In this post I’m going to show you how to make 3 very simple monopods for under 5 bucks!
Now keep in mind a tripod would give much better results than a monopod anyday. But if your in a fix or just want to pack light you can get some sharp photos using really low shutter speeds with these tools.
The first of which is the string monopod. I got this idea from Jon Adams and he got it from Chuvak1 on YouTube to view click (here). Its simple to make, just get a string that wont stretch cut it to be roughly your height, a washer, and a 1/4″ in diameter bolt (the exact bolt I got was a carriage bolt 1/4″ in diameter and 1″ long).
Then tie one end of the string to the washer, I just did a simple granny knot for that. Then take the other end of the string and attach it to the bolt, I used a lashing so it would look nice.
What the knots look like.
Look how compact!
What it looks like in action
Without String Monopod at 1/8th of a second
With String Monopod at 1/8th of a second
While I was at home depot I saw these other 1/4″ bolts and I got thinking “hey these would make some great mini monopods!” and guess what they do! Just pick out a size you would like the ones I saw ranged from 1″ long to 6″ long. (I decided on getting the 3″ and the 6″ as your see below)
The 3″ and 6″ carriage bolts
I did the lashings on these as well, so they would look nice. But lucky me it did more than just make them look nice. It also made them thicker so when I put on the two 1/8″ nuts (I think) on they fit pretty tight, I even had to screw them on.
Then I found some 5/8″ rubber caps that are normally for chairs that fit over the bottom of the bolts and nuts perfectly. Now they wont scratch my car if I decided to use it on the hood or something.
Here is the 3″ bolt in action
Here is the 6″ bolt in action
Without the mini monopod at 1/3rd of a second
With the mini monopod at 1/3rd of a second
I hope you liked this post. Hope it helps you in your photography.
