Tripod Rubber Boot

[515bonner]

My iOptron CEM40, has seen a lot use. The rubber "boot" that is on the end of the tripod legs isn't much to write home about. Soft rubber.
One of mine came off earlier in the year (split), and today another one decided to split and remove itself from the leg, and now the bare metal is showing.
I thought these were threaded but apparently not, so fitting it with a swivel pad is out (stud is .350" which is oddball anyway - to big for 5/16NC and too small for 3/8NC ).
Do you guys do anything different or do you just let it go?? Any suggestions?

Rob

[515bonner]

Here is a pick of the end of the tripod leg with the rubber tip gone....

[pakarinen]

Rubber tips for walking canes or photo tripods?

[515bonner]

Rubber tips for walking canes or photo tripods?

Yeah, I checked on those at both McMaster-Carr and Carr Lane. Most of them start with a 1/2" - 3/4" diameter and go up.
I would need something smaller.
I think what I will do is see what we have available in the way of delrin or acetyl plastic at where I work part time, and machine something up that will have a press fit onto the tip.
Would be something around .350" ID x .625" OD x 3/4" long.

[515bonner]

Thought I would do a little followup on the rubber tip problem.
I used some nylon (actually UHMW) and machined 3 tips to replace the old worn out rubber tips.
I made them larger. The old ones were about 9/16" in diameter and about around 5/8" long.
The new ones I made 3/4" in diameter and 1" long. Here is a comparison showing the new vs. the old

I made the inside diameter to have a press fit. They tapped on nicely and doubt they will fall off.
If because of temperature changes they do, I will just epoxy them back on. These should last forever!
Here was the final result.

[Lady Fraktor]

That looks good.