HomeBuilt stabilizer Vest

[charles]

Someone here asked me to post a pic of the vest I was working on. So here it is. Anodizing will be done together with my arm later. Still have some last minute things I'll have to do. Adjustable knobs will have to added to the socket block and arm vest bracket plate:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/EFP%20VEST%20Mods/efpmod.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/EFP%20VEST%20Mods/efpvesmod3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/EFP%20VEST%20Mods/efpmod4.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/EFP%20VEST%20Mods/efpmod3.jpg

-----------------------------------------

The vest before the shoulder adjustments changes in the above pics:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/EFP%20VEST%20Mods/efpvesmod.jpg

[hoarp001]

Very nice. Where did you get the ratchety things from? Im looking at modifying my steadicam fest to include these...

[charles]

Snow binding equipment. Check out sport goods store or just order them from Tiffen. BTW, what system are you flying?

[hoarp001]

Its a Flyer at the moment. The vest is too small for me, it looks like a small monkey trying to grab onto a huge tree. You know what i mean, just dosnt really fit. Going to upgrade the whole thing to a u2 as soon as I can, but its expensive.

Flyer is a nice system though, the vest ust dosnt fit me properly.

[charles]

That's a huge jump fromvthe Flyer to an Ultra 2. Good luck man.

[hoarp001]

Yeha I have flown the U2 afew times. I fly the clipper sometimes. Ive done the course and stuff, Im getting bigger jobs that require hire rigs. The u2 is an investment.

[charles]

Congrats. Did you get a good deal for it or is it?

[infurno]

I'm curious why you picked a front mounted design? I have been told by many that they are much more clumsy and straining to operate than a back mount.

Is this incorrect?

Most of the new commercial systems I see are returning to the back mounts.

[charles]

I'm curious why you picked a front mounted design? I have been told by many that they are much more clumsy and straining to operate than a back mount.

Is this incorrect?

Most of the new commercial systems I see are returning to the back mounts.

It is all about preference. I've tried the BM and for me it was weird and felt strange. I guess is a just a matter of getting use to it. ;) I will give it another try when the need arises. For now, the FM is my take.

[Robban E.]

WOW!!!! This vest is awesome Charles. You did that? How much did it cost to machine the parts? I really like the design. Really cool. Do you have by chance some pictures of the rest of your rig?

[charles]

Here are some pics. I will some pics with the arm fully assembled when done.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/armbeingmachined.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/armbeingmachined2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/armbeingmachined3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/arm.jpg

The arm can be configured into 3 different types of designs. Will post those pics at completion.

[timbook2]

Awesome job! The vest looks very comfortable and the metalwork is top!

[charles]

Thanks Timbook. It is comfortable.

[Gregus]

I can't seem to open the photos. I would love to be able to build one of these for myself, as I have a project coming up and I need to steady cam parts of the shoot. How can I get a chance to view these?
Thanks

[danjchoi]

wow, that looks sweet!

How much do each of those metal cubes cost? Any thoughts of production sales? ;)

[charles]

I can't seem to open the photos. I would love to be able to build one of these for myself, as I have a project coming up and I need to steady cam parts of the shoot. How can I get a chance to view these?
Thanks

Well, I have no problem seeng the pics at all. You should check your browser's settings.

[charles]

wow, that looks sweet!

How much do each of those metal cubes cost? Any thoughts of production sales? ;)

The metal blocks are Aluminum. I do not remember how much they cost per kg. I am in the long process of figuring out a way make many of these but it all depends on the amount of folks interested. I am still trying to work out the details. Any how, you will have to find out from your local metal or machine shop the charges of these blocks of aluminum.

Since everything is CNC, I have everything in a program which, depending on how things go, I might decide to sell the plans(but it is just an idea, the decision is not final and may not happen, but the thought is there.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/armc.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/armb.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/arma.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/EFP%20VEST%20Mods/efpvestmod.jpg

[Robban E.]

Very impressive charles. It looks like your system can compete with the commercial rigs of today. So will you be mass producing these? Sounds interesting. I am curious

[TiE_Shepherd]

Charles, the rig looks great. Quick question are the bones milled from channel or a solid block?

[charles]

Charles, the rig looks great. Quick question are the bones milled from channel or a solid block?


Thanks. The bones are channels which were machined to shape.

[infurno]

Would you consider machining parts and selling? Don't necessarily have to put them together, just the raw main components.

Edit- Nevermind just noticed this has already been asked.

[charles]

Would you consider machining parts and selling? Don't necessarily have to put them together, just the raw main components.

Edit- Nevermind just noticed this has already been asked.

Yes, it can be done. What did you exactly have your mind set on? The vest or arm parts?
----------------------------------




more pics:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/efppads3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/efppads2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/efppads.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/efpnewleather5.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/efpnewleather4.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/efpnewleather2.jpg

[infurno]

How much would it cost for the arm joints and bones?

[yzmotoxer807]

I am looking into building one of these pretty soon. How did you go about figuring out the spring forces, etc?

Amazing job by the way! Some of those pieces look very heavy though. Of course just my opinion but couldn't you have put some more lightening holes/slots?

[hoarp001]

Is that a standard socket block? Would you sell just the socket block?

[charles]

How much would it cost for the arm joints and bones?

I'll will get back to you on this one.

[charles]

I am looking into building one of these pretty soon. How did you go about figuring out the spring forces, etc??

The spring calculations were done using a formula on HBS. Check out the formula forum.

Amazing job by the way! Some of those pieces look very heavy though. Of course just my opinion but couldn't you have put some more lightening holes/slots?

The arm weighs in at about 4,5kg. And if it looks beefy than the rigidity of the arm is exactly what it is suppose to be. ;) The steadicam Master arm weighs in at 5kg. So there. ;) Putting in more holes you run the risk of minimizing the strength of the arm itself.

[charles]

Is that a standard socket block? Would you sell just the socket block?

Yes, it is standard, Selling the female block only. Selling the complete arm would be very expensive. I am just giving out something around a ballpark area...$2500 -$3000. Yes it sounds expensive but it is 10 times cheaper than the higher brand systems. I'm working on a website so I can post more info on this.

[hoarp001]

Ive got a steadicam arm, I could do with a socket block for a vehicle mount thats all...

[yzmotoxer807]

The arm weighs in at about 4,5kg. The steadicam Master arm weighs in at 5kg. So there. ;) Putting in more holes you run the risk of minimizing the strength of the arm itself.

Haha! Touché! It just looks beefy that's all, which truthfully, if it weighs less than the steadicam one and is still beefy than that's the best of both worlds. Congrats! :)

By the way, roughly how long did the whole process from beginning the project to completion take you? Also, how did you go about the design? Is it a (more or less) direct copy, in terms of mechanics, of the Steadicam one or are there differences?

[charles]

Ive got a steadicam arm, I could do with a socket block for a vehicle mount thats all...

I have not considered doing such a mod for vehicle mounts but it is something that I can have done. Being you just need the female part along with the bracket for the mount. If you are in a hurry then you might as well buy one from the Tiffen or White house.

[tomthemacman]

Peter -

The Flyer socket block isn't universal. It's shared by the Flyer and Pilot and Merlin Arm and Vest systems, but the socket block size is smaller, and the pin it uses is a different diameter. You could probably order a female Flyer socket block from Tiffen.

If you're looking for one for a more standard rig though, nevermind this.

[Robban E.]

Hey charles let me know when you are going into production with all this. I really love this vest and arm. But if i can get the fully mounted vest and just the parts of the arm it would be great

[Jason Miller]

wow, are these all rigs you just have laying around?

[Jeff Anderson]

Yeah Peter to confirm the Flyer is definitely not a standard block and is available for just over $100 USD if I remember right.

If you're just looking to mount to speedrail or similiar I've got the specs for the u-bolts and aluminum plate that Tiffen is using with McMaster part numbers for the hardware. Drill a few holes and line it all up and you are set.

Per Mike Craig at Tiffen:
At the factory, we use 6061 Temper 6 (for the plate) so I would recommend using that as well. For hardware, grade 5 will be fine. For U-Bolts, we use McMaster Carr part number 3043t29.


I had asked him about using 1/4" Aluminum plate and making my own and that thought that would work just fine and added the above specs.

Back to topic -

Very awesome rigs Charles. Have been contemplating doing some modifying to my flyer vest - mainly a shorter spar on the front as I'm just a tad short for it. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on how it goes. Few have the patience and skill to make something of this kind of quality.

[charles]

wow, are these all rigs you just have laying around?

They are rigs that have been going through many transitions over time. They do not exist any more. They were more of an experiment build in my quest to developing the more finer rig which I am in the process of building. Like th earm and vest in my first post.

My system is a collection of steadicam parts and HB components. I am working on starting a small business that does mods for very specific systems like the EFP vest and alternatives for GC V16/v20 sleds and vest. The vest you see n my first post is the reconstruction of my Steadicam EFP vest which I moded to handle heavier loads. The original EFP spars had broken when I purchased it and decided to I was going to fix it but then went on to reconstruct it with a complete machined spar and brest plate. The only thing that is original on the vest is the lower back padding and the safty line on the back.

This was the original EFP vest with along with the broken spar:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/originalefpvest.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/brokenefpspars.jpg

I've also got an idea for moding the GC sleds to be tool free adaptable to dynamic adjustments.

[hoarp001]

Peter -

The Flyer socket block isn't universal. It's shared by the Flyer and Pilot and Merlin Arm and Vest systems, but the socket block size is smaller, and the pin it uses is a different diameter. You could probably order a female Flyer socket block from Tiffen.

If you're looking for one for a more standard rig though, nevermind this.


Yeah I know. CP has stuck a big socket block on his Flyer, Il just do the same.

Im upgrading to a clipper 324 or u2 soon anyway...

[Robban E.]

Wow! If you still have any of those rigs i like to buy them from you. How many do you have man?

Another question. What is this efp vest you keep talking about?

[charles]

Wow! If you still have any of those rigs i like to buy them from you. How many do you have man?

Another question. What is this efp vest you keep talking about?

Unfortunately I do not have any of those rigs any more. They were more experimental rigs than anything else. :)


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/armc.jpg

[Robban E.]

I must tell you those parts look very professional. Great job

[charles]

Thanks Robban.

[Robban E.]

I was wondering can i use hockey vest to start with as vest?

[charles]

Robban, funny you should asked that. If in my previous post at the last pic of one of my older vest. The body fabric was taken from a hockey vest. It worked fairly well. I suggest you add another 1" of padding if you do decide to go that direction.

Hey guys, my friend of mine took this promo pic of my arm in the hands of a beautiful girl. Now how's that for Advertising. This of course is a joke but thinking how many manufacturers use sex to sell their products this should really get the ball rolling don't you think? Ha Ha :)

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/steadigirl.jpg

[yzmotoxer807]

Haha! Nice! :)

[Robban E.]

Ha Ha! I like the girl. I will definately buy her... ;)

[charles]

The girl is an extra 60 million... ;)

[btownproductions]

Looks very nice charles! I'm looking forward to seeing the final product. It looks quite professional so far

[Trey T]

prolly not a good idea to sell your latest CNC plan. you should sell your older CNC plan, at most.

looks pretty good.

--------------
anyone know if anybody make/build high quality arm but smaller like the Pilot?

[Matt Grunau]

Hey guys, my friend of mine took this promo pic of my arm in the hands of a beautiful girl. Now how's that for Advertising.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/steadigirl.jpg





What? There's a metal arm in that picture???


Didn't notice . . . :beer:

[charles]

prolly not a good idea to sell your latest CNC plan. you should sell your older CNC plan, at most.

looks pretty good.

--------------
anyone know if anybody make/build high quality arm but smaller like the Pilot?


Which older CNC plan are you referring to?

[charles]

Looks very nice charles! I'm looking forward to seeing the final product. It looks quite professional so far

Thank you kindly. Can't wait to get it anodized. Waiting for the spring plugs to be machined.

[Trey T]

I was just stating to sell your other plan besides your latest and greatest, just to protect yourself.
Which older CNC plan are you referring to?

btw, do you have plan to make and sell smaller version of steadicam, similar size to steadicam pilot?

[charles]

I was just stating to sell your other plan besides your latest and greatest, just to protect yourself.


Ok I understand, but I have no plans from my previous systems, unfortunately.


btw, do you have plan to make and sell smaller version of steadicam, similar size to steadicam pilot?

Well, we've design a smaller version of the arm. Will post a 3D version of it at the end of the week.

[charles]

Trey, this is the arm we will work on later on down the line. This is a smaller version of the arm that I have.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/test5black-2.jpg

[Trey T]

I like it. Very low-profile. at one section, what is the rough dimension of the arm? .... 4"x12"?

[Robban E.]

Holly shit! I like this small arm even better. What will be the weight it can handle?

[Robban E.]

Are you still writing that book about how you build your steadicam? If so when will it be out?

[charles]

Holly shi*! I like this small arm even better. What will be the weight it can handle?

Not sure yet. Have not come that long. I am still concentrating on the heavier arm.

Are you still writing that book about how you build your steadicam? If so when will it be out?

I am in the process of writing it. I do not want to give any exact dates untill I am done with it. But hopefully this year. If you're interested in the other books I've written see here: http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com/salebannerpage.html

[hawaj]

Just Amazing Charles!!!
Well done :thumbsup:

[charles]

Just Amazing Charles!!!
Well done :thumbsup:

Glad you like it. Here are the parts ready for anodizing:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/all_the_parts2.jpg

[twocik23]

She's a beaut Charles !!

[Robban E.]

Got to agree. She is beauty. I really this design of your.

[charles]

Thanks guys. Much appreciation.

[goddie]

Nice vest..u did a great job man..!!!

[charles]

Thanks goodie. hopefully I will be able to show the compete system when I'm done machining the rest of the parts.

[lahoozaa]

WTF? that is ridiculously awesome..

can I be your friend?

[charles]

WTF? that is ridiculously awesome..

can I be your friend?


Thanks. Glad you like it.

[jowei]

hey charles, do you got some DIY arm brace like this?

http://www.gotosteadycam.com/sites/Steadiicam/_files/image/Bh_Forarm_Brace.jpg

[charles]

No i do not. That is a glidecam brace used to leviate the pressure on the arm. Are you looking for something like this? Do you have a hand held?

[Robban E.]

hey charles, do you got some DIY arm brace like this?

http://www.gotosteadycam.com/sites/Steadiicam/_files/image/Bh_Forarm_Brace.jpg


i have used this before and it helps just a little. I sold it two weeks later. Hey charles, is that book finish yet? How is your steadycam? Are you soon finished? Any more pictures to show?:smile:

[charles]

My rig is almost complete. I have more pics on the HBS forum board where you can see the different variations. You can check there. For those others here is a pic of the sled.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/coplete_rig_bigger_size.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/mounted_loaded_rig.jpg

[GottaBeTheJuice]

If you were to finalize your plans and make it again (without the trial and error obviously)
How much would it cost?

Looks very professional by the way.

[Robban E.]

OH MY GOD!!!!! That is soooo great!!! It looks like you bought it from the store. How much did all that cost you? Like what the guy said, how much does it cost you to make that? I too love the design.

[charles]

If you were to finalize your plans and make it again (without the trial and error obviously)
How much would it cost?

Looks very professional by the way.

Wooooo!!! Well, the simplest answer to that question would be to buy a flyer LE or a more compatible rig. I do not know if you have followed my build over at HBS but regardless, it would not be cheap. I was thinking about this when I started this build a long time ago. But now seeing the time and work involved it would be idiotic of me to sell it anywhere less than what a flyer LE cost. And to add to that. This rig can handle more weight and has more connection option than the flyer; which means it will handle almost anything. I have built this rig with the intension of flying 35mm cameras as well. So, to be honest it would be better off buying a commercial system then have me make one for you. :) I am honored you like the rig. Thank you.

Now, on the other hand, I will/have started to sell components that one can use to build a customize rig or want modification done to their own system. I do not know but this might interest you.

See this link: http://aeronamic-systems.com/3ddrawings.htm .

Those drawings are components for those interested in putting together a rig of their own. I have a couple more that are not added but if it something you might be interested in then let me know. If not. no worries. I appreciate your interest. :)

[Robban E.]

OK Charles. Thank you. I understand it was a lot of work and to make one for someone will cost. I see also the link you posted and I am interested in those parts. any price?

[charles]

OK Charles. Thank you. I understand it was a lot of work and to make one for someone will cost. I see also the link you posted and I am interested in those parts. any price?

I'll let you know or just keep track of that link.

[Robban E.]

Ok Charles. I will. Thank you.

[chaspdx]

3 words, fab u lus lol great job my dvx brother great job

[charles]

3 words, fab u lus lol great job my dvx brother great job

Thank you.

[TiE_Shepherd]

Hey Charles, any updates on the new book? Last thing I saw was you were planning on having it ready in the fall. I think it's the "two steps ahead" one right? The one with the new rig.

[charles]

Hey Charles, any updates on the new book? Last thing I saw was you were planning on having it ready in the fall. I think it's the "two steps ahead" one right? The one with the new rig.

Yeah that's the one. It's almost done. I am waiting to get the parts andonized. Check out this link for availability: http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com/salebannerpage.html . check out the SteadIcam vs SteadYcam I completed a month or two this year on that same link.

Time is is always an issue for me as slower times means cheaper machining results. This way I do not pay an arm and leg to have things done for me. ;)

[charles]

Just painted the vest. The only thing left on it to do is add a lumbar waist belt to give it the extra comfort if need be.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/painted_steadicam_vest.jpg

[Robban E.]

Wow! looks really pro like when all the painting is done. A wonderful work you have done

[charles]

Thanks. The thing is I'm always coming up with more improvements....Does it ever stop??? ummmhh, maybe not :)

I have 4 vest plates, vest spars and vest/arm brackets for sale if anyone is interested.

[charles]

Some small improvements.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/tiking/Aeronamic%20Systems/final_vest.jpg

[MadHMC150]

Hey Charles, thanks again for those parts.

I used a few parts to update a vest I was working on. I pretty much unbolted my stuff and bolted in charles' vest plate, spar and bracket. I got to get some more snazzy latches like the one above!

http://www.cflbars.com/images/vest-mad-smooth.jpg

[jonE5]

Do you have any pics of you wearing the vest? Does it make you look like a cyborg? Looks pretty cool.

[MadHMC150]

I don't have any yet with the new pieces... I have a few of the old one but its just not as cool :)

[charles]

Hey Mad, the vest looks awesome. I was wondering, yeah, it looks like mine...then I remembered. oh yeah, I made the parts. Ha Ha Ha. I must say it looks really good. Nice job man. you've done a wonderful job incoporating with the rest of the parts. :)

BTW, can you post a better pic of the arm connecter bracket please. Hope you are satisfied with the parts. :)

[MadHMC150]

Thanks! I got a little work to do here and there... Love the parts, well worth the investment.

I will post more pics when I get a real arm to attach which should be ordered in the next couple days. I may have to change the way it mounts. I made a DIY arm for a shoot and wasn't to happy with it, but it worked. That's the part on their now.

I will be attching this arm, any suggestions?

http://cflbars.com/images/arm-connector.jpg

[charles]

I see that you have a Basson arm. Do you want to know how to attached the arm? Or how to modify it?

[MadHMC150]

Yeah, thinking about it. You have any opinions of the basson arms?

I am thinking the current setup I have will work, just a long pin (bolt) through both the arm and bracket... You have a triangle looking thing so I was wondering how your arm connected.

[charles]

The Basson arms are not any favorite of mine. Some have had complaints about them, especially their welded joints which have broken off on some models. The bolt through the the arm bearing is a simple solution. My vest/arm connection is Steadicam socket block set. Fore and aft adjustment have never een so easy. The pros cannot live without it either.

[MadHMC150]

I fly a pretty light weight system HMC150 and glidecam - I'm able to get the basson arm used for less then anything I have seen comparable.

I have seen the report of the weld breaking, ah. This is the 500 series, which is the ones with not so good reviews.

Best thing about designing your own stuff is you can always rework things later as the budgets gets bigger. I like that socket block setup, something i hope i wont need staring off.

[charles]

Actually there is a drawing on HBS website of a complete socket block. Might be something of interest. Have you seen the Indian flycam arms? They are not too bad, if you rework them with the right springs. They do not seem to accurate when it comes to outfitting them correctly. I think their arms can be a good starting point for modification. There are many post on HBS board about modifying them.

BTW, post your setup in my thread on 'customizing rig' in this DIY forum. you'll see my thread. I like tyo see your setup. BTW, can I use your pic on my sales website that I am setting up for my private business as well as on HBS website?