View Full Version : Fold track dolly
Im modeling it in 3d first, this is not the final build.
I plan to make a complete manual on how to build this over a few hours with a handsaw and a drilling machine + a trip to the local carfixing place.
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First test anim can be found here .mov h264 :updated:
[URL="http://www.droschler.dk/temp/longer_lil_test.mov"]www.droschler.dk/temp/longer_lil_test.mov (http://www.droschler.dk/temp/longer_lil_test.mov)
http://www.droschler.dk/temp/dolly_wip1.jpgFor the sharp eyed folks, *patent pending* menas no rights are owned.
flyingdisc
01-20-2009, 05:59 PM
gee - it looks realistic to me.
DM_rider
01-20-2009, 06:27 PM
Wow, looks like a great project. Looks real, like you shot that in a studio!
Chenopup
01-20-2009, 10:13 PM
wow - that 3D is gorgeous!
twocik23
01-21-2009, 01:08 AM
I think I've seen this design before, doesn't really work that great from what I've read. Nice render btw !! 3d max ?
pmark23
01-21-2009, 04:55 AM
Please please please actually make it. Don't be one of those people who post their grand intentions and then never post again!
NoNoob
01-21-2009, 08:00 AM
Looks great!
Instead of thumb screw tightening I would suggest using eye bolts at some of those points (if not all). They'd be more useful (like; in securing a tripod foot, running bunji or chord to baseplate for a tie down, hooking a lanyard to for a tow or brake line...)
Just a suggestion.
Anxious to see your progress with this.
You've already blown our minds with the rendering. Very cool!
twocik23 : I use 3dsmax and render with brazil 2
Currently rendering a short animation wirth 500 frames to check volumes. will past url when done.
All sorts of inputs are super. NoNoob can you stick an url for the Tightening?
would be awsome..thanks.
Ill make highres renders, building procedures and how to get abit welded if you dont have a weld hardware.
+ manual ofcourse :P
Again, feedback on design functionalities and so forth.
NoNoob
01-21-2009, 04:31 PM
Most excellent movie!!
WOW.
Here is a web page for the eye bolts (typical) that I mentioned:
http://www.larsonhardware.com/prod/short-stem-eyebolts.html
Notice they come in a variety of diameters and lengths.
As long as you're welding some of the components, it might be easy to weld some captive nuts in place to receive the eye bolts.
When assembling the rig it's just as easy to tighten (by hand) the eye bolts and they end up serving both purposes- to tighten stuff down on the rig, and for hooking into the eye itself.
Really nice vid---- I keep looking at it!
This is a keen project. Good luck with it!!
cheers Ill take a look at that.
Matt Grunau
01-22-2009, 12:08 PM
Great looking design. Please keep us updated.
Update :)
Added a new animation 1700 frames an slower motion.
Its safe to say that we will have a finished model with everything adjusted this comming weekend.
Then manual, and stuff will be made.
flyingdisc
01-23-2009, 04:27 PM
I think I've seen this design before, doesn't really work that great from what I've read. Nice render btw !! 3d max ?
Where did you read that?
Is that because torsion is not handled?
Car3o
01-23-2009, 07:14 PM
because this is just a replication of the eazydolly
http://www.eazydolly.com/productsnew.html
Chenopup
01-23-2009, 09:17 PM
hey [gk]
would be nice to see this at 24.5 inches so it will run on Matthews track.
Are you looking at any other options down the line? Rideable?
Chenopup, anything is possible.
I'll take a look at his track and see whats needed to fit that one.
twocik23
01-25-2009, 03:05 AM
"Where did you read that?
Is that because torsion is not handled?A"
I believe without any kind of locking pin it will break free at some point, not unless the track is locked down. However that will only do so much. I think the design is great for an overnight diy cheapy, but with a design that doesn't have a solid block base you're not always going to get 100% smooth motion over every possible terrain. Not to mention you would need to watch your weight, this will also increase sway. Sorry guys no Jibs.
I haven't actually tested this product and I'm only going by what I've read and have tested on similar dollies I've made. :)
Ive been awfull busy at work.
Shouldnt be to long before updates.
douchebro
02-09-2009, 02:38 PM
because this is just a replication of the eazydolly
http://www.eazydolly.com/productsnew.html
Bingo! I believe the design is also patented so posting a how to would be a bad idea and could land you in some hot water. That said my dolly is very similar to the easy dolly as well and if I didn't have to pay ransom to international postage I wouldve just bight one. I'm a firm believer that ingenuity should be rewarded so it's a shame that a) you post this as if it's your own idea and b) youre undermining the person who spent a lot off effort and testing by providing a step by step how to. Honestly the design is so simple that if you need a how to... Well then you might quite possibly be the laziest film maker around among other things.
pmark23
02-09-2009, 06:16 PM
I don't think you understand what a patent is. Patents exist to publish manufacturing information so that others can build upon your ideas while at the same time you have a limited monopoly on production. Nothing stops anyone from building it for themselves or telling others how to make it (in fact you can get very detailed build instructions for anything patented online for free.)
emotepix
02-14-2009, 09:57 AM
great design!
some thoughts that would get you out of the proverbial hot water - i.e. change the design sufficiently to be your own, or at least not like the others...
a) add provision for curved track (pivot your wheel mounts)
b) use different diameter wheels in each pod to avert the flat-spot phenomenon
c) add provision for a puller/pusher arm on both ends of the dolly
d) add provision for a center hook tie down for the tripod
e) add provision for extensions, floorboards, seat poles, etc.
f) add provision to be able to adjust the dolly to ride on varying track widths (from narrow to wider apart)
g) did you think about the rails themselves? how to fasten different lengths together? how to hold them apart properly/level them?
h) add a position indicating system on the dolly for your dolly grip's convenience - they're the ones who will like it, buy it, use it.
i) think about wide tracking some more. (f) above, because few or none of the existing systems will allow the mounting of a Kessler crane on it, for instance.