Nikon D500 Full Cage

Required for cage:
4 x M3 screws
1 x ¼” Screw(for camera)

Required for rig accessories:
¼” UNC nuts (up to 9)

Required for the handle:
4 x M6 nuts
2 x M6 15 mm threaded rod
-OR-
2 x M6 nuts
2 x M6 10 mm bolts

Other:
Thin sheet rubber for the base (camera grip)

PRINTING:
PTEG or ABS recommended for strength but I used PLA and it’s fine.
Layer height: 0.15 mm
Infill: 15%
Supports needed for the base under the middle and on the base and top to support the end pegs for best results.

ORIENTATION:
Base: print with the shallow recess up.
Top: print with the cold shoe plates up.
Sides: print with the strengthening brackets up.
Handle: print with the knurled tube pointing up.
Hot shoe lock: print with the wide flat end down.

POST PRINTING:
Base and top: you may need to sand the undersides of the tabs for a smooth fit into the side pieces.
Handle: ream out the holes if the bridging isn’t smooth enough.
Top: you may need to sand the inside walls of the hot shoe lock opening .
ASSEMBLY:
See illustration. I used 3 mm x 20mm screws from a scrap box to attach the sides. 3M bolts should work fine as might plain 3 mm steel bars as long as the sides are epoxied to the base and top pieces.
Don’t glue the hot shoe lock in place – it’s intended that the camera is slid into this first then adjusted down until the camera base can be secured with a ¼” UNC screw from below.
Cut some thin rubber sheet and superglue it to the shallow recess on the base piece to avoid camera spin. I used pieces of bicycle inner tubing.
NOTES:
remember that this cage is plastic and won’t take the level of abuse of a metal cage.
Don’t expect the cold shoes to support too much weight (I’ve used the cage with a Rode mic and 5 ½” monitor (and battery) and it’s been fine).
I accept no responsibility for damage to equipment or person – you use this cage at your own risk.

Any comments are welcome.
Regards, Paul