DIY igus (style) home depot slider

[wgzn]

for about $3 more and a couple router passes i can integrate the keel thing.

[ZazaCast]

for about $3 more and a couple router passes i can integrate the keel thing.

I'd do that...hate read about your camera taking a crash!

[wgzn]

shooting with it all day, i never had a problem taking the camera +carriage off and setting it on the ground. but it WAS a pain to have to do it every time i moved the rig.
if it doubled the material cost, id say just deal. but for just a few bucks more? would be kinda dumb not to. ; )

[drapeama]

simplicity and ingenuity at its finest.

I agree!

QUESTION: on the subject of the sled being completely separate from the rails...
does the fact that the sled is completely not connected to the rails make this a deal breaker for anyone?

Not for me, as my design isn't connected to the rails: the top bearing rolls on them while the side bearings keeps it along the rails. But you simply pull the "sled" to remove it from the rails. Of course, the rails are adjusted in consequence to make the whole thing "tight" enough, so it rolls without problems, but it's not too loose at the same time.
But no, it's not for me. I mean, when you know it, you don't let the camera on it if you're not operating it!

[wgzn]

decided to forego the keel concept in the interest of size+simplicity.
if someone is going to be that careless with their camera. they'll have bigger issues than this ; )

this is pretty close to how the final device will look. but im going to add 1/4" extended vertical base to the pryamid shapes and rout a groove in the base that same depth to accept it. so it will be the same overall profile as this, just be a bit more rigid - not that it needs it. this baby is STIFF!

and i got rid of the bolts in favor of just gluing the aluminum to the foundation...

base.jpg

[wgzn]

progressed the design and put it up on kickstarter:

drivingboardmark2.jpg

(click the logo above to go to the kickstarter page)

workingmodel.jpg

[wgzn]

just added a $20 "parts list and plans" and a $100 "bones" (ready to assemble parts) reward levels for the DIY-ers out there...