Homemade Steadicam

[shred444]

Hey guys, since i wont be buying a $20,000 steadicam anytime soon, i've decided to make my own. My budget is between $300 and $500. I'll be using standard tools as well as some CNC machinging. Here's some progress... comments are appreciated. If you want to see more, let me know and I'll post some more.

Cutting some of the arm pieces:
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1352438-38c


Bearings, Two packs of these
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1352439-219

Lots of hardware from home depot
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1352441-e70

Some shorter pieces of aluminum for the arm:
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1524735-72f

Some plates for the camera stage and LCD Screen
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1524739-64e

[Drew Ott]

Looks like it could be cool.

Keep us updated.

[mikkowilson]

Cody's design?


- Mikko

[shred444]

Yup cody's design with some tweaks. I've been using a mill for almost everything and a CNC for the bearing holes

[mikkowilson]

Good luck!

let us know how the project goes!

Also be sure to join HBS if you haven't yet!

- Mikko

[shred444]

yup, already a member. figured i'd share this with you guys too

[shred444]

Here's another update for you guys


posts with holes cut out with a CNC machine
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531061-22c

bearings press fit in
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531064-359

camera stage
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531066-741

another view and less blurry
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531065-984

[JasonFox]

Very cool! I bought Cody's book long ago and have since not touched it! Haha. Granted, I don't have a CNC or other good tools. Good luck -- looks like you're well on your way.

[shred444]

a few more updates for you guys. the arm is completely assembled. just waiting on the springs

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531087-3e0

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531088-67a

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531089-9d0

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531090-3cc

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1531091-cb6

[Daan Pol]

Awesome!

[shred444]

springs are in....

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1540749-1d7

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1540751-b9e

[mikkowilson]

Daaaamn your working fast! :thumbsup:


- Mikko ... couldn't keep up to this pace even with LEGO.

[JasonFox]

Daaaamn your working fast! :thumbsup:


- Mikko ... couldn't keep up to this pace even with LEGO.

Holy cow, no lie. That's both good and fast. So it must not be cheap.

[Logan LeBlanc]

When ya' gonna finish this thing and give us some footy. Then we can all ask the next obvious question: how much? : )

[shred444]

haha I'm glad you guys like the progress so far. It's been a busy couple of weeks.

The last part I need to finish is the vest. I'm waiting for some pieces to be welded...and I dont know any welders.

[MiniMan13]

haha I'm glad you guys like the progress so far. It's been a busy couple of weeks.

The last part I need to finish is the vest. I'm waiting for some pieces to be welded...and I dont know any welders.
Psh, just grab a MIG, point it down, pull the trigger and hope for the best.
it should work...



Horribly.
Nice Rig you go going there.

[shred444]

Psh, just grab a MIG, point it down, pull the trigger and hope for the best.
it should work...



Horribly.
Nice Rig you go going there.


Miniman, I took your advice. I am now blind in my right eye and the steadicam is now permanently welded to my collar bone

[mikkowilson]

well, that should make the vest nice and snug then. :thumbsup: :)


- Mikko

[DM_rider]

I wish I had the craftsmanship to build something like this...

[Drew Ott]

I wish I had the craftsmanship to build something like this...


Same here. How much is the whole thing going to cost you?

[shred444]

the cost is still up for debate. right now, i've spent about 250-300. All of the cost is for the metal and hardware since i'm machining the pieces myself. Im working on the vest at the moment, and I might use a kite boarding vest (150-200 dollars)

http://www.kitesurfari.com/store/Vest_Harness.jpg

still not sure of my options yet.

I'll keep you guys updated on the price though...

[mikkowilson]

Shred,
The vest needs to provide a ridged attachment point to your torso for the arm.

Generally the simplest (and best) design is a stiff front plate/spar that has soft peices that run behind your back. These "straps" should be sort of stiff, but flexible (Leather works great), these should then be lightly padded to distribute the weight.

The whole vest should be ridged in front and fit snugly, all without restricting any movement or putting preasure on any one area (like the back).

- Mikko

[shred444]

i plan on reinforcing a pre-made vest with aluminum and steel. If i use this vest, I will reinforce the waste belt with aluminum plating, and have a back mounted steel beam to where the arm will attach to. I'll also have a section going up my back parallel to my spine made of aluminum. This should reinforce the vest so it can take the weight

[mikkowilson]

I'd recomend goign with a front mount vest. Backmount vests can cause all sorts of trouble as they bypass the body's natrual support system - do it wrong and you can cause soem serious problems.

Font mount vests are much harder to get wrong to the point of injury.

- Mikko

[Rodney V. Smith]

Mikko is right about the front mount (of course he is). I just went through a discovery process building my own rig and the vest was one of the trickiest parts. I had originally gone with a back-mounted design, but initial testing proved that the design wasn't quite right and I was really feeling it in my back.. Not a good thing, so i went back to the drawing board and redesigned everything for a front mount. So far it works perfectly and is considerably more comfortable.

Go Front Mount, go!

[shred444]

Alright, got my vest. Check this guy out...he looks like 50 cent. oh wait, that's me

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1590780-b38

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1590778-7d7

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1590777-cf0

I ran out of aluminum, but this is what the back exoskeleton would look like. The waist plate will be bent, of course.
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1590781-565

The waist plate will slide into the harness back. There is a pocket that wraps around the waste of the vest for the belt to go through.
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/1590782-35a


Think it will work? It better.

[mikkowilson]

It should work, but it may create some preassure-points.

If you feel ANY pain. Stop. Readjust the vest, re-adjust your posture, then try again. Do not operate if it's causing any pain.

Also, read this: http://steadivision.com/steadipos.htm


Looking good though. :thumbsup:


- Mikko

[Attic6]

That vest is straight out of Counter Srike! Looks awsome 10 points.

[Shane Jackson]

haha I'm glad you guys like the progress so far. It's been a busy couple of weeks.

The last part I need to finish is the vest. I'm waiting for some pieces to be welded...and I dont know any welders.


If I was near you I would do the welding for you. You could always check at your local community college and see if they have a welding class. If so, see if they will weld it for you.

Looks good. When you going to start building mine. :thumbsup:

[shred444]

North Carolina isnt that far... right?

I sent my stuff off to a local welder on friday. It should be done tomorrow(monday). I'll post images when i get it.

After that.... I'm 95% done. I just need to assemble all the pieces

[carlmart]

Not willing to sound negative, but I wouldn't say your steadicam could be called "homemade", as it needs CNC.

I am not sure everybody will have a CNC machine at home. Where I live, in Rio de Janeiro, I don't even know where to find a CNC service to make the holes at.

Is there a more "home" way to do the holes?

[shred444]

Oh yes, the holes can be drilled with a 55/64 drill bit. But since i didnt feel like searching everywhere for that bit, it was easier for my to use a CNC.

The results were a little overkill for my application, but hey, why not?

[snodart]

Ahhh, nice thread. I bought Cody's book over a year ago. I have almost everything cut and ready to go. I have just been waiting until we move and I have my shop set up. Thanks for posting so many pics, they will be a huge help once I start piecing this thing together. If only I could afford a remote FF for my 35mm adapter so I could actually use the rig...

[carlmart]

Oh yes, the holes can be drilled with a 55/64 drill bit. But since i didnt feel like searching everywhere for that bit, it was easier for my to use a CNC.

The results were a little overkill for my application, but hey, why not?

In any case you will also need a precision table drill for the holes, and that large diameter drill may not be easily available.

How do you fix the ball bearins to the holes?

Sorry if my question sounds a bit simplistic.

[shred444]

yup, youll need a drill press...which arent very expensive any more. $150 bucks can buy you a nice one at home depot. As long as your careful, you can be pretty accurate with that and a vice.

The bearings can be pounded in with a piece of wood and a hammer. They are rollerblade bearings, so they are pretty rugged. I had a bearing press available to me, so of course i used that, but again...it was overkill.

[brokenjack]

Are you basing your rig on Cody's low budget or medium budget rig.

[Shane Jackson]

im ready to build one! now I just need some schmatics.....

[shred444]

Are you basing your rig on Cody's low budget or medium budget rig.

its the low budget, but with some modifications

[shred444]

Update... Everything is pretty much done. I've got a ton of pictures up here: http://picasaweb.google.com/shred444/Steadicam


I've also got a video here:
http://tinyurl.com/2w7t4c


http://lh3.google.com/shred444/RtBhR1RDW9I/AAAAAAAAAEU/zuzXzaJwOQ0/IMG_2416.JPG?imgmax=1024

http://lh6.google.com/shred444/RtBkBlRDXUI/AAAAAAAAAHg/7fayZn0Gwc4/IMG_2439.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh6.google.com/shred444/RtBi1lRDXII/AAAAAAAAAF0/3zZwpMxZjmI/IMG_2427.JPG?imgmax=800

[JasonFox]

Ooooooooooh. Except for the XL2. Hah!

[MiniMan13]

300 Trailer music did it for me, Nice work.

[ryan brown]

Very nice. Out of curiousity, how much previous practice do you have with a steadicam?

I'm wondering if that footage is "fresh out of the gate", or if you've worked with a steadicam before. Either way, it looks really good... and really make's me want one ;)

-brown

p.s. I'll give you TEN whole dollars to build one for me! think about it...:2vrolijk_08:

[snodart]

Looks nice shred. The slight mods you mentioned... was there anything major aside from the stuff noted over at the HBS forum? Also, just curious; what was the rope for on the back of the vest?

[shred444]

Very nice. Out of curiousity, how much previous practice do you have with a steadicam?

p.s. I'll give you TEN whole dollars to build one for me! think about it...:2vrolijk_08:

I've never used a steadicam before, nor have I ever seen one in person. Only on TV and online. Fresh out of the gate.

I've already started building yours.... I'll have to charge for shipping though...Is that alright?


Looks nice shred. The slight mods you mentioned... was there anything major aside from the stuff noted over at the HBS forum? Also, just curious; what was the rope for on the back of the vest?

I went into more detail over at HBS, but that's about it. Now I am going back and modifying the system...starting with my camera quick release bracket shown below.


The rope is for nothing. I was using it to hold the straps around my shoulders because i was lazy and didnt feel like making my 17th trip to home depot this week.

http://lh3.google.com/shred444/RtMnHFRDXYI/AAAAAAAAAIY/eXLe9fCXmas/Picture%20003.jpg
http://lh5.google.com/shred444/RtSAqVRDXaI/AAAAAAAAAIo/Et5DjKhC9Gk/Picture%20005.jpg
http://lh4.google.com/shred444/RtSAqFRDXZI/AAAAAAAAAIg/P4lf-YQ2Y88/Picture%20004.jpg

[KROOKEDKROWN]

Great job dude you are taking DYI to a whole new level ....
Was that shot at U.S.C it sure looks like the campus

[shred444]

nope, Northeastern University in Boston. I'll shoot more tomorrow evening if it's nice out.

[Logan LeBlanc]

Hey shredd. Is there any way you could do an itemized list for product/price? That thing looks to good to not build for the price. Thanks

[shred444]

I really cant say specifics as to what i used. Most of the alumnium i got from a local warehouse at $3.25 a pound. The steel was from mcmaster and some rare parts from onlinemetals.com. Everything else was machined or cut myself.

As for the vest, that was $180
Welding was $50.
Monopod was $50
hardware was around $70
springs were around $20
bearings were $60
shipping for most of this stuff was probably another $50 total

those were the big purchases.

[Shane Jackson]

That thing looks great!! When you going to build mine??? ;)

[PaPa]

looks really good.
I am not sure if you are a steaadicam operator, but im going to guess No because your system looks very well put together, but the footage shows a bit of shake that affects the image with a quick vibration. Is that just cause this is new to you?

[shred444]

looks really good.
I am not sure if you are a steaadicam operator, but im going to guess No because your system looks very well put together, but the footage shows a bit of shake that affects the image with a quick vibration. Is that just cause this is new to you?

I've never operated a steadicam before or seen one in real life. Only on TV and online.

That was my first day using it...so i'll need some practice. I'm heading out today again to try some more. Hopefully you'll see some improvement.


That thing looks great!! When you going to build mine??? ;)


Right after I'm done with rcbrown23's

[Shane Jackson]

Right after I'm done with rcbrown23's

Cool, let me know where to mail the check.:thumbsup:

[34Ford]

Okay, new here. Just bought a Sony HVR-V1U and im a 30 year machinest and Im the CNC programmer at this company that I work at and Im interested in a stabilizer.

So the sled first.

Whats the most common outer diameter of the main post?
3/4" or 1" maybe. Need this to get correct bearing ID.

[shred444]

for my new sled, I'm using a 1.5"OD, 1.375"ID carbon fiber post.

Should be here by wednesday.

[mikkowilson]

Man Shred, moving up. 1.5" CF is serious stuff. Keep us posted on your progress! :thumbsup:

- Mikko

[Lucas Adamson]

Can somebody post links to the design fore-runner's threads please. I'd like to make a Steadicam and I need a design or two and plenty of advice.

Many thanks
Lucas

[shred444]

check out homebuiltstabilizers.com

Their forum is all about this stuff.

[Matthew R. Rodwell]

wow, great job :D

[totalfilmmaker]

I am very interested in purchasing one of these as well :)

[Logan LeBlanc]

I am very interested in purchasing one of these as well :)

I didn't check this out but are these for sale? Did I miss something cause I'd give one of my 3 testicles for this. Neato

[marketmd]

Jesus, all that work. One mouse click and I had my Merlin.

[Logan LeBlanc]

Does your merlin have an arm and vest?

[marketmd]

Nope...but my cam is only 5 lbs, and I can hold it for hours (being ambidextrous probably helps)

[Rodney V. Smith]

Jesus, all that work. One mouse click and I had my Merlin.

It's the DIY section. Some of us actually enjoy the challenge and the knowledge gained in building stuff. That's what this section is for after all.

DIY rules

[shred444]

i'm actually in the process of building a second one... so i may sell this one... if you guys are nice :-)

[totalfilmmaker]

sweet :D dibs?

[Kdawg]

Yes sir Mr. Shred sir

Nice job on that, quick too.

[shred444]

back again with some more pictures from a wedding i filmed.

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2089826-8c9

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2089827-7b5

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2089828-2fc

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2089829-de5

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2089830-b7c

[karapetkov]

An inspiration! :thumbsup:

[Rodney V. Smith]

it really is an inspiration. Shred inspired me to finally get off my ass amd working on my rig. I've been tweakign with it ever since and the sled is going through it's third rebuild 9adding monitor and battery, so all I have to say is this: thanks Shred. Hopefully your build inspired more of us to get moving on building our own.

[mikkowilson]

Shred,
Try moving your hand down below the gimble to the CG of the sled, you'll probabaly find delicate control easier.

- Mikko

[shred444]

Mikko, on my next gimbal, i will definitely try that. This one has been giving my enough trouble.

Here are some pictures of my new sled in the works

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2113489-bda

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2113490-8a5

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2113491-fc4

[Rodney V. Smith]

looks like someone has been shopping at mcmaster-carr. i was just looking at those parts the other day to rebuild my sled. what diameter of aluminum tube did you decide to go with Shred?

[mikkowilson]

Regardign hand positions: No need to modify or adjust the rig, just move you hand lower on the post so it's below the gimbal!


Those new parts look really good. Well done.

Is that a CF centerpost I see in the works? Will you be making a new stage too?

- Mikko

[karapetkov]

So, can a homemade steadi like this perform comparatively to its "bigger" and more expensive brothers [60k+ $], if the operator really knows what he's doing?

Would the gap between the home-made and the hi-end steadi be that big?

[mikkowilson]

So, can a homemade steadi like this perform comparatively to its "bigger" and more expensive brothers [60k+ $], if the operator really knows what he's doing?

Would the gap between the home-made and the hi-end steadi be that big?

It's a good topic that was actually just recently discussed over at HBS... http://hbsboard.com/index.php/topic,2954.0.html

- Mikko

[karapetkov]

HBS - cool site. :) 10x.

[shred444]

looks like someone has been shopping at mcmaster-carr. i was just looking at those parts the other day to rebuild my sled. what diameter of aluminum tube did you decide to go with Shred?


It's 1.5" and it's actually carbon fiber.

Wicked strong

[karapetkov]

Would this kind of stabilizer perform well with a Red One? :happy:

Or a full rig would be too heavy?

[shred444]

this could be used with the red, although i'm not sure what it weighs.

This rig can hold between 6lbs-15lbs cameras (using different springs)

[Claw]

this could be used with the red, although i'm not sure what it weighs.

This rig can hold between 6lbs-15lbs cameras (using different springs)

The RED ONE body is 9 - 10 pounds, I think. When you add a lens, battery, monitor etc, it will probably easily outweigh 15lbs

[Lucas Adamson]

So, here's a question for anyone who's built "a dream" or stabilizer.

I've been over to the HBS website, and it is vast. Starting out over there is like wading in mud, because you don't know where to start, understand the finer details of the concepts discussed, know whose advice to take or which plan to follow. Can anybody tell me a good place to start, or else a sure-fire plan to follow in order to build a good rig for about £500 that will suit a DVX100 with rails, matte-box and 35mm adapter (about 14lb).

I would buy one of the paperback books available, but it seems that everyone has made "tweaks" or developed improvements over these designs, and I want to spend my money on the very thing, not some old idea.

Any advice is most welcome.

Lucas

[Avenger007]

Fantastic job on the build. Looks very official and the footage is showing that the rig is clearly working for you. I think with some more practice youll really be accomplishing some great shots.

Heres my questions:
-What kind of personal adjustments does this have? Can spring pressure be adjusted, arm fore/aft and side to side movement, and vest adjustments?
-can you float the unit at your side just like a real steadicam?

A steadicam is all about tailoring the tool to your body. The precision of the rig is what makes it so powerful when setup properly. You shouldn't feel the camera wanting to pull and push against you at all. The more you fight it, the more stress on your body and the more the shot is affected.

The reason I comment is because I wonder how universal this rig/design is for different users. I know that Cody's setup is copied a lot but can it adapt in its current form to people of different sizes/shapes. Great job and keep us updated on the new sled.

Also, Where did you order the CF and Vest from?

[shred444]

a little update for my friends.


Onlinemetals.com order. Those guys must hate me. (Yes, two of everything...just in case i screw up)
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2205557-9d6


My first time on a lathe....it's getting there
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2205556-dbb

stage, 1/4 of the way done. Still need to thread the insides and square it up
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2205559-d32

[shred444]

-What kind of personal adjustments does this have? Can spring pressure be adjusted, arm fore/aft and side to side movement, and vest adjustments?


The only thing that cannot be adjusted is spring pressure. Everything else can. To adjust springs, you just pop em out and put stronger/weaker ones in there. My next revision will have a tensioning system.



-can you float the unit at your side just like a real steadicam?

Yes, definitely. Everyone watching me thinks im holding onto this thing for dear life. Then i let go, and it just levitates in front of me, and they finally get the idea of what's going on.



Also, Where did you order the CF and Vest from?
[/QUOTE]
the carbon fiber was from www.macqc.com. The vest is a DaKine kite surfing vest i tweaked to make work. Its great, but since its the same material as a lifejacket/wetsuit, you sweat like a monkey.

[j]

>you sweat like a monkey.

Nah, that's just you workin' so hard. It's why you can charge so much...

:-)

[Avenger007]

So did you purchase cody's book and mainly follow that design for yours? If so, how are those books? Do you feel it is detailed and comprehensive enough?

[shred444]

I purchased cody's basic book...partially for the plans, but also because I really didnt have a great idea of how a steadicam comes together. His book provides a nice easy way to design it with readily available parts but more importantly, it teaches you about how it works. Since I have access to higher end tools and machines, I'm going to redesign my rig from the weakest part first ...the sled. There is way too much wobble when it tries to support the XL2. I purchased his advanced sled section, and I've started now.


Progress has been slow because I've never used a lathe before. I guess its time to learn.

[charles]

So did you purchase cody's book and mainly follow that design for yours? If so, how are those books? Do you feel it is detailed and comprehensive enough?

Cody's books are the best out there. Highly detailed. He also tells you where to get the stuff you need - every part. So if you want confirmation then you just got it. :)

[charles]

So, here's a question for anyone who's built "a dream" or stabilizer.

I've been over to the HBS website, and it is vast. Starting out over there is like wading in mud, because you don't know where to start, understand the finer details of the concepts discussed, know whose advice to take or which plan to follow. Can anybody tell me a good place to start, or else a sure-fire plan to follow in order to build a good rig for about £500 that will suit a DVX100 with rails, matte-box and 35mm adapter (about 14lb).

I would buy one of the paperback books available, but it seems that everyone has made "tweaks" or developed improvements over these designs, and I want to spend my money on the very thing, not some old idea.


Any advice is most welcome.

Lucas


Well Lucas, it's all a matter of starting a post over there. If you don't post we can't help you in your quest to building a descent rig or how to start. :) The question is, are you up to it???? If not it would be better to buy yourself a system.

A good place to start on HBS would be the HBS 101 forum, here: http://hbsboard.com/index.php/board,38.0.html

[shred444]

sorry guys, i've been extremely busy at work and school. I'll be back on monday with some more updates i hope.

[taormina]

Question for Charles / Shred - Can Cody's phase II arm, sled, vest, etc. be built for $1000?

[shred444]

probably not. The cost of the materials alone could add up to that. there are some things that will need to be outsourced, such as welding and some intricate machining...and usually places charge a heavy setup or tooling fee.

[shred444]

Also, some bad news. I broke my leg last week mountain biking, and im heading in for surgery tomorrow. I'll be out of the game for a while, but responding to posts as they come in.

For your viewing pleasure:

Bad news. Sunday I was up in Maine mountain biking, took a spill and wrapped my leg around a rock. I wont be able to work for a little while. But dont worry, I'll be nice and healed in no time


http://photos-592.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v71/59/100/1801592/n1801592_33174596_9509.jpg
http://photos-592.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v49/59/100/1801592/n1801592_31590318_1351.jpg
http://photos-592.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v125/59/100/1801592/n1801592_34303901_7920.jpg

[Jeff Anderson]

doh - heal up soon! Nice bike btw, too bad it tried to assassinate you.

[mikkowilson]

OWWWW... :eek:

Get well soon buddy!


- Mikko

[shred444]

on the road to recovery.

crappy quality xray from today:
http://www.divshare.com/img/display/2559304-c7e

[shred444]

im actually going to anodize it, but thank you for your advice

[Kdawg]

Wow, looks like you got screwed. I hope all heals up well.

[Drew Ott]

Hope you recover quickly.

It also looks like you have a gigantic heel.

[dory_breaux]

Is that the Specialized SX or SXT?

[shred444]

'06 Enduro

[Jason Miller]

how much noise does it make? any squeeking, ratteling, creaking that my be picked up durring recording while close up on your actors?

Jason

[Avenger007]

Any updates on the new sled?

Also, is it worth it to get Cody's vest book? I was thinking of just getting the Arm II and Sled II books. I want to build a front mounted version instead so that it is easier to transition between this rig and our ultra 2 steadicam (used on our bigger cameras).

[sagemaster]

Just bumping this up so it doesn't get lost - I'm sure I'm not the only one anxious to see more of this. How is your recovery going? Hope you're well on the road to it.

Can't wait to see more progress on the steadicam! Keep us posted.

[sagemaster]

bump,.. see above

[sagemaster]

Hey Shred444! Progress report? Please?

[armisiano]

Shred444, you okay? It's been a while since any updates on this VERY popular thread. I'm quite curious.