gordy strap tripod mount poll

[Gordon Coale]

I need your help. The thumb screw I use on my tripod mount straps is easy to turn but does kind of stick out there. The knurled thumb screw has a lower profile but is expensive. I have a customer that had a couple of suggestions for even lower profile attachments that I would like some feedback on. He suggested using socket head cap screws or a round head bolt. (I get my best ideas from my customers!) The socket head cap screws can be turned with fingers but are a little harder to do so than the thumbscrews. The round head bolt can be put on with fingers and then given a final turn with a coin. Check out the pictures and let me know your favorite.

 

[murrayb53]

Hi Gordy,

I like the low profile of the Round Head Bolt. I also feel this would be the most secure.

Steve

 

[blw]

I prefer either of the socket head types- if they could be milled on the outer side so that the camera could still be attached to a tripod with the strap left on.

Now it may just be easier to remove the strap if a tripod is needed, but it might be worth considering.

 

[lkgroup]

Hello Gody,

Haven't seen you since we had lunch in Coupville a couple years ago.

Any way I like the low profile of the Round Head Bolt also and also the black socket head screw.

How about offering the customer the option of buying two. I would get both so I could have a choice. Screw head when I know I will leave it on a camera for awhile and also the black one when I wanted to match a certain syle camera. Anyway all look nice.

Leo

In Burlington

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Round head bolt with "coin" slot appears to be the best. A coin or key should fit that slot. This has been the industry standard for a long time with battery compartments. It is the least likely to loosen over time which is a very important consideration. Some of the others seem a bit large and likely to get caught on clothing.

 

[BillBingham2]

Hi Gordy,

I kind of what the best of both worlds. I love the hex wrench socket holes because they are easy to find (a set at walmart is about $1 USD) and hard to strip (unlike flat head screws). Problem is they stick out way to far to make it comfortable on a IIIa. I am not convinced that the ones you found would hold as well as the large flathead screw. On the other side, the large flathead screw looks like your strap will NEVER fall off.

I am not in love or even like with the current thumb screw, thought it looks easy to get off. I just think it sticks out too far. Same with the knurled thumb screw, though it looks nicer. The socket caps are closer, but still stick out too far. If the slot on the flathead was the size of a quarter or a nickle, I'd say you had a winner.

The only camera I would ever use this sort of attachment on would be my old IIIa. My gut tells me that this is your primary market for this model.

Have you looked at Grainger for different screws and all? ( www.grainger.com) They are a LARGE supplier of the weird, headquartered just up north of me here in Chicago. They might have something in 3/8 and 1/4x20 for you. You need to purchase in large quantities (100 or more) to keep the price down.

On a different note, do you have a wrist strap option for those of us with fat wrists? I love the price, quality and design of your straps, but they are just a bit small.

B2 (;->

 

[dexdog]

Gordy, of the options presented, I prefer the round head bolt, because of the low profile, and also because it would be easy to get off and on using a coin as a screwdriver.

I have modified one of your straps using the mounting screw from an old Voigtlander ever-ready case that I picked up for $1 in the "junque" bin of a camera store. Low profile, and no tools required to attach or detach.

 

[vrgard]

Gordy, I think they all stick out too far and/or look too industrial. dexdog's version looks just right to me (thumb screw, low profile, matches the camera motif, etc.). I would follow Bill's advice and see what Grainger has to offer.

-Randy

 

[HuubL]

Round bolt head/coin slot would be my choice Gordy! Lesser hooks to get caught, lower profile.

 

[Gordon Coale]

The infinite wisdom of RFF has spoken. The round bolt head wins! (Actually it's a truss head machine screw.) The black socket head cap screw came in a distant second along with the knurled thumbscrew. I will be revising gordy's camera straps to reflect this. My original thumb screw goes away.

There were a couple of comments about how the round head looked the strongest. Without looking at the tensile strength of the fasteners I would wager the socket head cap srews were the strongest. I used to design wind tunnel models for Boeing too many years ago and they were put together with socket head cap screws. The reality is probably that, before any of these fasteners failed, the bottom of the camera would be ripped off.

I did check out Grainger but they didn't have anything applicable in thumbscrews. I might end up getting socket head cap and truss head screws from them. My tripod mount straps are pretty low volume and it would take a while to use up a hundred fasteners.

How about offering the customer the option of buying two. I would get both so I could have a choice. Screw head when I know I will leave it on a camera for awhile and also the black one when I wanted to match a certain syle camera.

Leo - Good to hear from you ! The fastener and nylon bushing are bonded together as a unit precluding swapping the fasteners. Of course, one could buy two straps to take care of their fashion needs! 🙂 And thanks again for that M42 28mm. It now lives on the black SP below.

If the slot on the flathead was the size of a quarter or a nickle, I'd say you had a winner.

Bill - A quarter will fit the slot.

On a different note, do you have a wrist strap option for those of us with fat wrists? I love the price, quality and design of your straps, but they are just a bit small.

Bill - Do check out my wrist straps, I've added longer versions of all my wrist straps for those with larger hands.

dexdog - I use the nylon bushing to avoid metal turning on metal. It protects the base plate. And I want to keep the full width of the leather at that point for maximum strength. I also don't want the leather crushed by the fastener as it tightens since that would weaken the leather over time.

I want to thank everyone who participated. I will be revising my site this weekend to put up the new fasteners.

 

[BillBingham2]

Gordy,

Most excellent on the longer wrist straps. I will give my old ones to my son and order two new ones!

From all the fat wristed folks out there, thank you!

B2 (;->