my attempt to build a Follow Focus

I remember seeing a picture of a KNEX FF on the boards here. That might save a lot of time. =) Seriously though, great work taking the initiative to DIY a follow focus. Best of luck with it.
 
finding the rest of the parts is the hard part now. WHile it helps that I've already built a fully functional follow focus, there are some differences in the sizes of the reels used, so a few small things change.

Hope you guys ordered the Pitch 32 gear and the disc from McMaster. i have to look at the correct size for the knob and then I can tell you which one to use.

Tutorial continues on Monday when I've got the rest of my new parts in.
 
For the gearbox I posted images of in the last page, click here

I hope that helps. It is true that you need to register, and that you're supposed to be a company, but just make one up. Postage shouldn't be too exhorbitant to USA I hope.

All the best
Lucas
 
Hey Lucas and every fellow DIY FF builders,

thanks for the link to the RS website for that gearbox. I have been DRROOOLIING over that part for weeks. I've tried ordering from them but unfortunately when you get to the "ship to" country, United States is not listed.

So with persistence, deligence, and "I'm not going to take NO for an answer" attitude, I found a US distributor. I just got off the phone with a company in NY, Freeport area, that can import these gearboxes to the US. That company is:

http://www.rinomechanical.com/gearbox_miniature.htm

at the top of the link you'll see the gearbox in all it's glory. I spoke to a person on the phone and they are able to get them (from the UK). Prices are
$45 steel gears- part # 314.31.2 made by RINO
$29 plastic gears- part# 315.31.3 made by RINO

The steel gears are in stock at his store, but I opted for the plastic ones. So I'm out here in Hawaii and can't get an answer if stock availability from UK. I guess it's time to go to the beach, catch a few tasty waves and enjoy the weekend...

Let me know if anyone finds another source.

This one source in the US looks promosing. Keeping my fingers and legs crossed though..

Aloha from Hawaii
 
Hey PUCK,

No offense though for my post about the gearbox...

I am still going to pursue building one of these in case the source fails. So PLEASE continue on with the fishing reel FF tutorial
 
Okay got the reel all stripped out, just have to flatten the side and drill the hole for the bolt. Also still need to order the gear.
 
Lucas Adamson said:
For the gearbox I posted images of in the last page, click here

I hope that helps. It is true that you need to register, and that you're supposed to be a company, but just make one up. Postage shouldn't be too exhorbitant to USA I hope.

All the best
Lucas
Click to expand...

Yeah I tried them before. After jumping through the hoops of finding someone who could get me info on shipping to the US I found out they were going to charge me £17 for the gearbox and another £20-£30 to ship to the US. Sorry but 40-80 US dollars to ship an item that maybe weighs 2 pounds packaged seems like an excuse to not have to bother with shipping small quantites over seas.

Thanks for the info though. I know you're just trying to be helpful. Just wish that place would ship here for a decent price.
 
TiE_Shepherd said:
Yeah I tried them before. After jumping through the hoops of finding someone who could get me info on shipping to the US I found out they were going to charge me £17 for the gearbox and another £20-£30 to ship to the US. Sorry but 40-80 US dollars to ship an item that maybe weighs 2 pounds packaged seems like an excuse to not have to bother with shipping small quantites over seas.

Thanks for the info though. I know you're just trying to be helpful. Just wish that place would ship here for a decent price.
Click to expand...

Tell me about it. I just ordered a $15 lightweight plastic gear from the US, and the only postal option was UPS expedited (charged at published rates) but I couldn't find those rates anywhere. It turned out to be $75 for what is essentially a tiny envelope. I had to wait for the receipt to find out how much I'd been charged. :shocked:
:kali: UPS

Lux
 
Yeah I like ordering stuff online, but I'm always worried with the places that do the shipping when the item is ready to be shipped out. I'm always dreading their gonna say shipping is some huge fee. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the gears from? Are they for a follow focus?
 
hey guys, just got back from a VERY long weekend shoot. my additional parts should arrvie today so the tutorial will continue this evening.

No offense about the parts. If we can get affordable gear boxes, then the cheaper the better. It looks more "pro" in the end and that's the look we're going for.

What I'm going to do with this tutorial is show that we CAN build our own with commonly available parts... or with more pro parts. The steps for creating the follow focus are the same after this point. I just can't tell you measurements or what other parts can be used for the gear boxes, so there's going to be a little more experimentation on your part to make certain things work.

So get your parts in and get ready to build. I'll list the workable parts once the mail gets here and I've confirmed that they fit and work.

Right now my main concern is the nuts and bolts... I want to limit the use of JB Weld on this build, but there are some parts where we might not be able to avoid that.
 
remember that artists palette I was talking about as the alternated from odering the 3" disc from McMaster-Carr?

$1.39 from craftsetc.com. I got mine from Hobby Lobby.

218172.jpg


http://www.craftsetc.com/store/item.aspx?ItemId=58930&dep=10&cat=45&subcat=10&Search=Y

it works perfectly with dry erase markers on both sides. THis palette was made for acyrlic paints and it's pretty thick, so should hold up well to any abuse. I'm going to cut out a 2" circle and a 3" circle so I can have mounting options, then a trip to Home Depot for the nuts and knob is in store.

No, I haven't made it to McMaster Carr. that trip is planned for tomorrow. but the rest of the stuff I ordered is on it's way.
 
okay, I just did a little experimentation prior to taking photos, just so I can guide this tutorial properly.

There was a black reel that held the nylon. I hope you guys kept that, because I discovered that it makes a great knob, with no JB Weld or melting of plastic involved. The threaded rod (?) for the knob seems to be in metric and I happened to have a nut from Ikea that fit perfectly.

I'll have to check at Home Depot now to see if they have anything compatible.

I cut out a 2.5" disc from the acrylic palette and it works great. For those who want a wider white disc, go for the 3". In fact, for $1.39 you can cut out as many discs as you can out of the acylic palette.

Pictures to come when I return...
 
I dropped my camera earlier this week, so I've been a little distracted with trying to get it fixed. Sorry about my absense.

I've got the rest of the parts for the FFF and took pictures of both versions: the 2.5" and the 3" disc.

Do you still have the nylon reel thing from the fishing reel? it really does make a good knob if mounted properly. I'll uiplod the pictures and finish the tutorial later today.
 
Okay I thought for sure I threw that reel thing away when I gutted the reel, but just found it. Glad I was lazy and didn't pitch it in the trash.
 
digital cam is on the fritz. something is wrong with the card and my card reader keeps erroring out after each image. trying to find a USB cbale to hook directly into the cam, so bear with me guys. pics are coming as soon as i can get this sucker hooked up.
 
Dude, that sucks. I hope you get the d.camera up and running without having to pay for a repair.

I have been inspired to go back to my original design while waiting to pick up a new fishing reel. I managed to secure the entire piece very securely to the rails - a huge boon - this means I won't have the play I was fighting against. Thanks for the inspiration.

Ages ago, I built my own sliding mechanism (like the one you bought from the camera store). I would like to get a ready-made one - if you know a source, keep me posted - but in the interim it works well.

I wanted to ask you as well - I have been keeping my gears in a closed unit. I did this to keep the dirt out as well as secure the entire piece a little more strongly. Do you find any difficulties with it being wide open?
 
oh i guess i was a little vague: it was the DVX I dropped. Now it's getting a total drum replacement. ugh.

Anyway, with the unit being open, that has always been a source of concern for me, but I've managed to keep it well maintained and as clean as possible. I'm considering building a box for it so it at least has a semi-pro look, but never got around to it.

You got any pics of your old unit David? I'd like to see how you built your sliding rail. As for sources,, I;ve been looking on ebay and other sites, but they never seem to have just the one piece. It's always available as a part of something else.

this is the closest one i've found so far for $8.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/93392-REG/General_Brand_VA322_Straight_Flash_Bracket.html
 
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