Microphone stand adaptors

[Arpangel]

I don’t know what it is, but I never seem to have them one I want! even though I’ve got more than a few.
What I need is like one of those B&Q bumper screwdriver sets that has everything, but a stand adapter version! Is there such a thing? if not, we need one.

[shufflebeat]

Keep a carabiner on your keyring and every time you see one, pop it on your keys.

[Arpangel]

Keep a carabiner on your keyring and every time you see one, pop it on your keys.

Not a bad idea, but it could get a bit bulky!

[Hugh Robjohns]

This covers most bases in a convenient format:

RØDE Thread Adaptor Universal Adaptor Kit with 1/4, 3/8 and 5/8-inch Adaptors

RØDE Thread Adaptor Universal Adaptor K ... /d/5h0yxTo

[Aled Hughes]

This covers most bases in a convenient format:

RØDE Thread Adaptor Universal Adaptor Kit with 1/4, 3/8 and 5/8-inch Adaptors

RØDE Thread Adaptor Universal Adaptor K ... /d/5h0yxTo

Ooh, thanks Hugh, I'm getting one!

[shufflebeat]

If you can find the low profile “polo mint” shaped adaptors you can fit four on your keyring without significant inconvenience.

The Rode one looks great but is £20, I got a little 4” steel cable jobby with screw threads on either end at some give-away or other (grabbed half a dozen ‘cos I knew I’d find a use for all of them). I’ve gathered polo mints over time and am always sufficiently stocked.

Also good for actual polo mints, apart from the hygiene element.

I hoped to link to a pic of the low-profile adaptors but t’internet is strangely unwilling to provide. I shall guard my existing stash with ever more Gollum-like care in the future.

[ef37a]

I notice from that picture that the adapters all have just one slot cut in them.
Always been that way and is a PITA as anyone knows if they get screwed in 'slot first'.

Then, a year or so ago I noticed that the adaptor which came with a dirt cheap dynamic has the slots cut BOTH ENDS! Genius! Why were they not like this 50 years ago from the start?

N.B. If anyone can see a downside to this, do tell? I am blowed if I can!

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

The downside is an additional machining operation, and thus cost, I guess.... but yes, slots at both ends are a good idea, especially for the amateur user. I'd hope a professional would know about fitting an adapter the right way!

[ef37a]

The downside is an additional machining operation, and thus cost, I guess.... but yes, slots at both ends are a good idea, especially for the amateur user. I'd hope a professional would know about fitting an adapter the right way!

Cor blimey doc! The CNC arm would do a 180 flip in Msecs and one pass off the milling head and Robert's yer whatsit.

Dave.

[Drew Stephenson]

Then, a year or so ago I noticed that the adaptor which came with a dirt cheap dynamic has the slots cut BOTH ENDS! Genius! Why were they not like this 50 years ago from the start?

I cherish the double slotted ones and have been known to hacksaw a slot in others.

[Arpangel]

Thanks's Hugh, that looks like it'll do the job.

[Hugh Robjohns]

The Rode kit is nicely done and won't get lost...although it might get stolen as it is so desirable! But it is pricey at around £20.

If you do a search on Amazon for 'Microphone Thread Adapter Set' you find dozens of options for half that much or less.

And for Dave, here is pair of internal brass 5/8 to 3/8 adapters with slots at both ends.

https://amzn.eu/d/hKo1Zut

[ef37a]

The Rode kit is nicely done and won't get lost...although it might get stolen as it is so desirable! But it is pricey at around £20.

If you do a search on Amazon for 'Microphone Thread Adapter Set' you find dozens of options for half that much or less.

And for Dave, here is pair of internal brass 5/8 to 3/8 adapters with slots at both ends.

https://amzn.eu/d/hKo1Zut

I am obliged Hugh. Clearly of Chinese origin, give away is the brass finish. All mine up until a year or so ago have been Nickel plated but brass is OK, will develop a "patina" The other give away is the phrase "made of high quality mental" !!

Dave.

[Arpangel]

Why is it that whatever thread I want on the stand it's always the wrong one!
Also, they are always getting stuck in, and two slots are invaluable for sorting this out.
I have a few older stands with 5/8th threads, these are a bit of a pain.

[The Elf]

Why is it that whatever thread I want on the stand it's always the wrong one!
Also, they are always getting stuck in...

Smear a TINY amount of silicone grease on every thread. You'll find they stick far less often. This is also a good tip for screw in camera filters.

[Arpangel]

Why is it that whatever thread I want on the stand it's always the wrong one!
Also, they are always getting stuck in...

Smear a TINY amount of silicone grease on every thread. You'll find they stick far less often. This is also a good tip for screw in camera filters.

Thank's Elf, I've got some in the garage.
Got a nasty blood blister the other day after sandwiching the skin on my hand between a mic stand collar, I'm not going say what colour the air was.
As I'm getting older I’m becoming more and more cack-handed.

[ef37a]

I would not use silicone grease. The stuff is an excellent lubricant for just about anything EXCEPT metal to metal contact. I once cleaned and degreased an air rifle and lubed it with a top quality silicone grease. After 5 shots the things seized solid! Then I read up about the metal to metal thing.

Vaseline, Lithium car grease even soap will be fine.

Re the variations Tony? There seems to be four in general use, two big and two small. These are I assume legacy metric and American threads although some might be Whitworth, BSF? Been a loooong time since I did "Metalwork"!

About a year ago I got fed up with having to tighten mic clips all the time and resolved to do something about it. I drilled through a holder and tapped it out M3 then fitted an M 3 grub screw. Then I could apply just a modest force to the clip then lock it in place with an Allen key...then "The Poorliness" struck again and I did no more. Been much better lately, might get into it again.

Dave.

[ajay_m]

I still have a can of Maplin PTFE spray, a wonder product that puts an incredibly thin PTFE film on stuff, doesn't stink the place out like WD40 and is brilliant for stuff like locks etc, and probably screw threads as well....

[ef37a]

I still have a can of Maplin PTFE spray, a wonder product that puts an incredibly thin PTFE film on stuff, doesn't stink the place out like WD40 and is brilliant for stuff like locks etc, and probably screw threads as well....

Yes, should be fine, I have used PTFE variants on my rifles. There is however a bit of a paradox here? From my last post I complained that mic clips need to be *****g tight on the stand lest they 'twirl' on you. Thus the adaptors get very tight. If you lubricate them you might find it impossible to stop the 'twirl'?

Maybe we should really look upon the clips as a "one use" item? Once fitted to a stand they are fixed, Loctite? Epoxy? They are not ruinously expensive?

I would bet the really big, really rich touring bands view mic stands and holders as disposable items? Probably most of the mics as well!

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I use GT85 spray to stop metal things sticking. It's great for door and window locks and hinges too.

The 'twirl' problem can be avoided if you rig stands and mics in such a way that gravity acts to tighten the thread....

Regarding mic stand (and associated gear) threads. There are five reasonably common ones to cater for.

Camera gear and small grips use 1/4-inch 20 tpi UNC thread

Euro mic stand 3/8-inch 16 tpi Whitworth (BSW) thread

Some large K&M tripod stands use 1/2-inch 12 tpi Whitworth (BSW) thread

US mic stand 5/8-inch 27 tpi UN thread

...and Manfrotto (and other lighting equipment manufacturers) use 16mm spigots and sockets.

The chamfer angles on the thread grooves differs between the different thread types, and cobsequently it's not unusual to find some adapters jam because although they have the correct diameter and thread count per inch, the manufacturer used the wrong type of tap/die and the tread angles are wrong!

It makes life a lot easier if you standardise all your mic clips and stands to one particular thread, to avoid the need to swap them all the time.

The euro 3/8-inch format is much more robust than the US 5/8-inch thread which is prone to cross-threading. So the couple of US-style stands I have are fitted with permanent 3/8-inch adapters secured with threadlock (Dave's grub screws are good if you have the skills).

[Arpangel]

It makes life a lot easier if you standardise all your mic clips and stands to one particular thread, to avoid the need to swap them all the time.

This definitely the way to go.

[Drew Stephenson]

I use Campagnolo bicycle grease cause I'm dead posh innit.

(Or because I needed some for one job years ago and I still have most of the tube left. )

[ef37a]

Knew you'd know Hugh! Thanks for all that.

If you have a stuck adaptor and don't want to take a hacksaw to it, if you can find a bolt and nut with the right thread you can use the old trick of locking the nut to the adaptor then turn it out. Or you might have a friendly garage mech' (must be some?) who has a suitable stud extractor?
But as I said, hardly worth a lot of trouble for something costing a pint or three?

"Gravity" Hugh? Rarely my friend and gets less so as dodderyness increases. I am looking at my late wife's walking stick...I don't think it will be long!

Dave.

[The Elf]

I would not use silicone grease. The stuff is an excellent lubricant for just about anything EXCEPT metal to metal contact.

It's the first time anyone has told me that. I've put silicone grease on EVERYTHING and never once had a problem. I'm a DIY numpty, so I have no knowledge beyond what I was once told by someone I trusted, but I've never had a problem.

[shufflebeat]

The 'twirl' problem can be avoided if you rig stands and mics in such a way that gravity acts to tighten the thread....

I’m a fussy bastard and I endorse this message.

To elaborate:

A mic stand in front of a guitar amp with a horizontal boom coming from the right (from FoH perspective)? - mic pulls clip anti-clockwise resulting in an embarrassing droop at a critical time.

A mic stand in front of a guitar amp with a horizontal boom coming from the left (from FoH perspective)? - mic pulls clip clockwise resulting in a happy life.