Built A Home Made Dolly... Help!!!!

Wow, Shawn you have been busy. I like the idea of the sprinkler tube cap. But, somtimes its really easy to over build stuff. That is an issue I tend to have :)
 
busy... over build, obsessive, compulsive? INSANE is the correct assessment for me lately!

Actually, my search for the perfect dolly design is only a ploy to distract myself from the far more maddening search I've been on for the ultimate beginners light & grip kit. I only have 73 items listed out that I somehow think I "need" to buy (anyhow, enough with the off-topic stuff, I'll post a new thread seeking to pay a DP/grip consultant to spend a couple of hours with me so I can get through with my purchase list and get on with making movies! At this rate I'll never shoot another frame of film again (I mean, 24p section of DV tape!) ;-)


btw, thanks for posting your pics, after we hooked up the other day I was gonna ask you if you had any pics or specs from your rig.
 
JHouser said:
...somtimes its really easy to over build stuff. That is an issue I tend to have :)
Click to expand...


I really do want to be able to lay down either a flexible track or at least run a half circle dolly on something pre-curved.
 
Slick, yes.

but $800? ouch!

Well, I hate being challenged, but the principal of that design has got to be replicable for far less than $200 a set. Thank god I don't have metal working tools at my disposal, I'd probably never get anything else done.
 
MattC I built a dolly very similar to your own. I'm having difficulty keeping it on the tracks (1.25 in pvc pipe). Did you have any difficulty with this. Any input would be welcome.
 
The track needs to be straight. I line the track up and put sandbags on each end. Once I get the track aligned and weighted down I have no problems.

Matt
 
What are the platform size(s) you guys are using? I made my first dollie based on the design from Dan Selakovich's book, but I accidentally made it too wide for doorway shots, and perhaps not long enough to ensure the most stable/fluid movements, 24" x 24", which because of the design ends up with a track-to-track measurement of 27 1/2", so, I'll need to narrow down my platform to like 21" wide and then I suspect I should put more length for stability, perhaps 36". Curious to know what others use for platform sizes. Thx.
 
Industry standard track is 62cm (24.5") and the dolly of course just a little wider.

My dolly runs on 62cm track, and the total width is 70cm (27.5"), which *just* fits through a doorway.


- Mikko
 
bigger wheel circumference, the bigger the wheels the smoother the ride, longer wheel base as well... i personally just got a real nice wheelchair... i'll be dealing with your problem later... hopefully much later
 
I use a 4' by 28". 4' long to carry equipmet and /or multiple people for focus puller or other assistant.. even the boom mic op.. if were tracking with the subject! 28" wide to fit through most doorways with little worry.
 
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