Tri-pod Grow Light (2G)

With the predominant use of smartphones​ ​ ​for cameras​ these days​, there must be millions of camera tripods around the world gathering dust or mildew  in attics, closets, garages, etc., unused and forgotten.  Well, they're not past their useful lives, yet. ​There are three great reasons​ they can be great holders of lamp/light fixtures​: they can swivel/turn 360 degrees, tilt up or down and  and more importantly - go up and down to the desired height.

First photo below shows a basic way to incorporate a light fixture to a tripod - a narrow flat board is all that is needed -  with very little effort or skill.​ Or, make a slightly more advanced application toward a reading or task light.  Or, for a slightly more involved grow light (latest project grow light 2G).

In non-metric countries, camera tripods have the standard connector bolt that is threaded to accommodate 1/4 - 20 (1/4 inch diameter hole with 20 threads per inch) for attachment to the bottom of the camera.

So, one needs only to drill a slightly smaller hole than the outside diameter of any regular 1/4 inch nut, shown below.

Next, using a rubber or wooden mallet, "hammer" the nut into the hole.

That' one way.  Another way was another simple project for a reading lamp using LED strip light on another tripod (I have four of these tripods accumulated over a period of four decades)

  Two of many different ways limited only by one's imagination; including the idle woodworker's latest way.  Or, just another reason to get a woodworking project out of it.

And, another way to make use of scrap wood. But no ordinary scrap wood. Some cut off pieces of oak which I purchased years ago  from a furniture shop.  They were in a box of assorted pieces sold by weight.

Using a hand plane, I flattened the sides and to remove the saw marks.

I ripped two pieces which will later be joined into one to make the desired length for the "arm" to which the light fixture will be attached.

Using the router table I created a 1/4 inch channel for the light cord

Drilling the hole for a threaded insert

Another threaded insert on one end of the arm to which the tripod bold can be threaded into.

The two pieces are glued together

Setting the table saw blade angle to 60/30 to make a hexagon.

Before assembly

As in the previous grow light project, turning this on at night (via timer), this is also effectively a dual purpose night light.

So, readers, don't throw those tripods away!