's at the very bottom of the page...

Thanks for this link Tim.  A lot of great stuff here, even the painter-pole adapter, what a great idea.

I thought they would have what I was looking for.....but nope.

I can't find a 5/8" stud spigot adapter for the Windtech clamp.

Is there such an animal?

That stud IS on their site. but no link provided- Scroll ALL the Way DOWN and on the Right IS:

[capnhook]

Sorry for the confusion...I'm not looking for a 5/8"-27 threaded end.

A standard 5/8" spigot, with or without a 1/4"-20 stud on top >>>> 0.45" Spigot to fit into the Windtech clamp's 0.47" holes....I haven't been able to find.


Like this, but to fit into a Windtech clamp.

https://tinyurl.com/y82fr5n7



Easy part to make on a lathe.  Does anyone here turn parts?

[rocksuitcase]

Sorry for the confusion...I'm not looking for a 5/8"-27 threaded end.

A standard 5/8" spigot, with or without a 1/4"-20 stud on top >>>> 0.45" Spigot to fit into the Windtech clamp's 0.47" holes....I haven't been able to find.


Like this, but to fit into a Windtech clamp.

https://tinyurl.com/y82fr5n7



Easy part to make on a lathe.  Does anyone here turn parts?

Ah. Sorry to add to confusion! That e-bay listing does look like a useful adapter. I recently picked up a bunch of Manfrotto adapters from B&H- maybe peruse their accessory pages: (I know some do not like B&H-any of those parts should be locatable on other sites.)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Thread-Adapters-Fittings/ci/14722/N/3681064844
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Adapters-Brackets/ci/15906/N/4232861030

[Gutbucket]

I'm looking for a clamp that will allow me to attach a DR-40 to the middle of (someone else's) rig while also allowing it to lie flat and keep the internal mics on the same horizontal plane. DR-40 has standard 1/4" threads. Saw some clamps that looked good but wouldn't allow for the recorder to lie flat. Anyone have input?

This could work nicely, assuming the spring-clamp and articulated arm can support the weight of a DR-40.  Designed for cameras so it should.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/887899-REG/Dinkum_3006_Action_Pod.html