M3 tripod design

[Karl_T]

We're building our own M3 tripod...

This week's work is the tripod center that holds the pintle and attaches the three legs. The bushing that holds the pintle looks to be made of brass. We have questions about this part for anybody that has an M3 tripod.

First, how is the brass attached? Any bolts, just a press fit? Other?

Second, a standard pintle has two small diameter areas that could be for pins or something on the tripod. Is there a hold-in pin on the M3 tripod?
http://www.cranetechnologiesinc.com/3050TaperedPintle.html

if anybody could take close up pics of these areas, we'd be grateful.

Karl

[Kali Komrade]

I think the bushing on my M2 tripod is bronze... Some people are making them out of mild steel now... and they are a press fit... The grooves in the tapered pintle are for the catches the upper one takes the catch to the M2 tripod and the bottom one the M3 tripod... Hence the name 30/50 pintle...:big: