GoPro Diving Tray

🛠 Compatibility

• Designed for a GoPro Hero 10 Black in an underwater protective housing
• Should work fine with other GoPro models due to the adjustability of the trigger
• 1/4"-20 threaded ball mounts for lighting can mount to the top of the handles. I used these from Amazon, along with Minifocus ball clamps and an Aplos AP70 light.
  • The rest of the fasteners used are metric - I used imperial for the handle inserts since that seems to be the majority of ball mount threads

🔩 Parts List

*** Only use stainless steel parts nuts and screws! I used 18-8 but 316 would probably be best 

*** SHCS = Socket head cap screw, SS = stainless steel

*** Don't have to order from McMaster, I mainly just wanted to provide an option and something to compare to

*** I donated a spring from a pen, but I would suggest getting a proper stainless steel spring such as the one listed to avoid rust. Modify the spring holes based on what you have available though.

🖨 Printing Tips

• Material: 
  • PETG for longevity in harsh conditions
  • Has survived 20+ dives in cold saltwater and boops from seals, with no issues yet
• Infill: 
  • 4-6 walls, 100% infill
  • Going with lower infill may give some positive buoyancy - tweak to your needs

A number of layer pauses will be needed to embed nuts in the prints, here's a breakdown of what to do:

• Handles:
  • Two layer pauses needed per handle
  • Insert two 1/4'"-20 hex nuts and two M4 x 0.7 mm hex nuts in the necessary slots
  • The nuts should be a snug press-fit into the hex cutouts
  • Adjust your slicer to print infill before walls at these layers for best print quality and reducing chance of failure after the pause
• Tripod Adapter
  • Needs one layer pause to insert one 1/4"-20 hex nut.
• Trigger Plate
  • Needs one layer pause to insert two M4 x 0.7 hex nuts.

🧩 Assembly Procedure 

1. Fasten one handle to each side of the base plate with a ¼-20 x ¾" SHCS.
2. Fasten the tripod adapter to the base plate with a ¼-20 x ¾" SHCS.
3. Mount the top plate to the top of the handles using four M4 x 0.7 mm x 20 mm SHCS. Use washers!
4. Connect the trigger and trigger plate using an M4 x 0.7 mm x 18 mm SHCS and an M4 Nylock hex nut.
5. Insert the spring between the trigger and trigger plate
6. Mount the assembled trigger to the top plate using two M4 x 0.7 mm x 18 mm SHCS. Use washers here as well!
7. Mount your GoPro or action camera to the tripod adapter using an M5 x 0.8 x 25 mm SHCS and an M5 Nylock hex nut.
8. Thread an M6 x 1.0 hex nut over the M6 x 1.0 x 50 mm SHCS.
9. Insert the M6 fastener into the slot on the trigger with an M6 Nylock hex nut on the other side.
10. Dial in the depth and height of the M6 SHCS to ensure it will press the button on your camera, and lock it in place using the regular hex nut.
11. Mount the lighting of your choice using the available 1/4"-20 hex nuts on the top of the handles.
12. Attach a wrist strap to the free hole on the base plate.
13. Voila

📂 Files

• STL and STEP files are included
• The Onshape document is public if you want to tweak it
  • Should be easy to adjust things like the handle pattern or spring holes

🤿 Final Words

Please share your experience printing, building, and using this dive tray. I'm very open to feedback to improve this design and the clarity of the instructions. If you want to share your underwater photos and videos using it as well, that would be awesome!

💡 Updates

*** Comment your ideas or remix the design using the STEP files/Onshape document