DIY Multi-Purpose Lightstand

Someone asked me about this in another post a while ago, and I just got around to taking some photos of it.

I made this because, hey, DIY is in my blood, I can't help it.

The Docking Station (All Made of PVC + Caster Wheels):

I call it "docking station" because... see the below images for a couple examples of what gets to dock...

The lockable caster wheels make it mobile for a lazy person like me...

PWII Held by "No-Slip Grips":

Whoah. First ever custom light stand I've seen. Fantastic work! May even give this a go myself when I get time...

Jim G wrote in post #7775161
Whoah. First ever custom light stand I've seen. Fantastic work! May even give this a go myself when I get time...

Yea, you gonna need some time....

Seriously, though, it doesn't take too long especially if you've messed around with PVC tubes before...

very nice. now I have to try some ....

It looks top-heavy. Is it? Does the wheels 'trip' over small cracks, debris, gaps, etc.?

seanzky wrote in post #7775440
It looks top-heavy. Is it? Does the wheels 'trip' over small cracks, debris, gaps, etc.?

It's not top-heavy at all as shown with just the flash and a few other gadgets. It would be top-heavy if you place something really large and weighty. But, as I stated in the "Sexy Legs" section, the inner tubes of the legs are all filled with small pebbles, so it's bottom-solid. I can easily use an umbrella atop, and that'd be considered "nothing" given the "rock-solid" foundation.

Any wheels would trip over cracks and gaps and so on, but the pebble filled foundation as well as the "arms" allow for greater mobility in comparison to lighter foundation. One thing for sure is that the mobility is better than those commercially sold lightstand on wheels as they're not weighed down. Also, my DIY is meant for smooth surfaces whether indoors or outdoors, as would any similar units with wheels.

By the way, the reason why I made the legs rather compact is because I can't stand the ordinary lightstands with legs that spread out too much. If you squeeze the legs in a little with these commercial units, then they'd be more prone to tipping over due to their light foundation. I wanted a compact set of legs with heavy foundation, and I think I've accomplished that. To my satisfaction, at least.

This is one of the main reasons for going DIY rather than simply pressing the "order" button. Another reason for going DIY -- although you can probably get a cheap lightstand for about the same expense -- was to customize the unit to my liking and for my specific needs. Because of this, I'm actually using this DIY almost exclusively over my Impact lightstand.

Impressive. I wish I were that skilled as a DIY'er.

Very creative but it looks like it should have a mailbox or bird feeder on top instead of a flash

Dave F.

SYS wrote in post #7775648
By the way, the reason why I made the legs rather compact is because I can't stand the ordinary lightstands with legs that spread out too much. If you squeeze the legs in a little with these commercial units, then they'd be more prone to tipping over due to their light foundation. I wanted a compact set of legs with heavy foundation, and I think I've accomplished that. To my satisfaction, at least.

This is one of the main reasons for going DIY rather than simply pressing the "order" button. Another reason for going DIY -- although you can probably get a cheap lightstand for about the same expense -- was to customize the unit to my liking and for my specific needs. Because of this, I'm actually using this DIY almost exclusively over my Impact lightstand.

Thank you for answering my question. You've clarified my concerns. I wholeheartedly agree that the feet on these light stands are way too long. I find myself stepping on them or tripping over them 9 times out of 10! Granted that it's part of the design where balance is a priority, I'm pretty sure there's a way to engineer something so that the core balance in the middle will help shorter legs be just as stable if not more stable.

Kudos on the DIY. Because of you, others will experiment and take it to the next level. Once again, thanks for answering my questions. It wasn't meant to shut down your DIY or anything. I thought they were valid.

Thanks for the pics. Looks like an even more interesting unit, and now, my 'design' questions have been answered. Nice lookin' unit, too. How much does the 'base' weigh, with the pebbles, and secondly, do the wheels 'lock' so that the umbrella/stand combo don't go rolling off somewhere on their own?

Nice job! Care to put up a tutorial or maybe a diagram of parts?

inthedeck wrote in post #7776171
How much does the 'base' weigh, with the pebbles, and secondly, do the wheels 'lock' so that the umbrella/stand combo don't go rolling off somewhere on their own?

The "docking station" weighs approximately 10LBS, but it can get heavier simply by placing more pebbles or sand down the main tube.

Yes, the wheels are lockable with a simple toe step as you can see in the "Sexy Legs" photo.

Looks great. well done.