I redesigned the simple base/stand for the LT1 Mini, adding more functions.
First and foremost it’s still a stand to keep it from tipping over. I changed the shape to make it easier to unscrew the tail cap when changing the battery with the base attached.
Originally, I had holes that could be used to attach cord to hang the light from a branch or other the like for overhead lighting – this works best with the diffuser/head removed.
I added a hook to quickly/easily hang the light from a guy line in a tent or a camp site.
Since the Mini has a removable metal bail, I added mounting points for a third method for hanging the lantern inverted for overhead lighting.
Inside I mounted a neodymium magnet.
And last, I added a 1/4-20 nut to mount the Mini on a tripod.
I don’t have the light and probably won’t get one, but I was looking at that tripod nut and wondered if it’s securely captive? From here it looks like the light could topple off of the tripod if the nut can possibly wiggle loose. I don’t know the first thing about 3D printing but would one of the knurled nutserts be a safer option? You see these an awful lot in many molded housings and they hold extremely securely. Seems like the printing crowd uses these a lot. The other idea I had was putting the recess for the nut on the opposite side of that plate so that the tension is pulling the plate tightly against the tripod foot…that way even if the nut loosened in its mount the light would still be held securely with no risk of toppling.
Love seeing this stuff and I think 3D printing is one of the neatest developments to come along in a very long time…just amazing what people have done with it on so many different levels/applications.
I could have used something like that, but I had a stainless 1/4-20 nut I wanted to use and figured people wanting to print one of these could get one from any hardware store, if they didn’t have one already. The nut fits into the print with a tight friction fit and with that and a drop of crazy glue, it ain’t going anywhere.
Originally, I mounted the nut from the top, but found that even a 1 mm gap was too much for good engagement with the short screws on most tripods. The nut needed to be very nearly flush, so I mounted it through the bottom of the print.
Looking slick and professional! I think even if the plastic were to crack on the bottom/thin side of the pocket, if the nut fits snugly then that’s probably enough friction to keep it in place (unless the plastic really gives way). That insert looks great, nice work.
Cool, only thing I would like is to probably take out the 1/4 20 text. It creates kind of a weak point, especially if printing with a larger nozzle like 0.6.
I made the hole on the bottom as big as I could so that the thin section around the bottom of the nut is very stiff and the nut does not have a lot of leverage to cause a crack to develop.
