Using a new Jib/Crane

[sagemaster]

I don't know if I'm posting in the right place, but I am curious to know if there are any tricks to using a crane? I've just finished my 12 footer, and mounted my camera and counter wieghts, hooked up my monitor and have tried to start using it. However I find that gliding to a nice even stop is proving elusive. I tend to get some kick-back after stopping, some swing back. (It's not due to a lose or bouncy beam either, the beam is itself is solid and reinforced). Is there a trick to this?

Also, I have counterbalanced the crane, but if I push down on the back (sending the camera end up), and let it go, it will glide to a vertical stop quite smoothly, but once it stops it settles back down a bit. I get a similar thing happening when I do that by hand too, simply via hand shake I guess. Anybody got any tricks for getting a nice smooth, even stop?

[mindzeye]

try guiding it from the beam, right infront of the balance point rather than the far back where the counter weights are. you'll have the best control there but you'll eventually lose some height.

[sagemaster]

Thanks, I'll give that a try!

[Erik Olson]

You could be as little as a few ounces off on your counterweight. Do you have a trim weight on there? Usually, this is a sandbag between the fulcrum and the main counterweight area at the back of the jib. This sandbag can be moved forward or back to set your fine trim.

Dress your cables using Velcro ties to keep the weight from shifting as well. Any little bit can cause the up and down drift you're referring to.

e

[sagemaster]

No I don't have a trim wieght/sandbag thing like you're talking about. I hadn't even heard of that before, but it makes perfect sense. You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of one and how it's used would you? Or links to pictures? Just so I have an idea of how they look and work. Thanks so much for the help guys!

[Kdawg]

Check out this guy's crane. Click Here (http://homebuiltstabilizers.com/MembersRigs/Jibsncranes/jasonhunspergersjib/index.htm). He has an adjustable weight for fine tuning.

[sagemaster]

That's great! Thanks for that. How do you do that sort of thing with a single beam jib? His is double beamed, and the bolt securing the weight fits between the beams to keep it in place. But what if the jib is a single beam?