"Camera Carts"

Charles.

Our mutual friend and hero G Brown suggested to me that you cant design something until you know exactly what you want it to do.

I had this 'cheap' device for some months https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/platform-trolleys/0252034/

After having that for a while I identified that it was the correct shape and dimensions for me and then embarked on my own build of the same dimensions but 'set robust'

The initial spec is really important :)

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Blue trolley on location. Some space for gack and lenses, directors monitor, Led light and car batt to power it.
https://twitter.com/sammorganmoore/status/959500503536324608?s=20
 
Sam:

Is the idea behind that cart moving those components from place to place or acting as a mobile platform for them while in use? If the latter, does it ever feel like a compromise all the way around, i.e. there is an exact placement for a given light but that wouldn't necessarily be where the mike wants to be, or the director with their monitor.
 
morgan_moore said:
Did you research 'door width' here is a UK link.. https://www.jbkind.com/info-centre/standard-door-sizes

the standard UK domestic door is 26in, if you have to approach a door at an angle or ir doesnt fully open then 24 is problematic.
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In the US, door widths are quite a bit wider - most of the doorways in my apartment are between 31"-36" wide, so while I don't anticipate 24" being a problem with doorways, I think I need to cut my shelf down to about 20" wide to avoid it teetering if someone leans on it when it's empty (or heaven forbid only has my camera on top of it). I think cutting it down is going to be a pain though cause I've already glued and stapled the carpet around the edges of the wood.....


I can't help digress and ask what is that UFO on the floor?
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I think it was a failed attempt at building some giant umbrella design element.....I did all of my building at my friend's shop who owns several day cares - this is where they build all of their furniture and classroom decorations, etc.

Chris.. if you have those fab skills why not do the whole distance and make a whole cart - nick the wheels off the RR cart.
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Trust me, I have almost zero experience doing this stuff or using the power tools necessary to build this, haha. I think when I'm all said and done I could create plans for someone else to do this in 1/10th of the time and about 1/3 of the cost......lots of trial and error going on over here.

I'm going to use it for a shoot this week and see how it goes and then probably see about recutting and carpeting the wood and then cutting the aluminum to fit the new width.

IMG_1662.jpg

Another idea I just had - and this would be another more expensive idea, would maybe be to keep the shelf 24" and instead of using the L brackets to hook onto the pegs and just using gravity to hold it there, I could maybe attach some Manfrotto super clamps to the frame so they can rest on the pegs and then I can tighten the clamps to grab the pegs, eliminating the chance of anything tipping over....... this shelf is going to end up costing more than the cart, haha.
 
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CharlesPapert said:
Sam:

Is the idea behind that cart moving those components from place to place or acting as a mobile platform for them while in use? If the latter, does it ever feel like a compromise all the way around, i.e. there is an exact placement for a given light but that wouldn't necessarily be where the mike wants to be, or the director with their monitor.
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Firstly the 'boom' is only being 'stored' between setups.

Mounting a light and directors monitor..? yep on a big setup it would not work but on a small setup it keeps the director out of shot :)


This is a configuration for a crew of three doing six locations in a day or so... where everything was a compromise.. but way better than carrying everything bit by bit over our shoulders.

My cart is basically a trolley for moving a pile of boxes/pelis.
But I have added..
-28mm receiver which can take a Cstand top.
-The handle bar is 5/8 tube so it is easy to clamp on a monitor or other bits using standard grip components.

We have found it extremely useful in locations like this skatepark or a large warehouse with decent floor.

It is not a function specific device like your DIT(?) cart. Both of course have value.

-Edit. The director can remove the monitor with a 1/4 turn of a hand bolt, they are then free to roam.
(atomos+animon :) )

My plywood cage https://twitter.com/sammorganmoore/status/1056175318321512449
 
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Paul F said:
What do you mean by backlash-free Morgan? I've not heard that term applied to wheels.
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I am curious also.

Frictionless barings?

I don’t see how one can prevent backlash on uneven ground, the cart will settle where gravity motivates it.


The inovativ people are intelligent and extremely good awareness. I met them briefly, and they were impressive. Trusting the term is something beyond marketing, i just don’t understand how it applies to carts.
 
@chris f,

Really digging your mod. Glad you mentioned the tipping shelf. I was hating the mounting style of my top shelf, but now realizing it won’t tip. So, i will put up with it until i can fin some good aircraft pins.

But i like how your shelf is longer. My shelf is nice and compact, but it prevents my two main cases from stacking side by side on the lower shelf. Just by a few inches! But i will have to figure out if i want a new top shelf or new cases. :/
 
CharlesPapert said:
Not exactly a camera cart but thought it might be fun to toss these into the ring. I got used to sitting by DIT carts for a few years and then had to start doing shows without a DIT, so I first had a whopping cart built from scratch that took a year and a half and cost a princely sum. Still use especially on jobs without a DIT, since it does video distro around the set via DA's, incorporates LUT boxes, and has Teradek Cubes and a router to transmit cameras to iPhones and iPads. I use the Shogun for false color and record/playback for specialty purposes.

The main guts are an ATEM switcher with laptop control and a custom keypad (where I do basic image switching and frame grabs for comparative purposes), Decimator MD-HX's to convert various inputs as required, Blackmagic Mini recorders to work with Scopebox and the frame grabber and other odds and ends.

View attachment 136026

A year or so after I finished that I began to identify that I needed something more mobile, lighter and easier to manage on jobs that require a lot of mobility (like it might have to get carried up stairs mid-day), so I built this second cart.

View attachment 136023

The case at the bottom include a duplicate of the "main guts" listed above.

The frame is a standard Backstage conversion vertical magliner with the noseplate replaced with a custom framework made from 80/20 extrusions. The front wheels are mounted to plate that slides out to make it lighter/easier to load into a vehicle. The top plate for that assembly is designed as a footrest.

The triangular structure on the outrigger to the right side normally has wireless iris controllers on it but I didn't have them mounted for this picture, you can see them loaded in the big cart pic above.

The cable harnesses are enclosed in braided nylon sleeves, cut exactly to required length. When not in use, they roll back into their individual pouches. The cables snake through holes in the back of the pouches into the plastic case behind, which distributes them along with AC (five outlets on the side of the case), as well as USB for charging and two all-important cupholders!

View attachment 136025

View attachment 136024
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This is pretty fantastic! Loving the vertical screen with the wavforms and scopes!

Looks like it would make any location a home away from home.

Now, if only there was a way to keep random coffee cups from showing up on it. Or is it matcha tea these days?
 
Paul F said:
What do you mean by backlash-free Morgan? I've not heard that term applied to wheels.
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Maybe not the correct phrase.

I mean my wheels on my cart.. (those wheels of the first cart pending )

Have huge wobble in the thrust bearing and a lot of plays in the axle bearing.

The thrust bearings in the forked pair are pressed onto the fork.. they cannot be adjusted.

Ive found wheels that are $200 a set.. but they are still sourced from china and not in any store I can visit and have a feel.

These are the most expensive wheels I can find..
https://www.rosscastors.co.uk/260mmswivel-castor-with-a-puncture-proof-wheel.html
BUt I still dont trust them to run well.
 
Ok, understood. Yes, caster/cart wheels bearings are garbage. The problem is that most applications are satisfied as long as the wheel rotates. A sloppy roller bearing and they're happy. I did find some caster manufacturers that use tapered bearings, but no retails sales.
 
James0b57 said:
Now, if only there was a way to keep random coffee cups from showing up on it. Or is it matcha tea these days?
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Ha! Who would DARE to leave a coffee on my cart?! I'm the only one that gets to spill things!

The two cupholders are a critical element! plus I use a tall director's chair that has a swingout tray with a third cupholder, just for good measure.
 
After getting my cart fully loaded for it's first trip into the wild, functionally I'm really liking the wide shelf on top. I think if I can find a way to secure it I'll keep it that wide to give me more surface area.

Maybe I could get something like this to attach to the shelf frame via screw & bolt and then use it to clamp onto the pegs on the cart: https://www.stageriggingwarehouse.c...MIqISksI6n4wIVFarsCh09jQMcEAQYAiABEgLAtPD_BwE

IMG_1707 2.jpg
 
Good thread everyone. And Chris - I too like your mod... from the photos it looks like they have changed the R&R cart quite a bit from older models... my (I think) R&R 12 model looks quite different than your pic - but have had mine probably 12+ years now.
One quick question - cause I like those handles you've added to the ends - are you able to still fold down the ends for easier transport? (assuming you can either take the handles off quickly - or they somehow are recessed to allow folding?)
 
markfpv said:
Good thread everyone. And Chris - I too like your mod... from the photos it looks like they have changed the R&R cart quite a bit from older models... my (I think) R&R 12 model looks quite different than your pic - but have had mine probably 12+ years now.
One quick question - cause I like those handles you've added to the ends - are you able to still fold down the ends for easier transport? (assuming you can either take the handles off quickly - or they somehow are recessed to allow folding?)
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Yep, they're motorcycle pegs and since they don't go all the way across the middle, there's still a gap for the middle bar on the bottom when you fold the sides in to pack up, so it doesn't affect it at all
 
Sometimes i pack up into a sedan, and i have to stack some heavy pelicans in the back seat. Or i run out of space in the trunk and have to throw the cart in the back seat.

I started looking at those back seat pet covers to protect the back seat. Wondering if any of you load gear into a sedan and what your solution my be?
 
chris f said:
After getting my cart fully loaded for it's first trip into the wild, functionally I'm really liking the wide shelf on top. I think if I can find a way to secure it I'll keep it that wide to give me more surface area.

Maybe I could get something like this to attach to the shelf frame via screw & bolt and then use it to clamp onto the pegs on the cart: https://www.stageriggingwarehouse.c...MIqISksI6n4wIVFarsCh09jQMcEAQYAiABEgLAtPD_BwE

View attachment 136036
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I dig the shelf. It looks MUCH better than the factory one. Mine is on it's last legs. One too many sandbags and other heavy objects thrown on top of it.
 
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