Overhead Camera Boom

I’ve decided that it’s time to upgrade the workbench camera so I picked up a new Microsoft LifeCam Studio with HD sensor. It’s a very nice 1080p camera that comes with a flexible mount that can be connected to a tripod. This also allows easy mounting to this overhead boom that I built from PVC pipe parts which lets me position the camera virtually anywhere over my workbench! Having this camera also frees up my JVC video camera so that I can use it to record videos of projects while I’m broadcasting on my ustream channel with the LifeCam.

The parts for the boom cost about $35 and took about an hour to assemble. I might make a change to the overhead mount and see if I can use a double roller channel from a pocket door. This will facilitate easier movement of the boom without having to deal with rotation caused by the weight of the boom. For now, this assembly serves its purpose quite nicely!

Thanks go out to atdiy and whisk0r of Toymaker Television for the cool Hack A Week song. “Thanks guys!”

Keep on hackin!