As some of you may know, I recently built my own 4x5 view camera. Because all I had tripod-wise couldn't even remotely cope with its weight (and because it was time to get a ew tripod and tripod head anyway), I decided to build my own. After looking at many various designs and plans on the internet, I stumbled on this site :
http://ludens.cl/photo/tripod/tripod.html
Which detailed plans for a folding leg design wooden tripod. Because I couldn't make my own brass parts (as the author of that page did) and I had lots of padauk of a smaller size laying around, I modified the plans slightly, using 5/16" bolts, neoprene washers (~2mm thick), and 20mmx30mm padauk. Rather than using the "spacer" wood that the author used, I just used 20mmx34mm strips for the top section to make room for the washers.
Here is the product, assembled (mostly) and unfinished :
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I purchased a Manfrotto 329RC4 head and an extra plate (one plate for my Canon, one for my 4x5 camera). I made some triangular risers from some more paduak I had lying around, then used a hole saw to make a wooden "washer" to make it easy to use the panning control. Add a big neoprene washer, tighten from the bottom, and you're good to go. I then completely disassembled my tripod, gave it a final sanding, then apply finish of your choice (I used watco oil).
Final Product (not the greatest picture color-wise, but you get the idea):
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Be sure to make the lower leg sections slightly shorter than the top so they fold in completely.