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Camera mount for under $10...DIY with supplies from homedepot

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Old 09-18-2002, 09:46 AM
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Default Camera mount for under $10...DIY with supplies from homedepot

Here goes the write up...
This will cost under $10 to make. Mine is not as pretty as some of the CNC machined ones... but since I don't drive around with a camera in the car all the time, I'm just concerned with functionality.

Step1: Gather supplies
2 - 2" 3/8 bolts
2 - washers
2 - wingnuts
1 piece of square metal tube
about 6" of 1/2 clear rubber hose
Things you will need to have...
Drill, vice, hack saw or air cutting tool, maybe a dremel as well.
Here are the supplies
<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket1.JPG">
Next remove your headrest and lay it on the tube so you know where to cut it.

<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket2.JPG">

Once you cut, clamp the 2 piece togethers in a vise. Then drill 2 holes in it for your 3/8" bolts.

<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket3.JPG">
Once you have the 2 holes drilled, bolt it together. Now put your headrest on it and mark where you need to drill. You need to drill right in the middle of the 2 pieces of tube.
<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket4.JPG">
<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket5.JPG">
Start drilling in between the bar stock. You will notice it is near impossible to do that without the drilling wanting to takes it own path of least resistance. Start the hole and then seperate the 2 pieces of tube. What you want it to do is something like this
<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket6.JPG">
Now what I did was take my cut off tool and cut it out the rest of the way. A dremel or even a hacksaw could do it. Take you more time but it could be done.
<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket7.JPG">
Now in the next pic you will see I cut it just enough to make sure I wasnt too far off when I would clamp the headrest. We need to cut it some more. The rubber hose you bought will act as a bushing when you clamp the 2 pieces of tube together on the headrest.
<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket8.JPG">
Once you grind it out some more start trial fitting it until you get it something like this
<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket9.JPG">
You want it to not come easily together because you want it to squeeze the hose some so it will be snug and secure.

Take your hose and cut it into 2 lengths and then split it lengthwise. That way you can just slip the hose on the headrest with out removing it.

When you are finished it should look like this.
<img src="http://www.robsaudiworld.com/bracket10.JPG">
The last thing you may want to do is take a file and round off any sharp edges you made from cutting it.
Old 09-18-2002, 09:52 AM
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Default Worked great for me!

I love my <A HREF="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1349196.phtml">home depot camera mount</a>!


btw--I know the images aren't working now. Stupid RoadRunner cable.
Old 09-18-2002, 09:53 AM
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Default you might want to add a 3rd bolt in the middle there

the bug's and mine looks about as nice as that only we took the hard way dremmel
Old 09-18-2002, 09:54 AM
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but how do you connect the camera? That's the expensive piece
Old 09-18-2002, 09:55 AM
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Default Rob is a professional and he certainly does not need any advice from a Bone.

I think the extra bolt would be a good idea. ;-)
Old 09-18-2002, 09:56 AM
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Sure it couldnt hurt.
Old 09-18-2002, 09:57 AM
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Default Most cameras just have have a threaded fitting at the bottom. Just drill and run a bolt up through

the bar and bolt the camera down. I didn't post exact details like that because each camera is a little different. But I'm sure you are clever enough to figure something out if you got this far
Old 09-18-2002, 09:58 AM
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Default I wish I had a picture of the one I designed...

Do you remember that one I had made from billet?
Old 09-18-2002, 09:58 AM
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Default Rob is a professional and he certainly does not need any advice from a ........

He said he used Duct Tape. :-O
Old 09-18-2002, 09:59 AM
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Default I used the same materials, but in a diff method...

I have a tripod set up on my pass seat, and two of those aluminum bars go from the headrest posts to the tripod, thus stabilizing it. I used the U-bolt (muffler clamp style) for the connections. Also, they sell little black plastic plugs for the end of the aluminum so you don't cut yourself.

I did the above because I wanted the ability to film out the passenger window. All of these other methods don't allow for that. It works quite well, and I can turn the camera on the fly. Also, I have a fully functional tripod. Cost at Home Depot was &lt;$10 and $19 for the tripod at Best Buy.

no pics, can you believe that?


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