DIY Dolly Under $50

Robertson6

Robertson6

Active member
This is a dolly I made. I looked on ebay and every else and couldn't find a decent price on anything. I made this on the cheap and it works awesome. The rail is 20' long and I can break it down to 10' if needed. I took a 24" X 24" sheet on 3/4" plywood ($5.47) 4 1" pvc 10' sticks ($2.00 each) 1 3' piece of angle ($4.40) 2 mini skate boards from Walmart stole the wheels and kept the trucks for a later date ($7.47 each).
 

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Very cool man !!! way to save a buck n way get-r-done

If it's no offense, I'd say consider rounded corners on the plywood so it's less likely to snag up on something..

Cool beans man,,,enjoy it
 
Very awesome, it basically looks exactly like mine. Only differences are I covered the top of the dolly board with skateboard grip tape (the tripod feet then grip very well to it without the need of a bungee cord) and I made a hinged handle on one side to use for pushing/pulling the dolly without touching the tripod. (the latter I highly recommend)
 
Do you think it would be possible to make a ride-on dolly using this design by maybe going to 2" pvc?

Also, what do you use to connect the pvc sticks?

Thanks and great job.
 
armisiano said:
Very awesome, it basically looks exactly like mine. Only differences are I covered the top of the dolly board with skateboard grip tape (the tripod feet then grip very well to it without the need of a bungee cord) and I made a hinged handle on one side to use for pushing/pulling the dolly without touching the tripod. (the latter I highly recommend)
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Is there a hardware store item that works for the handle?
 
To answer a couple of questions. Instead of a handle for pulling or pushing, I use the eyelit where the tripod is bungee attached, to tie a thin rope to it. I usually only use this rig for pulling, it is much smoother that way. I have found that if you use the rope I can be a lot steadier then with a pole, this way you don't have to walk, you pull it to you while sitting. Really works better that way for using an external monitor.

Second question was about riding along. I have set up a chair and a mono pod on this and shot moving video several times, came out great. I am 200 pounds and it didn't flinch in the least. You also asked how I attached the 2 sticks. I use 1" pvc pipe, and if you take a 4-6" piece of 3/4" pvc it will go inside of the 1" extremely tight, and you can butt the 2 ends together making it seamless. I have done runs as long a 60' this way. I guess you could go as far as you want really. I just need to figure out how to go over rough terrain with it, and around corners. Any ideas are welcome.
 
I have thought about the garden hose, except it seems to stiff. They make a really pliable garden hose but it cost some $, so for now I press on. I will try to get some video uploaded on you tube with a link after the holidays.
 
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