Magic Wing - The Easy Camera Crane

We're excited to share a well-tested, safe, and universal overhead camera jib that you can make for under $20 and attach to any tripod! It uses a single piece of common 20mm (2020) T-Slot aluminum extrusion.

Magic Wing is perfect for obstruction-free top-down videos of your workbench projects, impossible/invisible camera placements, and much much more! It folds up with your tripod and takes up minimal space too! Ideal for smartphone rigs, but it can also carry a whole DSLR without issue!

Here is some example footage shot with the Magic Wing:

TIP: Use the extreme high and low perspectives it unlocks to convey emotion in your visual stories (Thanks Jón!). Or use the included Cheese Plate wing to mount lighting and other accessories just out of frame. 

Magic Wing is compatible with Arca-Swiss tripod shoe mounts (~38 mm (1.5 in) wide dovetail). Simply clamp it into your favorite ball head tripod, balance, and start recording! STEP files and a 1/4-20 mount version are also included. 

What other creative NEW shots could you unlock?

Works great for small desktop streaming setups too! No counterweight required! Below is a 32cm long 2020 extrusion mounted to a smaller tripod/head, and to a desktop monitor stand. Both using the 1/4-20 mount wing. 

Parts n' Vitamins:

The remote ball head pictured is a SILK-100DQ mounted with a 1/4-20 x 3/8" pan head bolt.
The central ball head is a larger generic ball head with an Arca-compatible quick-release.
The "Magic Wing Screw Mount.stl" will require one 1/4-20 hex nut. 

Print parts in the orientation provided in the STLs. 

• Part: Magic Wing Arca-Swiss.stl OR Magic Wing Screw Mount.stl

• Support material: Only required for the Arca-Swiss version.

• Starter preset: 0.2mm STRUCTURAL

• Infill: 30%

• Perimeters: 5

Only required if using a filament spool as a counterweight:

• Part: Filament Counterweight Mount.stl 

• Quantity: 2

• Settings: same as above

Assemble:

1. (optional) (Arca-compatible shoe only) Install the two M3 x 8 socket cap bolts into the holes in the Arca-compatible tripod shoe.
   

   

2. Insert the M5 x 35 mm bolt into the hole in the side of the printed mount. Install a matching end-feed T-nut onto the bolt.
   

   

3. Push the printed assembly fully onto the end of the 2020 extrusion. The fit will be tight.
   

   

4. (Optional) Install two additional end-feed T-nuts into the 2020 extrusion, one on each side of the printed assembly. Install one M5 x 8 mm bolt into each T-nut. These parts act as end stops.
    

5. Install the 1 kg (or equivalent) counterweight onto one end of the 2020 extrusion

   1. (Optional) For the filament spool counterweight:

      1. Print two copies of "Filament_Counterweight_Mount.stl".

      2. Put two M5 x 10 mm bolts into the holes of each printed part.

      3. Install one T-nut on each bolt. Do not tighten the T-nuts.

      4. Put a full filament spool between the two printed parts.

      5. Slide the printed parts onto the end of the 2020 extrusion. Make sure that the bolt heads point toward the tripod head according to the figure below.

      6. Tighten the bolts to secure the printed parts.
         

1. Install the remote tripod head onto the extrusion. The SILK-100DQ is shown. You can optionally install whatever you want onto the cheese plate instead.
   

1. Mount your new Magic Wing to your favorite tripod OR free-standing monopod head. 
   

Now you too can film overhead tabletop content like the pros you know and love without anything getting in your way!

Specs and FAQ:

• Weight capacity: Tested >1kg. Limited by central tripod head and chosen counterweight.

• Intended use: Smartphone video/photography, streaming.

• Length: Variable. 1.2 meter (4ft) nominal. 

UPDATES:

12 Aug 2026: Added new options; a wide mount for 2040 extrusion (for heavier rigs), and a Universal Cheese Plate with a standardized threaded hole and slot layout! The threads are optimized and tested for 3D printing!

Wings are big, lightweight, and useful for more than just flight!