Any ideas on how to securely attach a tripod mount (2 actually, 1 on either end) to a v-slot bar? I don't have very advanced tools so doing metal cutouts is going to be difficult. Tripod screw is 1/4"
One of my favorite go-to's is drilling out the center hole of the Cross Joining Plate and tapping it 1/4-20 and then using the outboard most holes to anchor into the V-slot. Another idea would be screwing the upper half of an aftermarket quick release plate set directly to the bottom of the rail and then mounting the bottom half to the tripod in the normal manner.
Unfortunately I'm planning on using gorillapods so can't do a quick release plate. I don't follow when you mention tapping it 1/4-20 do you mean like a counterbore? If so, would 3mm thickness be enough?
1/4-20 is the most commonly used screw thread size on tripods (1/4" screw, 20 threads per inch). The suggestion above involves drilling out the hole to a slightly larger size and then threading the hole. (Tap set) As for QR plates, as long as you use an aftermarket two piece set it will work fine with a gorilla pod. The bottom piece has a hole that threads onto a standard tripod screw. (example, another example)
Hmm I like the QR idea but I don't think there will be room on the bottom of the v slot to drill in to... As for the first point I meant that the plate you linked me to is only a few mm thick and I'm wondering if that is enough. I'll have to look in to finding some aluminum plate somewhere.
Buy two mending plates, one for each end of the V-Slot. You want them to be long with a single row of holes and the holes need to be bigger than 1/4". You can anchor each mending plate to the V-Slot with a couple of T-Nuts and some M5 screws. The holes will be too big for the M5 screws, but that is ok. Just use a fender washer under the M5 screwhead to make a secure connection. On the end, you now have a single hole that you can line up with the tripod mount. Go to the knobs section of your hardware store and get a 1/4-20 knob with a knurled or wing handle. You want the bolt to be as short as they have. Also get some extra 1/4" washers to act as spacers. You can use the knurled screw to attach the mending plate with the tripod mount. The shortest bolt length will likely be too long, so add some washers. You want to make sure that the bolt can tighten without bottoming out in the hole. I mount cameras to V-Slot all the time. It works great. -D
The cross joining plates are 4mm thick. I really didn't have any issues with it and I had a fairly substantial load on it. As for the QR plates, I used the round one and pulled the center screw from the upper part. I then fed a short M5 screw upwards through the hole created and into a T-nut riding in the V-slot channel. With the cork on the top of the plate, proper tightening of the M5 screw was all that was necessary to keep the piece from rotating (and thus from unscrewing). I would offer photos of what I'm referring to but unfortunately I just moved and can't find anything at the moment.
