A French Cleat Camera Mount

I don’t watch too many videos on the internet but sometimes I do. Your process seems like a sound one.

At least your photos are not posted upside down or sideways. This seems to be the champion website for that…....................

-- mike...............

Lol thanks Redryder. I try very hard not to have upside down photos or something sideways. A camera is just like a tool. The more you practice with it, the better you can get.

- Mike

-- look Ma! I still got all eleven of my fingers! - http://www.lepelstatcrafts.etsy.com - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCppWfrYGXCr5lm9uW-Fpqqw

Cool vid – I was trying to find out what a French cleat was – i think it must be an American thing LOL!

-- Live Forever...............or Die Trying

Neat idea Mike. It does look a little vulnerable mind you, with the centre of gravity being so high relative to the angle/joint of the cleat. The stability of the french cleat system (which I love by the way) relies on the object being hung having it’s weight below the joining point. I am sure you are aware of this, and as long as you’re happy with it, that’s what is important.

It is a good solution, and I’m sure will serve you well,

Cheers,
Garry

-- Garry fae Bonnie Scotland

Good idea, but as Garry said I wonder about the center of gravity.

-- "I love it when a plan comes together" John "Hannibal" Smith

I did think of the moment arm on the cantilever beam that is being created with this design. The arm is only 1 foot long. With the DSLR and the lens that is attached, the French cleat works well. I most likely wouldn’t extend the arm out any farther for the concerns you raised.

If you notice on my lumber rack, I have supports on the shelves. If I have a need for the camera support arm to go any longer, I might add a support like one of those to prevent failure. Also, if the arm does need to go longer, I am back in the range of where the tripod can sit.

The good thing is that this is a prototype. If it works, great! If not, modifications can always be made.

Thank you Garry and WoodNSawdust for the design feedback. It’s always good to have fresh eyes on your design.

-- look Ma! I still got all eleven of my fingers! - http://www.lepelstatcrafts.etsy.com - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCppWfrYGXCr5lm9uW-Fpqqw

You are welcome.

Would you consider a blog series about how you do the videos? I would like some pointers on how to make a few in my shop.

-- "I love it when a plan comes together" John "Hannibal" Smith

No problem.

Again, great idea,

Garry

-- Garry fae Bonnie Scotland

WoodNSawdust absolutely! What questions do you have? What would you like to know?

-- look Ma! I still got all eleven of my fingers! - http://www.lepelstatcrafts.etsy.com - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCppWfrYGXCr5lm9uW-Fpqqw

Not sure what questions I have, I have never tried shooting a video, editing it, and then posting it. I will think about it and then post a question. Thanks.

-- "I love it when a plan comes together" John "Hannibal" Smith

That looks like a great mount. I am always moving my tripod around and sometimes I just want to hang it from the ceiling or the wall to get the tripod out of the way. I would put a brace on the bottom of it like you had mentioned just it case….cameras are expensive. Great Idea!

-- Follow me on YouTube- http://YouTube.com/user/asliceofwoodworkshop

This is a cool idea, but I wouldn’t be able to handle the stress of having my DSLR perched on a French cleat. I wish you good fortune when using this setup with your DSLR. I’d be worried I would bump into it with something (like a board or my shoulder) and upset the delicate balance. Have you considered driving a screw through the mount into the wall? I realize that is rather redundant considering the purpose of a French cleat, but to me it would be worth that inconvenience to protect my camera investment. Or maybe you could cut a second 45 on your mount and add a second, inverted cleat to create a sliding dovetail system.

-- sswilcox, Oregon