Summary

This is a modular mounting arm system with a permissive license that is very similar to the other models available here, but is designed to be fully customizable using the OpenSCAD GUI.

It was initially designed to mount a ring light or camera with a standard 1/4" camera mount, but it can easily be modified to mount many other things.

About

I wasn't too happy with the existing mounting arm solutions because many of the smaller mounting arms that would be suitable for my use case were designed to be GoPro compatible and use M5 fasteners, which are hard to find where I live. So, I've designed a system that can be configured to use just about any fastener.

Almost every design parameter can be changed within the GUI, just open the scad file in OpenSCAD and enable the customizer (Window > Customizer). To export the model, render the design with F6 and select File > Export.

I have also included an archive containing a selection of preconfigured parts using the best hole for 3D printing (6.6mm, because it fits both M6 and 1/4-20):

• 100, 150, 180, 200, 220 and 250mm long mounting arms in M6 and US ¼-20 variants
• Bases in both M6 metric an ¼-20 variants
• 90 degree adaptors to change the plane axis of rotation
• A standard ¼-20 camera mount that can accept a ¼" bolt and attach to a standard camera base

The preconfigured parts are designed for a 30mm / 1 ¼ " long fastener, with the exception of the camera mount, which has ½" and 1" variants.

The SCAD script is also capable of producing arms with the joint perpendicular to the arm itself.

Caveats

By default, the movement range of the arms will be limited to about 90 degrees, it is possible to extend this movement range further by lengthening the prongs of the joints, but this may weaken the joint slightly. Some designs employ angled reliefs in the joints to allow movement to extend slightly beyond 90 degrees, and I may implement this feature at some point in the future.

Update 19/03/2025: Some of you have asked me for the bolt knobs that are in the photo. I've added the one I used in my arm project to the thing files, but that particular knob was designed for a US 1/4-20 bolt. If you are looking for bolt knobs compatible with other fasteners, you can download my bolt knob pack here, or use one of the many other designs on Thingiverse.