My $15 diy stabilizer

[DM_rider]

While at home depot the other day I was looking around and I came across a shelf holder that was $5 so I bought it to see what I could make out of it. Then I picked up a piece of aluminum for $10 and this is what I came up with. I painted it with that textured spray paint.

It works really well, I was surprised, I was expecting the whole project to be a complete failure. The camera is almost perfectly balanced, the front end is a little heavy but nothing super noticeable. All the holes in the shelf holder were already drilled so all I had to do was drill and cut the aluminum. I'm very pleased for this being a quick diy spur of the moment thing. Just so happens that it all fits together and works nicely. I'd be interested to see if this works well with any other cameras.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/GuitarMaster/DSC_7640.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/GuitarMaster/DSC_7641.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/GuitarMaster/DSC_7642.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/GuitarMaster/DSC_7643.jpg

Here's the dolly I made. I have some aluminum track that I'm going to use so the PVC is temporary. I still need to put a 2x4 in the middle so I can put some weights on it and I need to get something to hold the tripod feet to the dolly.

Here are some quick shots with the dolly. The footage isn't that great, I need to get thicker PVC and mount it to 2x4's
http://files.filefront.com/dollytestmov/;7970434;;/fileinfo.html

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/GuitarMaster/DSC_7652.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/GuitarMaster/DSC_7648.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/GuitarMaster/DSC_7644.jpg

[zcream]

Look nice and simple - any idea of the brand / name of the shelf holder.. Wonder if I can get a hold of it at Ikea..

[Jeff Anderson]

thats my favorite position for my multirig - so easy to just guide it around... anyways - fantastic use of $15. Thought this was going to be another stick with some weight on the end of it...

[stinkpot]

Very nice. Where'd ya grab that cushioning tape stuff?

[DM_rider]

Very nice. Where'd ya grab that cushioning tape stuff?

It's just tennis racket wrap. You can get it at pretty much any sports store. I'm sure Target or any store like that has it also.

[zcream]

And the shelf holder ? Checked out Home Depots web site.. Didnt find anything :-) Driving me nuts..I want one too

[DM_rider]

And the shelf holder ? Checked out Home Depots web site.. Didnt find anything :-) Driving me nuts..I want one too

I just stumbled upon it, I was looking around and there it was! I think I found it around the garage shelving stuff. There were bins full of them.

[ifownlee41nite@mac.com]

Home Depot definitely. I come across those all the time. I practically live there.

Take a trip. You'll definitely find it. I can't remember the exact area to look but if I make it pass HomeDepot today I will follow up.

[zcream]

:-( I live far far way in the land of Oz. Am in Sydney, mate. Normally I troll here looking at all the goodies you get and try hunt for something similar at Bunnings - everything is more expensive or not available (if its manufactured)

[ryan brown]

Yup... that looks great. And cheap, which makes it even better.

I'm wondering how this would hold up with my dvx. sgpro, mattebox combo (which is pretty heavy).

Also, have you thought (or is it possibly) to add another mount underneath the metal bar that's holding the camera, and maybe a nut to add a tripod release plate. That way you wouldn't have to take the contraption apart in order to put it on a tripod.

Might be something to look into (or maybe I'll do it myself)...

-brown

[DM_rider]

Also, have you thought (or is it possibly) to add another mount underneath the metal bar that's holding the camera, and maybe a nut to add a tripod release plate. That way you wouldn't have to take the contraption apart in order to put it on a tripod.

I tried, but it wont work the way I have it setup. The only way i could do it is if I put another piece of aluminum on the bottom.

[wicket]

Is that 2nd LCD a spare part? Can you do the same thing with a HVX?

[DM_rider]

Is that 2nd LCD a spare part? Can you do the same thing with a HVX?

I don't know what you mean by 2nd LCD? That's where the LCD is on the Fx1, up on the handle, and I have a shade for it.

[wicket]

Doh! Well that's a much better place for it than on the HVX.

[for_mlove]

Nice work! I think I may have to take a shot at making one of these for myself.

[DM_rider]

I figured out a way to get a quick release plate underneath it, I'll post pics later.

[bansheeproductions]

thats a dope setup.

Works like a figrig right?
I've been looking to make one of thse
for a while, just never thought about how
to do it or what to use

[Durrty Boi]

im really interested that dolly and track, is that diy aswell?

[DM_rider]

im really interested that dolly and track, is that diy aswell?

yup, just made a frame with 2x4's, got some skateboard wheels and some v brackets. I kind of pieced it together in home depot. I just have to get some 1 1/2" thick PVC.

[ryan brown]

I figured out a way to get a quick release plate underneath it, I'll post pics later.

Now you're talkin. Please post pics when you get a chance.

[DM_rider]

Now you're talkin. Please post pics when you get a chance.


All I did was bolted on the quick release on the bottom of the aluminum plate. The only way I could get it to work was if I put it on backwards. To get it onto the tripod all I have to do it put it on from the front instead of the back. I can't move the camera with the stabilizer because the plate isn't tight enough but that's no big deal. The whole setup works great now.

[wicket]

http://images.kodakgallery.eu.com/photos245/1/67/39/65/40/8/840653967133_0_ALB.jpg
Baby brother.

[DM_rider]

http://images.kodakgallery.eu.com/photos245/1/67/39/65/40/8/840653967133_0_ALB.jpg
Baby brother.

huh?

[FreshStep]

Dm_rider,

Can you post a picture of your stabilizer with the quick release plate?

[Kholi]

Did anyone find the shelf holder at home depot?

[ctoy]

how well does the stabilizer work? could you post some footy?

[mattistupid]

when wandering through RONA the other day I found the exact same piece. I too am curious of what the footage looks like.

[bmxbud4130]

Home Depot definitely has them. I saw them there tonight, they were about $5. I'd just go in and ask someone where to find it, that place is huge.

I think I might slap one of these things together. I'm curious to see how well it works. And it's CHEAP! haha

[joakim]

I just bought a shelf holder at the dollar store. Haven't put the other piece on yet though. I would imagine it works pretty good.