Killer Camera Rigs

[Amerikan123]

Hey, i just bought Killer Camera Rigs That You Can Build and i was looking through the book and the majority of the stuff i cant do myself for lack of powertools but i ran across an old technology teacher from my middleschool days and he has agreed to help me out. I was wondering whats the easiest rig to start with in the book? I eventually want to have built every rig in the book (excluding the baloon one, thats too dangerous for me) but im curious whats easiest. Pleas if anyone here has any pictures of their rigs that theyve built from the designs in this book please post them up so i can see precisely how they came out. Thanks so much everyone.

P.S. if anyone on the forum lives in the Tampa, FL area and can help me out with this stuff in any way please let me know.

[JasonFox]

I've done the dolly and the easy crane (Killer's Kiss? The one out of plumbing pipes). But you don't need much help on those. I'd do the handheld stabilizer and monster crane (the last one in the book) if I had someone to help me out with tools. :)

[Sinsemilla]

I did the the Handheld Stabilizer (Shock Corridor Stabilizer) and it took me about a weekend to do - but only cause I had never worked with power tools before and couldn't find all the parts! It's well worth it I think to invest in a decent power drill, and also that drill guide (you can find it at Sears). For my aluminum, I looked up OnlineMetals.com where they'll cut you up pretty much any size/shape metal you need for a fair price. For all the other parts, usually the local hardware shop is good (like Ace Hardware, NOT Home Depot, etc.).

Don't hesitate to email the author Dan Selakovich (hope I spelled that right). He's really quick to respond and gave me good suggestions on how I could use different parts if there was something I couldn't find. For example, I couldn't find those plastic plugs for the stabilizer anywhere in town, but he should me how I could modify it using washers instead.

I showed off my homebuilt Stabilizer to a pretty experienced Steadicam Op who works with a high-end rigs costing thousands of dollars and he was pretty dam impressed. In fact, he asked me to build him one too.

My next project will be the Big Carnival Crane! (Modified to be adjustable to 5, 8, 12, and 16 feet ;)

[JasonFox]

Sinsemilla- thanks for the tip on OnlineMetals.com. And let us know how building that carnival crane goes.

[Sinsemilla]

Hey Jason...how smooth is the Killer's Kiss Crane (plumbing pipe one)? Does it squeak? Is it hard to move from location to location? Does it hold up, or does it collapse too easily? Is it too heavy? All in all does it work nicely?

Also, for the regular dolly, did you stick with the original wheel design where it can roll on the ground, or did you go with angled wheels?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just curious before I go out and try.

[TeamJoeDawn]

Don't hesitate to email the author Dan Selakovich (hope I spelled that right). He's really quick to respond and gave me good suggestions on how I could use different parts if there was something I couldn't find. For example, I couldn't find those plastic plugs for the stabilizer anywhere in town, but he should me how I could modify it using washers instead.

I definitely agree.. I've had email exchanges off and on with Dan since I bought the book, and just that kind of commitment from him makes me want to buy anything else he writes.

As mentioned, he will help if you can't find certain parts (all the way down to offering to pick me up some the next supply run he would do and mail to me, if needed [I didn't take him up on it, I would have felt VERY lame], but nonetheless, he offered.. and that really impressed me.

Also, as mentioned, he will suggest workarounds and improvisations if you can't find a few things.

I've got my parts and am working on the shock corridor stabilizer (think its gonna be great!) and am going to make a dolly as soon as I settle on the plans... I will take his and modify some with some ideas from this forum.

Keep in mind, Dan didn't make this stuff with a fully staffed machine shop, he made most of it is his apartment with limited powertools... you can do this too, you don't need a blue-collar certificate in fabricating to do it.

Give it a try!!


J

[Sinsemilla]

And let us know how building that carnival crane goes.

To tell you the truth, looking at the recent Kessler review has got me wondering if I should just buy one, or still go ahead and try making one...

CHOICE #1
Kessler Crane - $429
(5.5 feet long - Manual tilt head)
Tooless package - $59
Fluid Swivel - $199
Crane support tripod - $599
8 feet adapter - $109
12 feet adapter - $199

GRAND TOTAL OF AROUND $1600 for the Kessler.

CHOICE #2
Homemade Ghetto Crane - $150
(ADJUSTABLE FROM 4, 8, 12, AND 16 FEET - Manual Tilt head - Tooless design)
Surveyor's tripod and alum to butch it up - $75
Homemade Spreader for above - $25

GRAND TOTAL OF AROUND $250 for the Homemade.

Saving $1350 over the Kessler (buying Killer Rigs book) - Priceless


...yea, I think I'll just go ahead and try my luck building one...but the Kessler sure does look good tho.

[Amerikan123]

thanks for your feedback everyone, any pictures of your creations?

[Bvll!tt]

I received the book last year as a gift and have only had the chance to build one thing out of it and that has been the camera car mount. It took me about 3 nights to finally complete it. I have'nt been able to shoot any footage with it yet but it sticks to the hood of my Jeep pretty well.