PLYWOOD SKATER Finished

I just read this whole thread - Thanks a bunch for the inspiration, Ted. And kudos to all who have built their own - I'm gonna get started on one this weekend.

One note - during my internship I helped on a food commercial that used a skater - they didn't use a tripod mount at all. They used a corn bag. I just realized that my wife has one - it's a thing you can get at WalMart in the health section. They put a big DigiBeta cam on it, and it looked awesome.
 
mjmcneese2 said:
I just read this whole thread - Thanks a bunch for the inspiration, Ted. And kudos to all who have built their own - I'm gonna get started on one this weekend.

One note - during my internship I helped on a food commercial that used a skater - they didn't use a tripod mount at all. They used a corn bag. I just realized that my wife has one - it's a thing you can get at WalMart in the health section. They put a big DigiBeta cam on it, and it looked awesome.
Click to expand...

is "cornbag" the official name for it? is it similar to the cine-saddle? i have a diy skater and a mushy bag would be a great addition.
 
I just came across one of those ice pack bag things where you shake it and it gets cold, that might work... it was around 20cmx15cm...

Then again, u could probably just sew something up and fill it with water
 
but how about some of those tilted shots aiming down? i dont think you can do that with a bad of beans, foam, corn or whatevers....or can you?
 
I call it a cornbag, but who knows. The reason they used the cornbag instead of something else was because it has a soft flannel exterior that the camera gripped onto well.
 
If you check out the videos from the professional site selling these (the link was in this thread, in one of the earlier pages, not sure which) and watch the "SteadyBag" movie, you will see that they sell basically the same thing, to be used on shots with a dutch/canted angle. Based on absolutely nothing, I would recommend a bag filled with buckwheat, the pellets are small and maintains a shape really well. You could get a sheet of rough rubber and cut out a pad that is the same shape as your bag and sew it on top to increase grip. Just be sure to sew the center to the bag as well, not just a square around the outside. Perhaps a spiral of stitches, starting the center and moving outwards would work best. The smaller the stitches, the better. (Wow, never thought that DVXUser.com would have any mention of SEWING!).

For the people who wanted the camera higher up, but were getting wobble because it raised the center of gravity, why not get some weights and mount them on the wheel holders? Since they are directly above the points-of-contact with the ground and the wood is thickest there, there shouldn't be too much of a risk of breaking the plywood, and if you put equal weight on all three wheels, it should still run smooth - you might want to be sure to keep the bearing well lubricated, though, just in cast.
 
If you check out the videos from the professional site selling these (the link was in this thread, in one of the earlier pages, not sure which) and watch the "SteadyBag" movie, you will see that they sell basically the same thing, to be used on shots with a dutch/canted angle. Based on absolutely nothing, I would recommend a bag filled with buckwheat, the pellets are small and maintains a shape really well. You could get a sheet of rough rubber and cut out a pad that is the same shape as your bag and sew it on top to increase grip. Just be sure to sew the center to the bag as well, not just a square around the outside. Perhaps a spiral of stitches, starting the center and moving outwards would work best. The smaller the stitches, the better. (Wow, never thought that DVXUser.com would have any mention of SEWING!).

For the people who wanted the camera higher up, but were getting wobble because it raised the center of gravity, why not get some weights and mount them on the wheel holders? Since they are directly above the points-of-contact with the ground and the wood is thickest there, there shouldn't be too much of a risk of breaking the plywood, and if you put equal weight on all three wheels, it should still run smooth - you might want to be sure to keep the bearing well lubricated, though, just in cast.
 
Anyone interested in selling one of these or building one for me? I just don't have access to a work space or I'd try making one myself. Damn apartments...

PM me and we can discuss a price. Thanks.
 
aluminium skater

aluminium skater

Hi guys,

plans are not ready in detail yet, but I want to build my skater from aluminium, too. Here are my first 3d pics. What do you think? I am allready talking with a locksmith to do this.

:thumbup: teddybear, thank you for all the inspiration.
 

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it looked good. maybe a bit too long and wide. how are the wheels connected. i'm almost finished mine in wood, and it's far from perfect. how much does the locksmith want?
 
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Hi DVXDIVA,

Just a thought but I would look at covering the wheels a bit more in your design. The less wheel surface space exposed the better, I think. As I said just my 2c's worth.

Let me know how you get on with the manufacturing side. I have a very good friend who runs the milling workshop in a university and some of his ally work has been pretty trick, his guys would eat this for lunch I'm sure and maybe offer some ideas on bettering the design.

All the best and good luck with the plans

Rich

www.steadicams.com
 
aluminium skater 2

aluminium skater 2

just got the wheels for my aluminium skater. they are only 64mm - therefore it looks a bit "too long and wide", joakim. i want to build the dolly a little bit smaller than the original p&s one because i only use a "small" dvx and no arri. so i need less space for curved tracks.

ok - not original size means i cannot use the rotation calculator from p&s. but it was not that difficult to make an own one (call it magic - or just trigonometry).

i think it is very important to build the dolly as low as possible. one effect of this is seeing so much "wheel surface". what is so bad about it, steadycamsteel? my wheels are 8mm smaller than the original ones. i do not want to cover more than necessary. and i need some handle to turn them (i like my slim design!).

the wheels are very simple connected (no bearings), just like the plywood construction. i want to keep the whole design very, very basic. but i have no idea about the rocker/camera mounting. the p&s skater design is so genius and perfect - not easy too copy the cheap way. any suggestion? until now i am planning to use a tripod head.

the locksmith is inspired about my dolly project an he wants to improve some details. he will do this as "after work" job, so i get it some cheaper. we are just talking and planing. he cannot tell me a final price yet. but if i want it with black surfaced aluminium and engraved scales it will cost some hundred euros.

ok - i want a professional tool like the p&s skater - but a lot of cheaper. the plywood design is nice but i do not trust in wood. so far i know: an aluminium dolly will not be a cheap one - but i am going to build it!!
 
Wow! What a great and practical DIY job. Anyone have any idea how to make those height adjusters to go along with the Skater Dolly? I am gonna make one these skaters no doubt!

Thanks for sharing!

Rick
 
Hi DVXDIVA,

The only reason I mentioned less exposure for the wheel surface means the less exposed the less it's likely to get bumped or touched during a move, thats why I thought I'd mention it (no other reason whatsoever) and how is the build coming along? How many are you making? if its more than one put me on the list, that 3D representation looked trick.

Good Luck

Rich
 
I am building my first DiY Plywood skater. There are still two points in concern. The camera mount (as well it is extremely expensive here in Brasil, and I still don't know what to use to built it, but not wood) and the levelings to support the table. I have walked around several shops to find something, but maybe I will have to pay someone to work out it for me. I hope in one week my skater will be done. I will post pictures of it here.
 
hi steadicamsteel,

just talked to the locksmith. he has some nice ideas (what about a small motor as option - hmm?). we will start building a prototyp in a week. first a simple version to test the basics.
of course he can make more than one - but let me first check out the prototyp.

p.s. best regards to His Holiness!
 
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