Dolly wheel pros and cons

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DeadEyesSmiling

Well-known member
Yo,

I'm putting together a list for a dolly I'll be making this weekend and have a question pertaining to the wheels in relation to budget...

I've found some rollerskate wheels that are 62mm, 96a with Abec3 bearings for 9 bucks per set of 8. I was thinking about getting 4 sets for a 32 wheel configuration for the dolly (that's only 36 bucks plus shipping)

I know the durometer isn't the greatest, but was wondering if it would be better to have more wheels at a higher durometer, or a smaller amount of softer wheels...

I'm building a double 3/4" plywood 24x48 dolly, so it should be pretty heavy, just not sure if I should take the deal on the harder wheels, or spend double for half the wheels of a softer durometer. Thanks so much for your advice!

-DES
 
I don't have a dolly, but from my research, it seems if the wheels are really hard they will creek and crack when they run over the track and if there are any imperfections on it (like sand or debri) they will show on your shoot. why not go with less softer wheels and leave the holes ready for the other 16 wheels when you can afford them?
 
Someone, I don't remember who, posted a link to this site: http://www.skates.com/Cheap-Roller-Skate-Wheels-s/119872.htm and that's where they are.

siniarch said:
I don't have a dolly, but from my research, it seems if the wheels are really hard they will creek and crack when they run over the track and if there are any imperfections on it (like sand or debri) they will show on your shoot. why not go with less softer wheels and leave the holes ready for the other 16 wheels when you can afford them?
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That's not a bad idea! The only thing I would worry about would the weight dispersal between 4 wheels really spaced out in a staggard configuration on each corner vs the complete 8 wheels. I know dollys have been made and have worked with only 4 wheels per corner, but they usually aren't spaced with enough room for 4 more wheels. Does that make sense, or am I being paranoid?

-DES
 
check this out. 16wheels should handle up to 250lbs. if you think of your 32wheel setup, just remove the 4 wheels closest to the 2' edge of the dolly on both sides. that should do it.
 
siniarch said:
check this out. 16wheels should handle up to 250lbs. if you think of your 32wheel setup, just remove the 4 wheels closest to the 2' edge of the dolly on both sides. that should do it.
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Man, I wish I wasn't a moron. Thanks for your advice in this! I should be building this weekend, so I'll be sure and post pics and video when all is said and done!

-DES
 
I guess while I'm here... should I be looking at getting some spacers for in between the trucks and the wheels? I've looked at as many tutorials as I can find and very few focus on this. One tutorial said to use a nut, but if I'm buying, .50cents a spacer isn't much more. Thanks again.

-DES
 
few things... i highly recommend abec 5 or better bearings and wheels of less than 55mm. i also recommend making your dolly 28" wide. that way it still fits through doors and has maximum deck space. here are some pics of the wheel sets i made. there are four on each cornerand is more than capable of supporting me, tripod, dvx with a lot of extras, a monitor and a seat... as well as a sandbag. thats my two cents.
 

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i forgot to state... the wheel set was $100 bucks for 4 sets of wheels, 4 sets of abec 5 bearings, install of the bearings and tax. i was on a cheap wheel dolly once and i promised myself i would never use cheap wheels on my own dolly. notice how my 54mm wheels are almost too big, they would touch the bottom of the deck if they were much bigger.
 
slickrizzo@mac.com said:
i forgot to state... the wheel set was $100 bucks for 4 sets of wheels, 4 sets of abec 5 bearings, install of the bearings and tax. i was on a cheap wheel dolly once and i promised myself i would never use cheap wheels on my own dolly. notice how my 54mm wheels are almost too big, they would touch the bottom of the deck if they were much bigger.
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Nice looking trucks, man! What's the durometer for your wheels, and what did you use to space the wheels out from the trucks, are those small washers?

-DES
 
The first poster is using WAY to hard of a wheel. 96 rated hardness is for speed, not shock absorbtion.

The ones I posted are rated 75a and are for cruising. Those 96's are for speeeed.
 
Sorry to post so much, (I can't edit the others),

I was curious where I can buy the angled metal which the wheels go on. The people at my local lowes do not seem to be able to comprehend what I am telling them....

ty in advance
 
The angle iron is in the section where the aluminum tubing and plate steel is sold.

I dont know how far you are into your dolly build, but you should definitely check out dvcamerarigs.com for diy gear. I just built the dolly (super easy to build and cheaper to build) 10 sandbags, and am working on a crane....it's worth a looksee.......
 
By the way I use 72mm 82a inline wheels with abec 7's from target...very smooth, but a different design than the angle iron one......
 
you can get that angle metal at www.McMaster.com just look for aluminum "L" shaped angle. I also have been having trouble updating my posts. I think if you click on modify and then click on advance, it lets you modify it. otherwise it doesn't.
hi Fenigirl, how about some pictures of your setup? Thanks.
 
You know.....as far as I have gotten with all the equipment I have obtained, the one thing I dont have is a........digital camera, he,he......also I dont know how right it would be of me to post pics of his stuff, seeing as how they are his designs and he is trying to sell them.....if I show pics of his design, then no need to buy the book, right? But the book is definitely worth the money........
Thanks.
 
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