Not putting up shelves....

My previous projector could be mounted on a tripod, giving me full control over movement (i'm not using it for a home cinema). My new projector doesn't have the right fitting, and I can't find anything for sale that will adapt it. So I'm think I may have to make my own platform or adapt a universal mount to do the job.

Long story short, I need to make a thing that a tripod can screw into, and I can screw other things into that thing. Apparently the screw for a tripod is 1/4"-20. I need to get something to mate with this, am I going to have to get some special drill? Or is it possible to make the right thing out of stock parts?

I have a Jumbo and a Conrad nearby from which I should be able to get most stuff from. If I knew what I was actually looking for it would be a big help. Unfortunately I have no idea about the DIY speak for the appropriate bits and bobs in English, let alone German.