curved dolly track?
- Thread starter matthewd5
- Start date
dakotapod
Veteran
Re: curved dolly track?
Depends on the diameter pipe you need and how sharp of a curve but you can get 2" PVC pipe that will curve. However I'm not sure what kind of weight it will hold Or how smooth a dolly shot would be.
Home Depot should have some options as well
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/12473/cid/3157
(I don't know this company - just an example)
Depends on the diameter pipe you need and how sharp of a curve but you can get 2" PVC pipe that will curve. However I'm not sure what kind of weight it will hold Or how smooth a dolly shot would be.
Home Depot should have some options as well
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/12473/cid/3157
(I don't know this company - just an example)
Re: curved dolly track?
If you use eletrical pipe they make whats called a long throw 90. I think it has a 4 foot dia. They have them at Home Depot in 2" but if you go to an eletrical supply they will have them in a smaller dia. As for bending it yoursef it is sort of a pain, plus you have to bend two pieces the same. They make a device that is sort of like a heating pad but hotter and larger to bend pipe. Its pretty damn expensive though. Your best bet would be to use the long throw 90 or spend the money for the flexable pipe. mike
If you use eletrical pipe they make whats called a long throw 90. I think it has a 4 foot dia. They have them at Home Depot in 2" but if you go to an eletrical supply they will have them in a smaller dia. As for bending it yoursef it is sort of a pain, plus you have to bend two pieces the same. They make a device that is sort of like a heating pad but hotter and larger to bend pipe. Its pretty damn expensive though. Your best bet would be to use the long throw 90 or spend the money for the flexable pipe. mike
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Re: curved dolly track?
PVC will bend while heated with a torch. You could lay out your track guides using 2 x 4's nailed onto plywood as guides, use the torch to bend the PVC and lay the pipe into the guides and let it harden. The PVC will bend very fast so it's important to start your curve and lay the pipe!
Im an idea man...
PVC will bend while heated with a torch. You could lay out your track guides using 2 x 4's nailed onto plywood as guides, use the torch to bend the PVC and lay the pipe into the guides and let it harden. The PVC will bend very fast so it's important to start your curve and lay the pipe!
Im an idea man...
Brett_Erskine
Active member
Re: curved dolly track?
Dont bend them exactly the same though. The outer pipe will have a curve thats not as tight as the inner curve. This project requires perfection to work properly. Sounds like a headache waiting to happen.
Dont bend them exactly the same though. The outer pipe will have a curve thats not as tight as the inner curve. This project requires perfection to work properly. Sounds like a headache waiting to happen.
Re: curved dolly track?
All of that sounds like a lot of work with a high potential for 3rd degree burns--but that's just me.
I vaguely remember reading about industrial grade hose being suitable for dolly track. Apparently one of the small dolly manufacturers sells this hose as their stock track and make it sound like it's proprietary. However, you can order the hose directly from an industrial supply house (Grainger, maybe?) and save some money. Do I know the exact item # or specs? No, but I'll see if I can dig it up.
All of that sounds like a lot of work with a high potential for 3rd degree burns--but that's just me.
I vaguely remember reading about industrial grade hose being suitable for dolly track. Apparently one of the small dolly manufacturers sells this hose as their stock track and make it sound like it's proprietary. However, you can order the hose directly from an industrial supply house (Grainger, maybe?) and save some money. Do I know the exact item # or specs? No, but I'll see if I can dig it up.
dakotapod
Veteran
Re: curved dolly track?
Unless you can accurately bend metal or PVC pipe to exactly the curve you want your only real option is something flexible. Bending a stiff product will be a total nightmare.
If you use a flexible 2" PVC pipe all you need to do is make up a bunch of spacers that will hold the pipe apart the same space evenly. This way you can have a varying curve and length according to your needs at any given shoot. the pipe is fairly cheap so if need be it can be considered throw away and just make good spacers.
I think Barry is referring to what's called a waste pipe. You can get it at most lumber yards.
Unless you can accurately bend metal or PVC pipe to exactly the curve you want your only real option is something flexible. Bending a stiff product will be a total nightmare.
If you use a flexible 2" PVC pipe all you need to do is make up a bunch of spacers that will hold the pipe apart the same space evenly. This way you can have a varying curve and length according to your needs at any given shoot. the pipe is fairly cheap so if need be it can be considered throw away and just make good spacers.
I think Barry is referring to what's called a waste pipe. You can get it at most lumber yards.
Re: curved dolly track?
Unfortunately, I haven't seen this type of hose at lumber yards/home improvement centers. I remember it was a very rigid hose stock that was fairly expensive and available only through indistrial supply houses. I've been searching, but I can't find the reference.
Unfortunately, I haven't seen this type of hose at lumber yards/home improvement centers. I remember it was a very rigid hose stock that was fairly expensive and available only through indistrial supply houses. I've been searching, but I can't find the reference.
translumination
Active member
Re: curved dolly track?
Try Nuangle.com.
They make dolleys that mount onto tripods.
They will make an aluminium curved track for you of specified diameter if you make a request.
Try Nuangle.com.
They make dolleys that mount onto tripods.
They will make an aluminium curved track for you of specified diameter if you make a request.