Arca Swiss Rail Mod for Vega 4x5

When I was printing the Vega 4x5, I wanted to use an Arca Swiss-style rail instead of the default square one. The Arca clamps I wanted to use have ¼-20 screw holes, so I modified the forks and bottom knobs to fit. The top slots of the forks are still sized correctly for the default 6mm bolts.

Print Settings

• Material: PLA or PETG
• Perimeters: 3
• Infill: 30%
• Infill pattern: cubic

What to Print

• 2x Bottom Fork Knob
• 2x Rail Clamp Spacer
• 1x Front Fork
• 1x Rear Fork

Hardware

• 2x ¼-20 x 1-¼" hex head bolts
• 2x Arca-style clamps
• 1x 240mm or 400mm Arca Swiss-Style Double-Sided Rail (depending on the focal length of lens you'll be using).
• Double-Stick Tape

Assembly

• Remove the short screws that come with the Arca-style clamps, but keep the 3/8" to ¼" adapters installed in the clamps.
• Use double-stick tape to adhere the spacers to the bottom of both clamps, being sure to not interfere with the movement of the clamps.
• Insert the hex head bolts into the nuts. It might take some pressure to fit the heads in.
• Insert the bolts through the forks and spacers, screwing them into the clamps.
• Attach the clamps to one side of the rail.
• Assemble the rest of the Vega 4x5 and mount it to the forks.
• You can then use the dovetails on the bottom of the rail to mount the whole camera on a tripod that has an arca-compatible quick release system.

I enlarged the slots in the forks and the hole in the knob to accommodate a ¼-20 bolt instead of the default 6mm bolt.