DIY Fig Rig

[JLPhoto]

Here's my try at it. I've seen a lot of people using PVC, I wanted something with a bit more rigidity and professional look. Originally I went to a junk yard and got a 20" steering wheel off a big truck, it was pretty heavy and seemed to pose more challenges of attaching the cross bar. Instead I used 3/4" EMT (conduit) and made a jig to bend it. I took some time to measure the camera and get the lens exactly in the center of the circle.

• Made a jig:
I Cut a 16" circle (found an interesting way to do it on a table saw here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxbzrf4z_cg)) Originally I was going to use 1" EMT, but wasn't sure how hard it would be to bend. Also, it wold be a bit heavier. The 3/4" bent fairly easy, just took some jimmying to get it to stay in the jig and adjusting for the overlap

http://www.justinlimoges.com/2008_0415_RIG/IMG_0311.jpg

• Bending it all the way around was a bit of a challenge, had to lift up my circle a bit so that the EMT could overlap

http://www.justinlimoges.com/2008_0415_RIG/IMG_0312.jpg

• I placed a curved piece of 1/2" EMT inside the seam and drilled a hole through both and bolted the ends together (I later realized that I could use the same holes to bolt the cross bar)

http://www.justinlimoges.com/2008_0415_RIG/IMG_0316.jpg

• Added some 1 1/2" angle iron. Had a few pieces of 1/4" aluminum cut to raise up my quick release adapter (needed space to move release lever)
Also added a Bogen 577 Quick release adapter assembly

http://www.justinlimoges.com/2008_0415_RIG/IMG_0320.jpg


http://www.justinlimoges.com/2008_0415_RIG/IMG_0324.jpg

• Painted it fat black and added some bike handlebar wrap

http://www.justinlimoges.com/2008_0415_RIG/_MG_3885.jpg

• And the finished piece with an HVX. Now I'm getting started on making a couple remotes for zoom/start stop on one side and focus/iris on the other.

http://www.justinlimoges.com/2008_0415_RIG/_MG_3843.jpg

I did some testing today and it worked like a charm. Very solid, no flex. I'm sure its a bit heavier than the real deal, but it's around 4-5lbs. All together with the camera on the unit the total weight is 9.5lbs.

I'll try to get a better idea of cost in the coming days, I had the EMT already, but I know they are about $7 for a 10' length. The angle iron was about $7 or $8. Bike grip $15. The hardware, maybe another $8 total. Well, I hope this was helpful. I'll keep you posted with test footage and such.

[Jason Miller]

I think your math is a little off, if it is 9.5 pounds with the camera, (8 pound bouncing hvx200 pictured) then the fig can only be 1.5 pounds. at 1.5 pounds this fig is pretty awesome. maybe my next diy, donjt have a table saw, but they sell round wood cheap at hobby lobbys and other places. you did a great job, got any footage?

[JLPhoto]

I think your math is a little off, if it is 9.5 pounds with the camera, (8 pound bouncing hvx200 pictured) then the fig can only be 1.5 pounds. at 1.5 pounds this fig is pretty awesome. maybe my next diy, donjt have a table saw, but they sell round wood cheap at hobby lobbys and other places. you did a great job, got any footage?

Where do you get 8 lbs? From specs and what I weighed it's only 5.5 lbs with battery and p2 cards.

Yeah, just need something round, and thicker than the tube. Could use a jig saw, but happened to fine the table saw method and wanted to try it.

We just finished 3 days of shooting for some local hospital spots. I'll get into the footage in the next couple days and upload some clips.

[USLatin]

wow, nice job! hehe... I wonder how well you welded it? and if the bar added to the sturdiness? VERY nicely done, hehe! :thumbsup:
remotes too?!? nice!... saved yourself like $600!

[USLatin]

if it weighs 9.5 then it weighs like 3lbs alone... right? the 200 is 6.5lbs alone
right?

the Manfrotto version weighs 0.4lbs without clamp, remote or camera

I really like the fig, very versatile! and tough, yours may be a bit heavier but it looks tough, and while being heavier is well.... heavier, it still adds more mass therefore more resistance to vibrations



wait, you didn't weld at all? I'd have it done for sure, totally worth it

[JLPhoto]

Roberto,

I didn't weld anything. Just drilled and bolted (see tight shot of bolts above) I would have welded, but lack the equipment and skills. That's my next venture ;-)

It is very sturdy. Yes, a few pounds heavier than the real deal, but like you said, adds some mass which is good, unless you have long shots back to back.

[JLPhoto]

Here's a quick shot with my rig. First time using it on a job (had just finished building the day before.) Obviously it's no stedi-cam shot, but for a quick first run with little practice I think it turned out about as well as I would have expected.

• Original shot with rig (http://www.justinlimoges.com/vid/fig-test-01.mov)

• Same shot, smooth cam filter applied in FCP (http://www.justinlimoges.com/vid/fig-test-02.mov)

[utako.o]

Roberto,

I didn't weld anything. Just drilled and bolted (see tight shot of bolts above) I would have welded, but lack the equipment and skills. That's my next venture ;-)


when i prototype stuff that needs welding or need to repair metal, i use JB Weld. An incredible glue/paste that is close enough to actual soldering..
with a functional prototype that works, then i bring it to a machine shop that has the proper equipment to weld :)

[USLatin]

nice pulse JL