Comanche camera mount Bracket

[Pav]

things always happen slowly here! , but got a chance to start on something today. Based on your idea (well a complete bootleg to be true!).

Really need to get hold of some 20mm acrylic. As far as I know the laser cutter here will cut upto 20mm Acrylic. Once drawn it can be batch produced easily. So if I can get the material and the laser cutter is up to the job happy to batch produce.

The 12mm clear acrylic was all I could find here. 12mm is suprisingly tough, but I think 20mm is the way to go.

For information I think you want the bracket inside diameter to be 31mm for a snug fit.

I am considering having the small circle bracket fixed (if you can see in the photo behind the bracket is a part that sits flusher to the edge of the gun). Also see 2nd photo. Then the bracket (arm) will bolt to the front of this with 2 fixings. This will create less of an obstruction when the arm is removed.

Early days, but loads of time until the water warms!

Engraved Spearo Mount just because I'm a nerd!

 

[James T]

I don't know much about acrylic plastics - but the two types look different to me? is the one you used Scott not softer - Pav your version looks harder/more brittle.

If I want to make the same how do you describe the difference (or is it as simple as hard acrylic vs. soft acrylic :head)

 

[Pav]

Acrylic in my view is brittle in thin thickness. It is suprisingly solid when you get upto 12mm , so imagine 20mm + is SOLID. I'm going down the acrylic route at the moment purely because it is very easy to laser cut.

I reckon Nylon or ABS if you can get it in block form would be a better option re. durability. At the moment I am just finding it difficult to get hold of anything of any thickness.

Machining from aluminium alloy block is another option. Could tap threads so you could bolt the arm to it.

Any ideas re. materials? and availability.

 

[scottwilson]

AAAAHHHH the block I used was nylon, my apologies for any confusion.

I had acrylic on my mind from a DV camera housing project, not the cheapest stuff to buy .

PAV/JAMES if you want a small nylon block to mess around with im sure I can find 2 from work

Using ali is a cool Idea, No rust, looks good and very light.

 

[Trelawney]

I've almost finished a camera mount for my Cyrano 850. Its a moulded block of resin, cast around a piece of drainpipe the same diameter as the barrell.

I sanded the top flat and curved the ends over so it can be secured with two jubilee clips. It will be mounted on a sleeve of old inner-tube, that will protect the barrell, and can be folded back over to cover the clips.

Its only a prototype so far.

 

[James T]

I am really interested in how you get on Trelawney - is that a gopro 5 ? would love to see the video quality...

 

[Trelawney]

Yeah its the new Hero 5 Wide. Its a shame that you can only use the Go-Pro mounts, as the camera body isn't threaded. I'm going to glue a base onto the top of the white mount with araldite. Then I have just got to figure out how to use Windows movie maker!

 

[Pav]

looks nice. I guesse its pneumatic, as would be in the way on an euro band gun.

still the neatest solution I've seen.

I've been considering the camera position. If to have the spear gun central to the camera frame, or to the side for a different view of things.

What plastic did you cast in? I now remember a bag of plastic pellets at work!

 

[scottwilson]

Looks like we in for some good video this year . very nice Bracket mate.

Would it not throw your aim out a bit or give you a blind spot when lining up on a fish?

 

[Trelawney]

To Pav:
Its cast in solid marine Gel-coat. I'm thinking that I might make the MK2 version out of fibreglass, as the gel-coat seems to be a bit brittle by itself. Its going to be sprayed black and laquered.

Scottwilson:
I normally line up down the side of the gun, and I can shoot quite instinctivly with the Cyrano, as its been my main gun for a number of years. I've got some side mount ideas if I keep missing, but its a bit limiting with just using the Go-Pro mounts.

 

[scottwilson]

Ive always prefered the view down the barrel but kept missing so I went to the side mount instead.

gopro housings are a bit anal mate, look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[Mr. X]

Some ingenious ideas & impressive workmanship.

James, that's a neat little reel you have on your handmade spear gun.

 

[Robbo66]

Just finished this mount, will let you know how I get on.

 

[abusingelves]

nice mount robbo, saw a very similar version somewhere. i think it had a rubber grommet between the two eye bolts, to reduce shock to the camera.

 

[Pav]

It looks good!

Did you have to drill the gun shaft?
Will you remove the arm or will it be a permanent fixture?

 

[Robbo66]

I'll probably need to modify it, maybe insert the rubbers on the eye bolt as suggested and cut the thread length down. I didn't want the camera to interfere with my line of sight being too close to the barrel.
I drilled out the line clip and inserted the bolt, simple. Barrel was also easily removed and you could have cut it down if needed, may now consider this with a 100 that I never use.
The plastic star wheel worked well, clamped right down without even a need for a nylon or S/S washer, fitted right into the recess.

 

[Pav]

I need to understand the following before I persue an alternative.
When you drill a hole into the gun is it hollow (I am assuming it is at the moment).

SO.. my concern with all these fixtures is water getting inside the tube of the gun. Am I correct or is it infact solid at this point or foam filled?

If it is hollow you cannot remove the fitting as it will allow water into the tube. SO.. drill hole and fit in a brass tube. Seal and fix tube with epoxy resin.

Then something like Robbo's can be fitted and removed quickly, without the fuss of having to seal the holes. It would be possible to remove or fit your camera arm during a session, or change the camera for a torch mounting, especially with the thumb tightening screw fixture Robbo shows.

 

[Robbo66]

Pav,

You drill out the line clip, that already has a bolt running through the solid carbon barrel. The barrel is not hollow on my gun.
When I'm not using the mount I simply replace the long bolt with a flush mounted shorter bolt traversing again through the barrel, and tightened with another star wheel on opposite side. All must be S/S obviously.

 

[Pav]

been searching web for a marine quick release fixture. Difficult to describe what I'm looking for, but basicaally something that will push in and lock (like tent poles click together... but marine engineering and reliability).

Any ideas?.. I want to use it so I can have a permanent fixture that the camnera and mount can be attatched to quickly in the water... with a push and a click!

some alternative ideas here... http://www.ronsseacorner.co.nz/photo_gun_cam.htm

 

[Trelawney]

Go-Pro mount all finished now. It was used today for the first time, but no footage coz I wiped it off the card.:head