Locally made tripod?

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Does anyone make tripods from local (Australian) wood, or know someone that does? I have a project in mind that I think would go really well with the beautiful dark red brown wood sometimes used in homes (flooring, etc).

Alternatively, could anyone recommend a type of wood that would work well from the point of view of vibration suppression? Obviously, strength is a virtue too but I'd expect there to be a midpoint too.

[anj026]

I don't know of an Australian manufacturer of tripods. I would recommend Tasmanian Oak as a suitable local wood. It is plantation grown, has good strength to weight and is readily available in pre-dressed lengths that can be cut/drilled easily.

I believe Tassie Oak is a commercial name for what is really a native Ash.

Jarrah is a nice darker coloured native wood, however it is heavy and expensive and not necessarily better for this application.

Commercial wooden tripods such as Berlebach (German) use European Ash.

http://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=firma&sprache=english

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Thanks Andy, I was wondering if there was a local outfit small or otherwise, as I can't be let near a saw or other instruments of destruction

The Berlebach tripods look nice. I've also seen Televue make one - in ash and for a few more $$, one in walnut. Any idea if they'd have different properties or if it's just aesthetic?

[anj026]

I'm not sure if the walnut has better properties, it does look nice.
Tele Vue tripods are made by KB Systems.

http://www.kbsystem.com/

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Thanks again Andy

[MattT]

I made a tripod from Tassie Oak a year ago. Very solid and cost all of $100 including bolts. It's not finished yet but I intend to put a Haymes water based 'decking oil' with a Merbu stain on it. I used this finish on an outside verandah with Oak boards and it looks like Merbu, very nice. Main size timber used is 30x70mm solid as a rock. Now it holds my home made 6" f12 Istar refractor beautifully.
Matt