Hi guys,
Over the years, I have found all kinds of applications for using Loc-Line hose and most of these have been for low voltage fixed lighting. I have designed and had a number of custom Loc-Line fixtures and components in this vein.
One component I have had in mind for a number of years finally came to be. It is an anodized aluminum (6061) connector that provides a female 1/4"x20 thread at the end of a section of Loc-Line. By putting one of these at each end of the Loc-Line you essentially have a flexible tripod extension. Adding a socket set screw to one of the connector provides both male and female genders.
In the photo above you can see a stalk assembly as well as a loose connector and 1/2" long set screw. The connector is not tapped completely through so there is a stop for the 1/4"x20 screw. The pilot hole does go all the way through so the thread depth could be extended with a tap if the need was there.
The pic below shows a couple ideas and applications for this tripod stalk
In the example showing the Sapphire light, I removed the connector from the one end and slipped a section of 1/2" vinyl tubing over the loc-line and the sapphire is pressed into this tubing for a secure mount.
In the image below, I used a rubber clamp that I got somewhere, sometime ago, mounted to one end of the tripod stalk. This clamp will hold any light with a 1" OD section.
In the photo below, the SF Titan screws directly to the male end of the tripod stalk and I drilled a hole through the utility clamp and secured it to the other end of the tripod stalk with a 1/4"x20 screw.
At some point, I want to consolidate some of the other Loc-Line custom connectors as well as get a few other ideas and components gathered together in a reasonable and more comprehensive "system" of gizmos. It just requires, time, money, focus and motivation; all of which I seem to be lacking in.
In the mean time, if any of you guys are interested in one of these tripod stalks, I can turn this thread into an offering with the standard line of how to order and such. I figure $20 plus postage would be the price.
The assembly would consist of 10 ea. of the Loc-Line hose sections, a socket - socket connector and 2 ea. of the aluminum 1/4"x20 connectors. One of the connectors will have a removable set screw in it. Basically the assembly is that shown in the first image above but not including the loose third connector or second set screw.
There are all kinds of the little desk top tripods to be had at reasonable prices and with so many of the small digital point and shoot cameras, there may be a market for this tripod stalk. For those of us wanting or using a flexible stalk for hands free flashlight mount, with the addition of some type of flashlight holder, this stalk can be used in such a manner. Somewhere in Berkeley I have a bunch of magnets I bought years ago that would serve easily as a magnetic base for these stalks. Obviously at this point, many of these applications and ideas would require a DIY approach to a completed assembly and I welcome any ideas or examples to be shared here in the thread.
A priority for me is a flashlight mount similar to the one shown above holding the SunDrop and before I go to the trouble of designing one and paying for a mold, I would like to see if I can find a ready made solution.
EDIT See post #17 for info on these now being offered - Thanks! :bow:
Over the years, I have found all kinds of applications for using Loc-Line hose and most of these have been for low voltage fixed lighting. I have designed and had a number of custom Loc-Line fixtures and components in this vein.
One component I have had in mind for a number of years finally came to be. It is an anodized aluminum (6061) connector that provides a female 1/4"x20 thread at the end of a section of Loc-Line. By putting one of these at each end of the Loc-Line you essentially have a flexible tripod extension. Adding a socket set screw to one of the connector provides both male and female genders.
In the photo above you can see a stalk assembly as well as a loose connector and 1/2" long set screw. The connector is not tapped completely through so there is a stop for the 1/4"x20 screw. The pilot hole does go all the way through so the thread depth could be extended with a tap if the need was there.
The pic below shows a couple ideas and applications for this tripod stalk
In the example showing the Sapphire light, I removed the connector from the one end and slipped a section of 1/2" vinyl tubing over the loc-line and the sapphire is pressed into this tubing for a secure mount.
In the image below, I used a rubber clamp that I got somewhere, sometime ago, mounted to one end of the tripod stalk. This clamp will hold any light with a 1" OD section.
In the photo below, the SF Titan screws directly to the male end of the tripod stalk and I drilled a hole through the utility clamp and secured it to the other end of the tripod stalk with a 1/4"x20 screw.
At some point, I want to consolidate some of the other Loc-Line custom connectors as well as get a few other ideas and components gathered together in a reasonable and more comprehensive "system" of gizmos. It just requires, time, money, focus and motivation; all of which I seem to be lacking in.
In the mean time, if any of you guys are interested in one of these tripod stalks, I can turn this thread into an offering with the standard line of how to order and such. I figure $20 plus postage would be the price.
The assembly would consist of 10 ea. of the Loc-Line hose sections, a socket - socket connector and 2 ea. of the aluminum 1/4"x20 connectors. One of the connectors will have a removable set screw in it. Basically the assembly is that shown in the first image above but not including the loose third connector or second set screw.
There are all kinds of the little desk top tripods to be had at reasonable prices and with so many of the small digital point and shoot cameras, there may be a market for this tripod stalk. For those of us wanting or using a flexible stalk for hands free flashlight mount, with the addition of some type of flashlight holder, this stalk can be used in such a manner. Somewhere in Berkeley I have a bunch of magnets I bought years ago that would serve easily as a magnetic base for these stalks. Obviously at this point, many of these applications and ideas would require a DIY approach to a completed assembly and I welcome any ideas or examples to be shared here in the thread.
A priority for me is a flashlight mount similar to the one shown above holding the SunDrop and before I go to the trouble of designing one and paying for a mold, I would like to see if I can find a ready made solution.
EDIT See post #17 for info on these now being offered - Thanks! :bow:
Last edited:
(no pun intended). This would be a really cool flashlight / desklight / camping light stand! :thumbsup: I could definitely picture myself using this in the future.
