Camera Tripod: a Four-Fold Ash Tripod Stand (Hasluck, 1902)

Cut laths of good ash, true and square or the stand won't be rigid, and round the edges slightly: six 17 1/4 x 5/8 x 3/8 in, six 16 x 5/8 x 3/8 in, six 15 1/2 x 5/8 x 3/8 in, and three 14 x 5/8 x 5/8 in.

On each 17 1/4 in lath let in flush a 1/16 in brass plate, 1 1/4 in long, with a 3/16 in hole 1/4 in from the top, held by two countersunk brass screws; bore the wood to match and take off the top corners. On one lath of each pair cut a groove inside, about 3/16 in deep and 3 1/2 in long, starting 2 in from the top, and hinge a 1/8 in brass rod stretcher in it on a pin. On the other lath cut a curved groove 1 1/2 in long, 3/16 in wide, with a small hole at the bottom where the rod catches.

Bore the rivet holes: in the long laths 1 3/4 in from the lower end, counterbored so the copper rivet head sits flush, then 1/8 in through; in the 16 in and 15 1/2 in laths 1/2 in and 1 3/4 in from the ends; in each 14 in piece 1/2 in from one end, and taper its other end for a pointed iron shoe or a steel point and ferrule. Rivet the 21 laths into three legs with 1/8 in copper rivets and washers: a 16 in lath inside each 17 1/4 in one, a 15 1/2 in lath inside that, the 14 in foot between the last pair. Rivets flush, just tight enough to fold but not loose.

Screw 1/16 in brass strips across the bottom ends of each pair of laths (Fig. 229). Under them screw strips carrying a small brass button riveted at the centre; turned, the button hooks over the strip above and locks the joint open (Fig. 230).

Plane ash to 1/2 in and draw an equilateral triangle with 8 1/2 in sides. Bisect the angles; 2 in from each corner draw a line at right angles, go 1/2 in in along the sides, and mark three rectangles 2 7/8 x 3/4 in; cut the outline (Fig. 231). Fix a 3/16 in brass rod, one end tapered, across each rectangle, bored 3/8 in from the outer edge and projecting about 1/2 in, for the legs to hang on. Bore a 1/4 in hole in the centre for the camera screw and glue felt on top.

Glasspaper and varnish the wood, and lacquer the brass.