Even if you are not interested in building an M2 tripod, I hope this will be a useful resource for anyone interested in the nuts and bolts of the M2.
    This is my first build site for a project I have not constructed myself. My primary goal will be to provide as much information on the construction of the U.S. G.I. M2 tripod as I can. I have disassembled my 1943 Evans M2 in order to get measurements and take photos.
   In addition, I am including the exploded views & parts lists from the 1919 manual. I will also offer any suggestions or observations that come to mind. I believe a detailed tutorial would be of little use, as the building of an M2 is a fairly complicated project, and anyone with the skills needed to build one would likely need little more than photos and dimensions. If you have suggestions, questions, or photos of an M2 you have built, please E-mail me.

   As to the traversing & elevation mechanism (T&E), construction of an original design would be far more work than the tripod itself and require an experienced machinist. I will include photos and an exploded view with parts list of the T&E, but will not attempt to provide measurements for all the parts (these drawings are on Orin's CD, mentioned above). I built a small elevation device for my pedestal mount, which can be seen on that site. Even though it is not designed for the M2, it might give you an idea or two.
    I recommend looking at the fine work done by previous visitors to this site by clicking on the Homemade M2s link at the bottom of this page. You will find tips there about the construction of the M2 from folks who have built them, as well as photos of their amazing work. \

   Special thanks to the many folks who have taken the time to E-mail me about errors or vagaries in my drawings. You undoubtedly spared some who have come after you from wrestling with the same issues.

Tripod component photos