Phil Palmer Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 This was touched on in the Rastorder sound cart thread and I want to explore it more. I currently have my laptop mounted on a Ram Tough Tray. http://65.102.174.116/rammount/productdetail.aspx?partnumber=RAM-234-3&searchTerm=ram2343&item=1 It has four mounting holes on the bottom, which I attached a plate, then a 5/8" receiver. A little more hardware and there you go...it's on the cart. The only problem is that it's a fixed mount. I have to remove it for travel and storage. I'd love a swing arm style with locking whatever... Let's see some laptop mounts that folks are using on their carts. Show and tell time... Thanks, ~PWP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 This was touched on in the Rastorder sound cart thread and I want to explore it more. I currently have my laptop mounted on a Ram Tough Tray. http://65.102.174.116/rammount/productdetail.aspx?partnumber=RAM-234-3&searchTerm=ram2343&item=1 It has four mounting holes on the bottom, which I attached a plate, then a 5/8" receiver. A little more hardware and there you go...it's on the cart. The only problem is that it's a fixed mount. I have to remove it for travel and storage. I'd love a swing arm style with locking whatever... Let's see some laptop mounts that folks are using on their carts. Show and tell time... Thanks, ~PWP The ones I saw were all custom -made. Philip Perkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 Mine is attached to a standard Middle Atlantic rack shelf with nothing but velcro and a security lock. Easy to install and remove. 2.5 years so far and still staying in place. -Darren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 The ones I saw were all custom -made. Philip Perkins I'm referring to the "swing-away" style mounts--is there an off-the-shelf vesion of those? Philip Perkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Palmer Posted September 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 I'm referring to the "swing-away" style mounts--is there an off-the-shelf vesion of those? Philip Perkins Not that I know of. That's why I asked for some pictures or whatever. To get an idea for a custom mount if I need to. I know some people have crafted swing away mounts out of monitor wall mounts. Some of these wall mounts have locking ability. Might be something to rig up. ~PWP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curleysound Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 http://www.memory-map.co.uk/acatalog/laptop_mounting_accesories.html This site is in the UK, but they have locking whatevers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Timan Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 Not that I know of. That's why I asked for some pictures or whatever. To get an idea for a custom mount if I need to. Hi Phil, Here's a few shots of my swing-out laptop tray -- extended, tucked under the mixer, and with it tucked under from above. Advantages to it are that this is very lightweight and swings in and out well. Disadvantages are that it's not sturdy enough to leave the computer on for anything but short moves, and it could use a more elegant fastening system than the fancy gaffer's tape you see in the photo. Hope that helps! nvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dedgar Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 They have some nifty mounts and swing arms that can be easily modified for cart use at www.jottodesk.com I don't use them on the cart but I do use them in my car and truck, they are solidly made and will last, but can be a bit pricey. Cheers, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel McIntosh Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 A Bogen Magic Arm with a monitor tray mounted on a Mafer gives solid support and you can position the laptop exactly where you want it. Downers: It is heavy, and you need two hands to adjust it. No quick "swing out of the way" action. You'll have to use heavy duty velcro on the laptop bottom to attach it. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325446-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_143N_Magic_Arm_Without_Camera.html http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/3199 I haven't used this variable friction arm- it may allow one handed use. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325444-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_244N_Variable_Friction_Magic_Arm.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Harber Posted September 8, 2007 Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Funny this should come up as am typing this off my beta 0.l7 laptop mount. My cart revolves around speedrail so I put a T that faces horizontally on the left front corner of the cart. It isn't tightened so it can rotate left and right. Off that comes a 12" pipe that ends in a right andgle that faces up. Coming up from that is a 2" spud of speedrail that the plate for the laptop mounts, also un-tightened so it can rotate. I have the same rig on the right side for sound reports and when I move far I pull the platters from the speedrail spuds and sing the arms to the side of the cart. Pictures maybe soon if I can figure it out. Scott Harber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 8, 2007 Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Hi Phil, Here's a few shots of my swing-out laptop tray -- extended, tucked under the mixer, and with it tucked under from above. Advantages to it are that this is very lightweight and swings in and out well. Disadvantages are that it's not sturdy enough to leave the computer on for anything but short moves, and it could use a more elegant fastening system than the fancy gaffer's tape you see in the photo. Hope that helps! nvt That's pretty hip--I don't know how much more elegant it could be under the circumstances (which is what drives people to Mac Minis I guess). Did you make that yourself? One reason I'm still on a magliner/table style cart, despite the seductions of a vertical or case cart is that I often record to a laptop and like it firmly anchored with the connections protected in a way that they won't be stressed on a move. I think Darren B had this pretty well worked out on his Metacorder rig. Philip Perkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Timan Posted September 9, 2007 Report Share Posted September 9, 2007 That's pretty hip--I don't know how much more elegant it could be under the circumstances (which is what drives people to Mac Minis I guess). I am still considering a Mac Mini, but I want to see what next year's purported Apple sub-laptop looks like first. I would like a more elegant solution than gaffer's tape in the meantime to secure the laptop to the tray -- hopefully I can find some clips or clamps that will work with what I've got without damaging the computer or tray. Did you make that yourself? No...I extensively modified my last cart every time I got an idea, and learned from that process that I'm better off opening my wallet than my toolbox when it comes to anything other than simple metalwork. I'm pretty good with wiring and building electronics -- not so much with welding and wheel assemblies. This laptop tray was commissioned as part of the custom cart I had built this last time. One reason I'm still on a magliner/table style cart, despite the seductions of a vertical or case cart is that I often record to a laptop and like it firmly anchored with the connections protected in a way that they won't be stressed on a move. I think Darren B had this pretty well worked out on his Metacorder rig. I used a Magliner for years, but in New York it's just too difficult -- too hard to fit it in the inevitable tiny corners and too hard to carry it up stairs. I still have it but now it's my follow cart (which can be left outside or downstairs from set). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Palmer Posted September 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2007 Hi Phil, Here's a few shots of my swing-out laptop tray -- extended, tucked under the mixer, and with it tucked under from above. Thanks Noah. Well done. I'm with you on having someone else do the fabricating of the sound cart. Thanks again for the pix. ~PWP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Palmer Posted September 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2007 Funny this should come up as am typing this off my beta 0.l7 laptop mount. My cart revolves around speedrail so I put a T that faces horizontally on the left front corner of the cart. Pictures maybe soon if I can figure it out. Thanks Scott. Would really like to see this mount and your speedrail cart design. ~PWP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Palmer Posted September 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2007 Hello all, Thanks for all the links and suggestions. I am actually most interested in the swing out style of mount. As I mentioned in my first post, I currently have a laptop mount that is in a fixed position. This requires removal when moving the cart around. I'd really like something that swings and locks into the cart in some way. Here is my laptop mount...which is a Ram-Mount with some hardware store and grip equipment modifications. Thanks... ~PWP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Harber Posted September 11, 2007 Report Share Posted September 11, 2007 Hi Phillip, I can't figure out how to post pictures but here's a link to a page I slapped together to show the speedrail cart and the laptop mount rigged this week. http://homepage.mac.com/dangmeprod/PhotoAlbum2.html Scott Harber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted September 11, 2007 Report Share Posted September 11, 2007 Pictures of Scott Harber's sound cart - Jeff Wexler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Palmer Posted September 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2007 I think the speedrail frame and platform for the rack cart design is a great way to go. I looks very stable, well protected. Would like to see how the main wheels and axle are attached. Thanks, PWP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Timan Posted September 11, 2007 Report Share Posted September 11, 2007 I think the speedrail frame and platform for the rack cart design is a great way to go. I looks very stable, well protected. I had a speedrail cart for about seven years made of 3/4" rail. Advantages were that it was very light, but disadvantages were that it did not hold up well to excessive bouncing and jouncing and a lot of weight. After some years he little allen screws that close all the speed rail knuckles and joints were always coming loose and sections were always coming apart at inconvenient times. I would replace the knuckles, screws and sometimes the rails themselves, but it took a lot of upkeep. It was a stable cart for some years, but time and repeated off-roading adventures coupled with a lot of weight took its toll on the frame and wheels and axles and eventually I gave up on it. Scott's frame looks a bit more consolidated than mine was and he has less stuff on there, so hopefully he'll fare better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Harber Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Here's some pics of the rear wheel mounts. They are recessed from the sides to match the width of the boxes of the cart and set in towards the front to put the balance more forward making it easier to tip back on the beefier wheels. Here's some pics of the back axel which is held by a piece of 1" stock cut the length of the speedrail set screws. Good times at metal shop. Scott Harber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Harber Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Here's the other pics I meant to post. SH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Harber Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Here's the computer mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.