skater dolly pre design suggestions?

[Baluardo]

Hi all,
thinking of designing and building a dolly, i was going towards the skater idea (same concept of this link)
http://www.pstechnik.de/en/skater-mini-camera-dolly.php

my idea is to avoid track placement and heavy /noisy dolly transportation. just a skater system, a flat hardish long surface to make it slide on, and a few supports for dollying at the right height. i think it would be easier to build, more versatile in some situations, and easier to transport than a dolly dolly. length (limited by the flat surface you can carry around) is the only prob i guess..

i'm just trying to understand if i can find a flat long surface which is hard enough and at the same time i can roll it a bit for transportation...
Also i will need to install some sort of tripod head (or maybe full legged tripod at shorter setting?) on it to be able to pan.

what do you DIY freaks think about it? :)
Suggestions and opinions?

thx all,
Andrea

[Neil Rowe]

i think youll have trouble on any semi rough or rough surface and any transitions between surface types or ground levels. which is ahy a track dolly is so nice. but you could just buy some nice rubber swivel caster wheels from a hardware store and drill some holes in your platform with some mounting blocks the hole goes through on top of the platform.. and just stick the caster shafts in when your ready to go.

[JohnN]

The Skater Dolly does the Pan for you! You only need to provide a means of
tilting the camera. Watch ALL the Demos on the site, you will see what I mean.
I only found the site yesterday and was so impressed I have ordered some wheels and bearings today!!
I've been looking very closely at the Skater, it is more complex than it seems. Look at the length of the ARMS they are all different.

[235 Studios]

Check out these threads as some other members have come up with some GREAT ideas and plans - as well as some nice footage:

Skater Version 01:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=28328

Skater Version 02: (This design looks very promising) :thumbsup:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=34435

Skater Footage:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=33801