Vanguard Nivelo Tripod Leg Hinge

thingiverse

Vanguard's tripods are notorious for their fragile hinges. They shatter into pieces at the slightest provocation, rendering them virtually useless. I'm currently using the Nivelo 214BK and have created a hinge design based on its specifications. The resulting model should be applicable to all Vanguard tripod models. The design was crafted in 3ds Max, with a focus on replicating the original hinge's appearance as closely as possible while incorporating some minor deviations. The fitting process is slightly more demanding than usual due to the hinges being slightly too tight. To resolve this issue, I align the screw hole beforehand and then carefully tap it into place using a mallet. Once securely in position, the original screw can be used to fasten the hinge firmly in place. Unfortunately, my first printed hinge broke, followed by a second one today. This has left me with two 3D printed hinges, and I'm eagerly awaiting the inevitable failure of the third one. -= Changelog =- 27/10/19 - The transition between the hinge's parts was smoothed out to minimize stress points. Additionally, the interior was modified for increased rigidity. For optimal results, it is highly recommended to print the hinge at high temperatures (I use 205°C). This will yield a stronger product, and printing with 4-layer walls and 4 top and bottom layers is also advised. Infill can be set to 50%. The design was sliced using Prusa Slicer with supports positioned on the bed only.