Shock mounts are expensive. Here's my very cheap solution. I saw a few other
DIY versions out there, but they just looked too rickety and unprofessional for
my tastes. ABS plastic couplers can be found in Lowe's Hardware or similar
joint.
Step 1. Get a 3" ABS plastic pipe fitting like this one (about $5). It has a
1.5" goose neck off the top, but that will be cut off. This fitting is best
because it is longer and beefier than the standard 3" slip coupling.
Step 2. You're going to need a hack saw, coping saw, drill with an
approximately .25" bit to pull this part off. The end rings will end up being
about 3/4" thick and the base will be about 2" wide.
Use a hack saw to cut down into the ends of the coupler about 3/4" from each
end. You will cut down until you have about 2" left for a base (across the
bottom). Be careful because it's easy to let the saw drift off to one side so
take your time. Once itt looks like you have about 2" left for a base width,
drill a few small holes, large enough to get a coping saw blade through, in the
corners so you can make the perpendicular cuts.
Roughly, this is what you'll have. You can sand the edges smooth later.
Step 3. Now you want to make the notches that will hold the rubber bands.
I made them with two small notches about a half inch apart. As you can see
here, you will make four notches for each rubber band about 3/16" into the
inside of each ring for the rubber bands to grip.
Here I've completed 8 notches on one ring that will hold one end of the
shotgun microphone. Repeat this for the other side. Note that you will have to
approximate the notche s so that they line up the rubber bands in a nice even
criss cross. I used a hack saw to cut the notches and then wiggled a sharp
exacto knife to cut them out.
