fig rig anyone?

[cheezweezl]

i have an idea on how to make a good diy fig rig. does anybody have one that could give me the specs? what diameter is the pipe itself and what diameter is the entire thing? i want it to be compatible with the same kind of attachments... i looked online for specs but no luck....

[Pettersen]

I've actually built a fig rig today. Easy as hell, if I may say so myself. I used an old steering wheel (for cars) and just modified it a little. I'm sure I can post some pics tomorrow.

EDIT: woops, I didn't really read your post properly, there. Huhu..

[MattinSTL]

How dare you try to coerce me into showing you a pic of my FigRig-Jig before I'm ready!

You are right when you say there 'aint much to it. I went into detail in the stabilizer thread... ANY shape frame surrounding your DVX with a mount at the center will accomplish the stabilizing function of the FigRig.

[cheezweezl]

so what is the correct pipe width to be compatible with normal fig rig type attachments?

[KingVidiot]

Try this project I posted last year.

R-click (ctrl-click on Mac) and download the PDF file...

http://www.geocities.com/kingvidiot83 (http://www.geocities.com/kingvidiot83/)/FigRigProject.pdf (http://www.geocities.com/kingvidiot83\FigRigProject.pdf)

It costs about $30 if you are resourceful.

[MattinSTL]

What's a normal FigRig attachment? Is it an array of tube-clamps with 3/8" threaded studs coming off? What ADDITIONAL thing do you need besides a shoe mount or a 3/8" threaded mount?

[slinks]

lol I guess no one has the specs of how wide the metal pipes are :P. I'll try to look for the specs as well. Cheezweezl how are you going to get the piping for this once u find the specs? are you going to go to someone that can bend metal?

[cheezweezl]

What's a normal FigRig attachment? Is it an array of tube-clamps with 3/8" threaded studs coming off? What ADDITIONAL thing do you need besides a shoe mount or a 3/8" threaded mount?

right......but how big is the tube?????

[cheezweezl]

lol I guess no one has the specs of how wide the metal pipes are :P. I'll try to look for the specs as well. Cheezweezl how are you going to get the piping for this once u find the specs? are you going to go to someone that can bend metal?

maybe, or i have a jig i can use to bend other stuff.....such as pvc.

[bc5431]

Forgive my ignorance (I seem to be asking this in alot of these DIY forums) but what exactly does this do? It seems just like a circle with a handle that holds your camera....how exactly does this stabilize the image? Or am I missing some key component of this whole thing?

[slinks]

nope thats it, its a circle that holds your camera. lol. Seriously though the deisgn is so simple it works. with a circular design you have many angles in to which to hold on to it so you can find position in which you are more comfortable with and plus since you are holding it with 2 hands you have more control. its not really meant to be known to be a "stablizer" but it will help you have more control which in the end also helps stablize your image. http://services.manfrotto.com/figrig/
click on Mike Figgis on the fig rig to watch a video with it in action.

[slinks]

Cheezweezl you know from looking at the attachments on the manfrotto site, I don't think you really need to have the diameter the same exact size. The attachments looks like they just clamp down or tighten onto anything circular. So, when people are using steeringwheels as figrigs they can sitll use the manfrotto attachments for it as well, i think.

[KingVidiot]

Cheezweezl you know from looking at the attachments on the manfrotto site, I don't think you really need to have the diameter the same exact size. The attachments looks like they just clamp down or tighten onto anything circular. So, when people are using steeringwheels as figrigs they can sitll use the manfrotto attachments for it as well, i think.

Exactly, that's why I mentioned it in my DIY pdf file. There are all kinds of attachments to get for the FigRig from their catalog.

[NM_film_maker]

Yikes! 300 bones for a wheel. I'm on the wrong side of the business.

[slinks]

kingvidiot, everytime i tried clicking on your link it wasn't working.

[MattinSTL]

How dare you try to coerce me into showing you a pic of my FigRig-Jig before I'm ready!

You are right when you say there 'aint much to it. I went into detail in the stabilizer thread... ANY shape frame surrounding your DVX with a mount at the center will accomplish the stabilizing function of the FigRig.


Okay so you don't think something like this would do the same thing? As best I can tell so far it does.

http://gettreel.com/figframe.jpg

[Pettersen]

I'm sorry I didn't have time to post pics today. I'll look into it tomorrow.

[KingVidiot]

kingvidiot, everytime i tried clicking on your link it wasn't working.

Sorry about that. My crappy Yahoo site has a bandwidth limit. Please try it again.

[slinks]

oh nm, it works. for some reason i had to copy paste it and not just click on it. funny.

hows that fig rig jig workin out Matt?

[MattinSTL]

Pretty good... so far it seems to do everything a figrig does and then some... eventually I want to have a figrig with a detachable merlin on it... I'm working on that right now.

This falls into the same category as the lights... I have a "grand scheme" for all of this... with various modular components that work on everything I'm making.

By the end of next week I'll have this thing fully tweaked... it's an absolute JOY to use... just like a figrig... but you'll be able to pick this up for peanuts.

I'd be done with it by now, but I got an idea for a basic gymbal and I gotta' explore that option first.

In designing your own DIY figrig the question isn't "how can I make my own figrig"... the question is "what does the figrig actually DO and what is needed to accomplish that function".

This simple frame setup feels great and accomplishes the same function. If I were to design a logo for it then it would be a circle seperated like a peace sign... with the three sections moving out via arrows around an imaginary center. That is what the figrig is for... pulling the center of gravity out to your hands and down... if a weight is used.

When you see and feel the final design I think you'll be surprised at how effective it is... I'll be sure to post some better footage by the end of next week.

[slinks]

sweet. But I'm not sure but i think I may prefer the circle design due to the face that you can grip it on top for low shots or grip it from the bottom to say shoot over a crowd. I guess its very rare that you would need those shots but it would be nice to have that option.

One thing I like about your figrigjig is that it seconds as a stabalizer with the added weight under it. kind of like how dan's book has it maybe?

[MattinSTL]

You can get just as low by grabbing the top bar (like you would on a FigRig (bottom pole is easily removed to use the frame alone)... and you can also use the pole like you would a monopod to get an even higher shot then a figrig. I'm not trying to sell you on the idea... but trust me I'm thinking of everything.

A thorough video clip (by next week) will say it all a lot better then I can here... this is another project I'm really excited about. I ordered 250 grips... so you know I have faith in this project too. If I keep the volume high enough then these can be under $50. That's the plan.

[slinks]

whoa whoa...250 crazzzy. lol. jeez do you sleep? :)

[MattinSTL]

It's not as many as it sounds... each unit will have a soft grip at each logical location... making the proper use of the rig obvious and comfortable... and more effective. That equals 5 or 6 soft, black grips per rig.

And to answer your question... unfortunately no.

I had an epiphany around New Year's as I was thinking about what I want to do with my life (financially)... and the one thing that's always been a problem for me is that I'll give anything to anybody. I'll spend days doing somebody a favor for free. There are some really funny stories about people who have taken advantage of me for this... but I'll spare you for now. The gist is that I can't stop thinking that way... I just want to DO things for people, but I want them to appreciate it... I want them to deserve it... and I want it to be SOMEHOW worth my time so I don't feel stupid afterward. This DIY type of stuff is the best I could come up with to make me happy as I try my best to help the people who share my interests... and need it most. Making a little something and feeling good about it is what's in it for me. I accept that it's in my nature to give everything away... and the people who get something from me aren't the same people who can just go out and buy a [fill in the blank]. Unless somebody can prove otherwise... it's win/win.

[Pettersen]

Here's mine. I'm quite sure it's not as good as Mattin's, though.

EDIT: oops, forgot the link. Here it is: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=436868#post436868

[AbracadabraFilms]

Build it out of PVC pipe for under $4.00 Works great!

http://http://www.abracadabravideos.com/DIY/DIYpage1.htm (http://www.abracadabravideos.com/DIY/DIYpage1.htm)

[slinks]

I'm gonna hev to try out that PVC rig, its only 5 bucks so why not lol.

[MattinSTL]

Yeah... pvc is a great resource!

Abra... how much does it weigh? Any chance you could scale that sucker?

[Lipster_Mansfield]

Just a general question about the fig rig idea... Is there an adjustment for where the camera is placed in the ring? or is it assumed that where panasonic has placed the hole for the tripod screw is where the camera is balanced? obviously excluding external attachments.

I think I might ask a cousin who has a tubing bender to bend me a wheel.

[MattinSTL]

In my experience the cam is always front heavy... even with an extended life battery the bottom stud seems like it could have been farther forward... which means that in most cases you'll want to move your cam back of center to balance it. As best I can tell you only need to move it back somewhere between .5"- 1.0"... so not a whole lot.

Set your DVX up like you plan to use it and then set it on a pencil (on your kitchen table)... see where it will balance on one of the pencil flats... however far that line is from the stud is how far back of center you want your DVX on your FigRig.

[johncharles]

Matt, How's your woody going? Looks and sounds great. I would also love to know just the approximate weight of the PVC rig.

[slinks]

Matt, How's your woody going? Looks and sounds great.


lol those words can be quite misleading. lol!

[SilverWolf]

LOL that's so true

[Unsomnambulist]

lol those words can be quite misleading. lol!

I know, dirty boys. This is what I was thinking:

http://www.nationalwoodieclub.com/chapters/socal/meguiars-merc.jpg

[MattinSTL]

Damn that's a nice lookin' woody you got there! Looks like you just waxed it!

It's coming... sorry for the delay guys... I've got too many irons in the fire right now... and I just got a shipment from UPS tonight so as soon as I get off line here I'm gonna' go out in the shop and try my hand at some mic handles... alla' the Remote Audio Grip! I couldn't believe that Sears didn't have a lousy 3/8" tap!

The woody is coming though... I'll post about it pretty soon. Just too many projects going. Actually at this time of year I'm just starting to make money again so the projects take a little longer then I'd like. All this side stuff... like the lights, cables, etc... none of it pays jack sh*t. I get tickled at how many people think I'm sitting on a gold mine and either want in on it or want to set me up with a company who can stock this stuff for me. I'm like, "what about zero profit don't you understand?"

On most of my projects that you see me offer for sale... I'm making about $10 per hour to do them. I'm ONLY doing it because I like this place and I think I've got some ideas that can help a few people just starting out.

[slinks]

oh you thought that woody? I thought you meant this woody.
http://www.moviestarsmovies.com/Images/WoodyAllen.jpg
ok ok ill stop now.

[faultygoblin]

hmm will need to make a trip to the junkyard or auto supply store soonish, I think the older wheels will work a bit better, any thoughts on the merits of using an old metal wheel or one of the newer plastics?
Im half tempted to pull the wheel of my Ghia... but that would be bad.. as far as affixing it to a tripod with the rig on are you just building a seperate mounting plate underneath?

[johncharles]

I don't think the Woody with the glasses is into PVC, is he?

Matt, thanks for the reply - not meaning to dream of putting pressure on, just eager to know.

[Kelly Olsen]

Matt,

I'm another deciple in the Church of Matt waiting for the fig rig second coming.

I don't know how you have time to eat or bathe. Well, we have proof you eat because you can still type which requires some caloric intake, but I guess we have no proof you bathe. Smello-Web hasn't been invented yet, but with all your ambition I wouldn't be surprised if it was on your to do list:)

[slinks]

church of matt? next thing u know we are gonna have another scientology type thing with matt as the founder. :P

[DammitJanet]

Amen.

[KingVidiot]

hmm will need to make a trip to the junkyard or auto supply store soonish, I think the older wheels will work a bit better, any thoughts on the merits of using an old metal wheel or one of the newer plastics?
Im half tempted to pull the wheel of my Ghia... but that would be bad.. as far as affixing it to a tripod with the rig on are you just building a seperate mounting plate underneath?

I say use an older metal one since they are cheap, light for their thickness, and offer a larger diameter for bigger cameras and atttachments.

See my project I posted last year if you missed the earlier post:

R-click (ctrl-click on Mac) and download the PDF file...

http://www.geocities.com/kingvidiot83 (http://www.geocities.com/kingvidiot83/)/FigRigProject.pdf (http://www.geocities.com/kingvidiot83/FigRigProject.pdf)

It costs about $30 if you are resourceful.
__________________

[MattinSTL]

I got to play with a real FigRig this week... and I was surprised how big and heavy it is. I'm 6' and about 205+/- and I'd say I'm a pretty big boy... and the FigRig felt awkward to me... too wide for sure... maybe not by a lot, but definitely a little too wide. I measured it and it's 19". The next time I see these guys I'm bringing my digital scale too... because I always thought it was feather light... it is definitely NOT. Didn't you think it was a carbon fiber hoop at that price? Nope. Aluminum.

I'm going to get back to my rigs as soon as a few parts get here... they were due last week. Same old story every time.

I've given away several "beta" models of mine locally... and one guy who has one called for some help on a shoot and said to bring another one with me... that is a good sign... but I don't have another one to bring. D'oh!

Soon... thanks everybody. Seeing and using a FigRig up close really stoked my fire... they gotta' get the weight down on that thing. While I realize that wood isn't nearly as appealing as more permanent materials... there's something to be said for cutting the weight nearly in half. In the last couple of weeks I've done some seriously aerobic run 'n gun and it's converted me to a disciple of the light. (weight that is)

[cheezweezl]

hmmmm..... i bought a real one and it is the most useful piece of camera support i own. i don't find it heavy or awkward at all. i love this thing!! it's almost as steady as my glidecam and way easier to use. i started this thread cuz i was going to make my own but the one i was making was looking really ghetto and felt cheesy. so i took the plunge. best $300 i've spent in a while. presentation value alone is worth the dough plus the quick release it comes with is solid and the same size as my 503 head so quick changes are easy..... fig rig rules!!!

[MattinSTL]

Hey would you mind throwing that baby on a scale?

[cinealma]

I'm working on a rig myself. Using gray PVC conduit to build it instead of regular white PVC because 45s and 90s are available in sweeps, so it will give it more of a "rounded" look. I was going to use 3/4", but 1/2" will be better so I can fit a pair of handlebar grips on it as well as some foam and some athletic tape for the rest to grab onto. I think I'll christen it the "SportyRig" :) .

Also, I'm going to add a built in zoom control, vari and 3-speed. Have all the parts. Building this weekend. I'll post pics when finished.

I picked up my new DVX100b at Abel Cine in Burbank this week and got a chance to try out the Fig Rig there. IMO, it's actually lighter than I thought it would be. The tripod connector on the bottom seems to add a lot of weight to it. Take that off, it easily weighs less than a pound. Still don't want to shell out another $300 for it. So, we'll see what I can do.

John G.

[OregonDank]

does anyone know how hot to get pvc before it bends but doesn't melt?? i'm thinking you could get pretty good results bending some pvc on a jig to get a nice lightweight ring....any thoughts?

[cheezweezl]

does anyone know how hot to get pvc before it bends but doesn't melt?? i'm thinking you could get pretty good results bending some pvc on a jig to get a nice lightweight ring....any thoughts?

that was my method. pvc will bend with not much heat. just use a plumber's torch and keep it moving. i was using an old drum (the musical kind) as my jig. you can find odd drums cheap on ebay or at your local music or pawn shops. just make sure you take the plastic shell off (if it has one) before torching. i was using a 16" tom. worked fine but the result was very diy looking so i bought a real figrig......

[cheezweezl]

Hey would you mind throwing that baby on a scale?

mine weighs in at 1.98 lbs. according to my food scale.

[OregonDank]

ok i just got back from wandering around Home Depot and i got about $30.00 worth of stuff that should get me pretty far on a sick DIY figrig...

i found some 1/2" pvc"type" tubing - its black plastic tubing that comes on like a 100' coil so its already bent into a nice circle - it was only $8.98 and they had 3/4" if you wanted to go for that...i didn't because i also got a pack of fiberglass cloth and a tin of all-purpose fiberglass resin made by Bondo (5.97 & 13.97 respectively)...i will use this to attempt to wrap the ring made from the black tubing...for a cross-bar i found a perfect sized piece of angle iron made from billet-aluminum stock ($4.27)...oh yea, the male-to male connector piece for the ring was $.28 too

i'm gonna go fly fishing and start making the sucker later tonite...i'll post some pics when i'm done if the finished product doesn't suck too bad

[matt s.]

oregon the fiberglass wrap and resin sounds like a good i dea. cant wait to see your final product!

[Cephalectomy]

I'm wondering, is there really any technical information needed to know when making a fig rig? I had my uncle bend somemetal for me to make a circle and welded a piece of metal going across the inside, is there anything i'm missing? Should I keep anything in mind? Thanks :)

[cinealma]

Cephalectomy:

Light, comfortable, balanced. Roomy enough for your camera with the LCD open. Also, you should be able to grip the ring even or below the camera so you don't have to raise your arms up any higher than you need too when "driving it". Beyond that, I guess it's builder's choice.

John G.

[Cephalectomy]

ok, i'm hoping what i have will work ok. This is a crappy picture but it's what i have. You can't see the detail in the crossing bar but it's basically a metal bar with a 90 angle, so it goes about about half what u see and the other half extends out to sit the camera on it. I just need the proper sized bolt to thread the camera on to it. It's basically some bended metal with hockey tape put round it for comfort. Feels good to hold on to, enough weight to be something but doesn't seem like too much.

http://www.cephalectomy.com/corey/filmstuff/rigged-figrig.jpg

[MattinSTL]

Your uncle bent an aluminum tube into a circle that perfect? Wow! Your uncle is amazing!

Why don't you have him start on a Merlin? I'm dead serious.

[Cephalectomy]

Haha, actually it's only half tubing, we put a hose on the inside to create the full circle for grip, seems to work fine though. Although, I wonder if I should probably made a plate to add to it as the metal landingmight not be quite wide enough, don't wanna put any strain that could possibly strip the threading on the dvx.

[MattinSTL]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/5566.jpg http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/241139.jpg

This is what's on the FigRig. The quick release plate on the left is a Manfrotto 3273. It's $39.95 from B&H including the sliding mounting plate. The one on the right is an Bogen (still Manfrotto) 577... for some reason it's $49.95. Even on the Manfrotto website they list the 577 as more. As best I can tell the mount is the very same for both... and the 577 just gives you a shorter plate.

I'm using the 3273 on my own rig. The mount has several holes ready to use for mounting. Pop one of these on your rig and your golden.

[cinealma]

Yep, I picked up a 3273 at Samy's in L.A. for $39.00. That's what I'm using on my rig. Pics soon.

Cephalectomy:

You should pick up some aluminum conduit at Home Depot for your uncle to bend for you. You can get 1/2" or 3/4" at about $5 for a 10' stick. A 5' piece will get you a 19" diameter on the rig (like the real Fig Rig).

John G.

[Cephalectomy]

sweet, i'll have to get one of those plates, thanks! :)

[matt s.]

does anyone know the measurement from the bottom of the wheel to the top of the cross member?

is the original 3/4" tubing or 1/2" ?

[MattinSTL]

It looked like 3/4" tubing to me... it is CERTAINLY not 1/2"... it may be bigger then 3/4", but that's close. The hoop is 19" in diameter.

I will try to get exact weights and measures the next time I use it... but honestly I thought it was too big and a tad heavy. If it's 2 lbs I guess that's not bad... it felt heavier then that to me when I held it... maybe it was all the clamps and stuff on the one I was playing with?

I think 18" diameter would be a lot more comfortable... but maybe that's just me.

[matt s.]

thanks matt. yeah i was thinking of dropping the diameter to 17"-18"
as well.

[OregonDank]

just got done with mine...its suuuper sick...way better than using a steering wheel...i ended up not using the fiberglass becuase it was a messy pain in the ass...just wrapped the pvc up in some handlebar grip for a mt. bike, threw some conduit clamps on there, drilled up the angle iron and slapped the QR plate on there - and she's done!

ultra lightweight but still stable as hell...there is a little play in the pvc if you flex it, but nothing so significant that it would affect a shot...this thing is sweet...best DIY one i've seen yet

i will post some pics late tonite or maybe tomorrow (my roommate has a canon 20D so i'll get him to take some pics of it)

i'm tellin ya...screw a heavy metal steering wheel - go pvc!!

[slinks]

ha yea I've had my PVC parts for my rig but have been kinda lazy to put it together...I'll probably do it tonight or tom. I just finished the basics of my 2x2 track dolly, adding a brake system to my skatedolly, and putting together a flouro ring light . I still dont know how I am going to mount the ring light though. I would like to put the ballast in a plastic enclosure with an on/off switch that can be mounted onto the hotshoe of my dvx.

garrr im goin off topic...just went ramblin.

[matt s.]

anyone know of a lightweight steel tubing? i know its ideal to use aluminum but i dont know anyone that can weld aluminum.

[troop9242]

i went with the pvc version of the fig rig - bent the upper part in a circle and put some feet on it , so it could stand instead of having to be hung. Painted it flat black and wrapped the sides with bicycle wrap. Voila, got me a fig rig. cheep!!!

[KingVidiot]

just got done with mine...its suuuper sick...way better than using a steering wheel...i ended up not using the fiberglass becuase it was a messy pain in the ass...just wrapped the pvc up in some handlebar grip for a mt. bike, threw some conduit clamps on there, drilled up the angle iron and slapped the QR plate on there - and she's done!

ultra lightweight but still stable as hell...there is a little play in the pvc if you flex it, but nothing so significant that it would affect a shot...this thing is sweet...best DIY one i've seen yet

i will post some pics late tonite or maybe tomorrow (my roommate has a canon 20D so i'll get him to take some pics of it)

i'm tellin ya...screw a heavy metal steering wheel - go pvc!!

Dude, where are the pics? I like my heavier sturdy version, but then again my overall setup is heavier and might flex too much with PVC.

However, I might want to make another one just for kicks. I want to see your steps.

[TeamJoeDawn]

anyone know of a lightweight steel tubing? i know its ideal to use aluminum but i dont know anyone that can weld aluminum.

Im not sure about welding aluminum.. but there is a whole bunch of products out there that allow you to "braze" aluminum at a temp pretty low, something you can get off of a little $15 handheld propane torch..

Try a few of these,.. or simply google for "aluminum repair"

http://durafix.com/
http://www.aluminumrepair.com/

or even buy a sample down at Home Depot (found it in the tools corral, next to the welding stuff).. a few sticks in a plastic envelope.. and has pretty low melting point (read the packaging and make sure your torch goes that high)

I can't vouch for the tensile strenght, but it looks to be pretty stout stuff, may be a good answer for us light weight "do-it-yourself'ers"



Joseph
www.lchaimvideo.com

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

Im not sure about welding aluminum.. but there is a whole bunch of products out there that allow you to "braze" aluminum at a temp pretty low, something you can get off of a little $15 handheld propane torch..

Try a few of these,.. or simply google for "aluminum repair"

http://durafix.com/
http://www.aluminumrepair.com/

or even buy a sample down at Home Depot (found it in the tools corral, next to the welding stuff).. a few sticks in a plastic envelope.. and has pretty low melting point (read the packaging and make sure your torch goes that high)

I can't vouch for the tensile strenght, but it looks to be pretty stout stuff, may be a good answer for us light weight "do-it-yourself'ers"



Joseph
www.lchaimvideo.com


Thanks for those links. Have been looking into a TIG welder but they are so damn expensive. I am going to try some of this in a few weeks, after I finish filming my HeroFest entry.

:thumbsup:

[matt s.]

yeah i too was gonna try some alumalloy but seeing that you could only order in bulk i havent bought any. not knowing if it would work or not. im going to have to go look for those sample packs. thanks!

[TeamJoeDawn]

yeah i too was gonna try some alumalloy but seeing that you could only order in bulk i havent bought any. not knowing if it would work or not. im going to have to go look for those sample packs. thanks!

I know, I am also trying to find the time to do some testing.. I believe, though, that with this, some of the aluminum "L", bar or "T" stock from the local store.. and a good way to cut right-angle and 45 degree cuts (a mitered cuttoff saw, if you have a garage shop..), then you could lay out just about anything you needed to do in framework.

The demo of the low-melting-point sticks I saw at (funny enough) a gunshow was pretty incredible. He punched a nickel sized hole in the bottom of an empty aluminum can, and filled it in very quickly with the stick and a torch... then, taking a screwdriver, he tried to drive the plug through the hole, and only succeeded in compressing the bottom of the can.

Worth a try, as a basis for "from scratch" construction... should be stronger than PVC, and much lighter than aluminum.

Joseph
www.lchaimvideo.com