MD80 Mini DV Camera Mount Bracket Mark IV.

Underline

 

Evolution II:

After yet another rethink it was decided that another modification to the bracket was required this time to make it a bit more universal for general use on and off of the bike. Once again a derivative of the Mark II bracket) but this time it is of a more stocky design with a 1/4" UNC x 20 thread on either side of the bracket body and one in the base. This can then be used free standing or with one of the homemade bracket arms. Like before the standard camera mount fixing will house to other camera holding devices such as a tripod or ram mount.

The Bracket Body:

My design for the bracket components are somewhat over engineered simply because I have access to the machinery and materials to be able to do the job. The main important dimension is for the slot that the camera sits in, the rest is open to adjustment.
  • Machine a piece of Aluminium or similar material to 45mm x 56mm x 16mm (bracket, figure 1).
  • Mill out a slot 7mm x 21mm x 42mm from one end as shown in figure 1 & 4.
  • Drill two diameter 6.2mm holes with a 30mm pitch, 23mm in from the same end as the slot.
  • Drill & tap a 1/4" x 20 UNC hole 25mm from the opposite end as the slot on both sides 11mm deep.
  • Drill & tap a 1/4" x 20 UNC hole 11mm deep on the center line of the base.
  • This is the basics for the Bracket Body, the other machining, (chamfers etc.) are just for looks.

The Camera Clamp:

This is the component that is going to hold the camera in place on the bracket in the machined slot, it is identical to the one found on the Mark II bracket only this time I have painted it black.
  • Machine a piece of Aluminium or similar material to 45mm x 12mm x 12mm (camera clamp, figure 7).
  • Drill and tap two M6 x 1.0mm holes 10mm deep, 30mm apart on the center line of the 45mm dimension.
  • Mill a slot 22mmwide 6mm deep between the two tapped holes.
  • Screw a piece of M6 x 1.0mm 30mm long studding in to each tapped hole.
  • Cut and stick a piece of 1mm thick rubber, 10mm wide by 22mm long in to the slot, (this is to protect the camera when clamping it to the bracket body).
  • This is the basics for the Camera Clamp, the other machining, (chamfers etc.) are just for looks.
  • Use two M6 x 1.0mm Nylock nuts on the studding to secure the camera, don't over tighten the nuts!

The Footage:

Using the picture link, (figure 8) you can visit You Tube and see some of the video footage captured from this camera. Bear in mind the original video quality has been compressed for uploading and as a result is not as good.


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Figure 1: Showing four views, (Front, Side, Rear and Top respectively) of the pivot "Vee" bracket component in it's painted finish..
Mark IV Bracket All Views.
Figure 1.


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Figure 2: Showing the Mark IV bracket assembly in an isometric view.
Isometric Image.
Figure 2.
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Figure 3: Left hand side view of the Mark IV bracket assembly showing the 1/4" UNC x 20 threaded hole.
Left Hand View.
Figure 3.

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Figure 4: Top view of the Mark IV bracket assembly showing camera slot, Nylock nuts and clamp arrangement .
Bracket Top View.
Figure 4.
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Figure 5: Right hand side view of the Mark IV bracket assembly showing the 1/4" UNC x 20 threaded hole.
Right Hand View.
Figure 5.

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Figure 6: Base view of the Mark IV bracket assembly showing the 1/4" UNC x 20 threaded hole.
Bracket Base View.
Figure 6.
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Figure 7: Showing four views, (Bottom, Side, Top, and End respectively) of the camera clamp component in it's painted finish with protective rubber pad.
Camera Clamp All Views.
Figure 7.

 YouTube Video Link. You Tube Video Link.
Figure 8.

Diagram 1: Mark IV Bracket Body (Basic Block Shape).

Mark IV Bracket Body Diagram.

Diagram 2: Camera Clamp (Basic Block Shape).

Mark II Camera Clamp Diagram.