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Scion TC: On-Board Video Camera for Autocross Racer A Scion SC gets outfitted for some cinema verite at the autocross track — with a driver's point-of-view digital video camera mounted to the headrest. From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-411

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Part 2: Weld Camera Head to Mount; Paint Mount; Install Mount in Car

Now that Andrew has gathered all the pieces for the camera head, it's time to weld them to the camera mount. The parts could be bolted on, but in this case Andrew decides to go the welding route. Once the welding is complete, he'll paint the camera mount, and then install it in the car.

Materials and tools used in this phase of the project:

standard shop tools
nuts and bolts, including eyebolt
110-volt MIG welder with tank of shielding gas
welder's suit with gloves and helmet
large gate hinge
pneumatic cutoff saw, if needed
small spring
grinder
mineral spirits and clean rags
jack stands
binder clips
spray paint and primer
tie-down strap
hook-and-loop tape

Safety Alert: Safety is the number one priority when it comes to welding. Make sure your work area is clean and dry. Rid the area of anything flammable, such as chemical solvents or paints. Ventilation is also important. Open up windows and/or doors, and use an exhaust fan.

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	Assembling the camera mount
	Attaching the camera to the mount

Weld Camera Head to Mount

• Before welding on the hinge, use a couple of nuts to hold the bolts in place.

• Get into your welder's suit, and put on gloves and helmet.

• Turn on the gas. Set the amperage and wire speed on the welder to the recommended settings for mild steel.

• Hook the grounding clamp onto the hinge as close as possible to where you want to weld.

• Turn on the welder, and tack the bolts in place.

• During the project, the strut won't fit over the bolt in the hinge, so Andrew uses a pneumatic cutoff saw to cut a piece out of the strut to make some room.

• Set the piece in place, and tack the strut to the hinge in a couple of places.

• If everything looks correct, continue welding. Hold the welding torch at about a 35-degree angle, and adjust the wire feed speed as needed until you hear a sizzling sound.

• The camera head is beginning to take shape. Next, you'll want to make it so you can adjust the tilt of the camera and then have the option of locking it into that position. To do this, use an eyebolt. Install it from underneath and behind the hinge, so you can get the angle that you want. To hold the tension, add a spring from the end of the hinge back to the strut.

• Begin by putting a 3/8" nut and eye bolt into the slot below the end of the hinge. Weld the nut to the strut.

• Next, some holes need to be added to attach the spring tensioner. Punch a dimple in the strut before drilling a 1/8" hole. Repeat the process on the tip of the hinge.

• The spring will work better if the mounting points are parallel to each other. Lock the end of the hinge piece into a vise and bend it over about 30 degrees. Hook the spring into the 1/8"-holes on either end.

• Now, when you turn the eyebolt the spring will expand and allow you to change the up and down angle of the camera shot.

• To finish up, bolt the strut onto the camera head. Use a wing-nut stopper to keep the camera-mounting bolt from going too deep.

Paint Camera Mount

• Now that the mount has been constructed, you'll want to clean it up and paint it before attaching it in your car.

• Use a grinder to remove any sharp spots.

• Use mineral spirits to thoroughly clean the mount and the strut.

• Lay a bar across two jack stands to support the parts while they're painted. Use the chrome pieces from a couple of medium-sized binder clips to quickly attach the parts to the bar.

• Spray a coat of primer on both pieces, followed by a couple of coats of flat black.

• Allow the paint to dry fully.

Install Mount in Car

• After the paint dries, bolt the strut back onto the hinge, reattach the spring to both sides and remount the camera.

• Now it's time to get it in the car. Slide the support arm onto the strut fittings, and adjust the headrest to the correct level. Tighten everything down.

• Run a tie-down strap from the headrest to the child seat anchors in the back seat so the mount will hold steady at the track.

• Use some industrial hook-and-loop tape to secure the camera's remote control in the center console. When you're ready to race, simply hit the ‘record' button on the remote.

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