Clampable Projector Mount

So I have a Cinco de Mayo gig this weekend. It's a small venue with almost no room for a projector. So I was searching for a stand or mount for my short throw projector. I found this video. This is excactly what I need.


This projector mount will hold your valuable beamer securely while allowing you to point it most anywhere you would need. The components can be found at Lighting/Grip or Photography resellers. The parts as described here run about $130 – not cheap, but well worth it to protect and properly utilize your expensive video projection box.
Thanks to VJ Exavior for the inspiration and original design!
(aside: if someone comes up with a way to make this out of cheaper parts, do let me know!)
Here’s how the construction works:
1. The Clamp. I used a 6 inch clamp, specifically, a Matthews Matthellini 6″ End Jaw Clamp, approx $50 new. Make sure you get one that has rubber coating inside to protect the surface to which you are clamping.
2. The Clamp slides into the Grip Head, for which I used a Manfrotto Avenger D200 – approx $23 new.
3. The Grip Head slides into a Swivel Pin, in this case an Avenger F830 Baby to Junior Swivel Pin – approx $35 new.
4. At the end sits a Mounting Plate – I used an Avenger F800 3″ Baby Wall Plate – approx $12 new.
5. The last piece will have to be custom fit to your projector:
Start with a board at least 2 inches larger than your projector on each side.
Make a stencil by laying a bit of paper over your projector and using an awl or screwdriver to punch holes through the paper into the screw holes in the projector.
Tape the stencil to your board, and drill through both. Now the 3 (or 4) holes in your board match the spacing of the 3 (or 4) holes in your projector base.
Attach the board to the Mounting Plate, and then the board to the projector.
I usually get my clamp all set up first, then bring the projector up to it and make fine adjustments. For extra security, run a cable through the Grip Head and around a beam or well-fastened pipe. This way, your projector won’t fall and kill someone if it does somehow slip loose.