A homemade housing can protect a camcorder from basic underwater use.
Most camcorders are sensitive to moisture and are not designed to be waterproof. To shoot video while surfing, diving and boating, commercial waterproof housings are available. However, these commercial options can be expensive. Using basic materials, a basic underwater camcorder housing can be made at home. While the design will not protect the camcorder from crushing pressures found while scuba diving, it will shield the electronics from water and can be used for casual recreation.
Instructions
1. Estimate the amount of clear urethane plastic material needed to completely contain the camcorder. Fold a sheet of urethane in half, with enough space for the camcorder to be held between the two sides of the folded sheet.
2. Iron the urethane plastic sheet along its long edge. Use aluminum foil to protect the iron. Melt the plastic so that the long edge is sealed and waterproof. The result is an elongated clear plastic tube-shaped bag with both ends open.
3. Cut a piece of sturdy polypropylene plastic into a paddle shape, with a wide area at the top and a narrow handle at the bottom. The plastic should be approximately 1/2 inch thick.
4. Heat the area of the plastic piece where the bottom handle meets the wide area at the top. Bend the plastic handle at a ninety degree angle, and allow the heated plastic to cool and harden.
5. Trace a large circle onto the wide area of the plastic. Use a saw to cut the circular design, and sand the edges until they are smooth. The result is a large round area with a handle attached at a ninety-degree angle.
6. Drill a large hole in the center of the rounded area, large enough to accommodate the lens of the camcorder.
7. Duplicate the rounded portion of the plastic by tracing its inside and outside. Cut a new plastic piece to match the outside dimensions, and drill a duplicate inside hole. The result is a plastic gasket that matches the rounded piece.
8. Cut a round piece to glass or clear Lexan plastic to match the two existing round pieces. Use waterproof epoxy to secure this newly created lens to the plastic component with the handle.
9. Epoxy one side of the transparent bag to the edges of the glass lens. Insert the matching plastic gasket inside the bag, and epoxy it in place. The plastic bag will be firmly held between the clear glass on one side, and the gasket on the other.
10. Drill a small hole in the handle portion of the plastic assembly. Insert a screw that matches the tripod mount threading on the bottom of the camcorder.
11. Place the camcorder inside the waterproof bag, facing the glass lens. Secure the camcorder to the handle using the tripod mount screw. Fold the open end of the bag on top of itself and secure the opening with a heavy-duty rubber band.
Tags: wide area, area plastic, basic underwater, camcorder from, glass lens, held between, long edge