Yet another home-made dolly...

[Kyle Stebbins]

Just wanted to share some photos of a dolly that I just finished building...

The elastic straps are to hold the tripod into it's grooves. I routed three small holes into six different spots on the dolly. One set was for when the tripod had two leg-lengths extended and the other set was for when it had only one leg-length extended (for lower shots). The boards are all securely screwed together. The only addition I will be making to the dolly will be adding two more sets of wheels to each corner of the bigger bar (the one with the two pairs of wheels already.) -- In other words, I want each corner of the dolly to have a total of four wheels. It will just be more secure that way.

I definitely want to paint it and give it a name (paint that on the dolly, too!) -- Any ideas for names!?
Also, I would be more than happy to explain to someone how I went about building this if they're interested. It was a sinch. -- It's smooth as glass and sturdy as a brick wall. It's also very light!!
-kyle

 

[Park Edwards]

Any footy?

 

[Kyle Stebbins]

No, I actually just sold my DVX. I have no way of shooting with the cam on the tripod, it's only there to demo with the dolly. The HVX will be arriving soon.

I DO have a cheap mini-dv cam that I can throw on the dolly if anyone is curious. Count on that for tomorrow!!
-kyle

 

[ChainSmoker]

I like the way you used nylon spacers on the wheels. Very cool idea.

 

[j]

Dude, are those right angle wheel brackets made of wood??

 

[ChainSmoker]

It does look like it is some kind of corner moulding doesn't it?

 

[dlang]

it is wood??? angle iron is cheap and will last a heck of lot longer.

 

[Kyle Stebbins]

I own large pieces of angle iron that I used on a previous dolly, however, I don't have the means to cut them. I searched all over for smaller pieces of angle iron but couldn't find anything I could use. So, I just purchased a thick piece of corner trim. It's sturdy. Very sturdy. Works for me, anyways. Wood is easy to cut.

If anything busts I'll rebuild with angle iron, but we'll wait until then =)
-kyle

 

[j]

> I don't have the means to cut them.

Oh yeah you do!

 

[Kyle Stebbins]

... you can cut metal with that? -- i'm not a very handy guy, but i'm pretty determined when it comes to things i love.

is that a special type of saw?
-kyle

 

[j]

Yeah, it's an "ow my arm hurts" saw. At least thats what I call it...

 

[jmc]

Kyle, it's a hacksaw. Very common for cutting metal. It is pretty noisy, imo, and if you are cutting thicker metal, you should use a drop of oil in the cut to help the blade slide easier.

 

[NOMADIC]

nice and simple...but becomes tricky for pulling focus if needed. :]

 

[ChainSmoker]

A hacksaw used to pull focus??? I must of missed something somewhere.

 

[bherr]

It's a hacksaw, and yes, it's for cutting metal. It takes some elbow grease, but it works.

 

[TeamJoeDawn]

It's a hacksaw, and yes, it's for cutting metal. It takes some elbow grease, but it works.

If you are anywhere near a HARBOR FREIGHT store, you can pick up a cut-off saw dang cheap there,.. don't remember the price, but it was money!

Here is one for less than $20, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42307

I love that store.. its mostly cheap chinese variants, but they work if you aren't a contractor building 200 houses a year. When talking to my wife, I call it "Home-Cheapo".



J

 

[Kyle Stebbins]

niiiiice. i love how the hack-saw is getting confused with a follow focus. lol!

we had our first shoot with the dolly today! it worked beautifully! even withstood the pressure of a 6 ft. crane mounted to the tripod along with the HVX. i'm very happy with it. it's gonna last a long time.

also, the M2 comes monday! thanks for the help with the saw, guys. home-cheapo sounds great.
-kyle