DIY IndieSlider...

Not true, I have an 800 1500 mm rails and both have centered holes. If you use the rail calculator on the igus website you can see the distance between holes as well as the distance from each end to the first hole measured. Both of those are measured in mm.
 
ZazaCast said:
You're better off ordering the solid rail (without pre-drilled holes), measuring...and drilling & tapping your own. You get more threads that way.:happy:

Otherwise... yes, if you want pre-drilled holes.

Here's my 700mm, 16-60mm slider:
picture.php
Click to expand...
Great tip. thanks!
 
Ok! So I just order the 10-40 700 solid. Now it's off to Home Depot.

Couple questions. Since it's solid she said the ends aren't drilled either so what size drill and tap will I need for the ends to add the stops. Is it the same or do I need a smaller size like 1/4"? How hard is it to drill into these pieces? Do I need a vice or can i just get a couple clamps? I'm a bit nervous now. :)
 
Hi guys,

quick question, - how do any of you attach your slider to regular old tripods made for lights ( light stands )

Anyone do this ?

I've been using 2 light stands ( tripods ) with the light attachment removed on each one, which leaves a tiny threaded bit at the top of each stand... this fits into the factory drilled holes at each end of the slider....

however...... the other day, I accidently pushed against the rail and it popped off one of the light stands ( tripod ) and the rail and my camera fell to the ground ( on grass -THANKFULLY )

Now I'm wondering what some of you do, if you use this setup.

P.S. - I don't know of any other way to do this out on location that is less expensive... each of these light stands were about $20 a pop... and work well -- when you don't bump the rail and have it pop off the tip of the tripod :shocked:
 
psykohed said:
Ok! So I just order the 10-40 700 solid. Now it's off to Home Depot.

Couple questions. Since it's solid she said the ends aren't drilled either so what size drill and tap will I need for the ends to add the stops. Is it the same or do I need a smaller size like 1/4"? How hard is it to drill into these pieces? Do I need a vice or can i just get a couple clamps? I'm a bit nervous now. :)
Click to expand...

You'll want to get a 1/4"-20 tap set (1/4"-20 tap & #7 drill bit). Clamp the rail down or use a vise, but whatever you do, DON'T damage rail in anyway or you will not get a nice smooth slide. Also, make sure you drill straight in the end.
(are you nervous yet? :happy:)

Once that's done, get yourself a pair of ZazaSlider Feet (which are pre-drilled for 10-40mm rail too) or buy some 1/4-20 thumb screws and rubber washers or nylon spacers and you're ready to go.
 
David Zeno said:
Hi guys,

quick question, - how do any of you attach your slider to regular old tripods made for lights ( light stands )

Anyone do this ?

I've been using 2 light stands ( tripods ) with the light attachment removed on each one, which leaves a tiny threaded bit at the top of each stand... this fits into the factory drilled holes at each end of the slider....

however...... the other day, I accidently pushed against the rail and it popped off one of the light stands ( tripod ) and the rail and my camera fell to the ground ( on grass -THANKFULLY )

Now I'm wondering what some of you do, if you use this setup.

P.S. - I don't know of any other way to do this out on location that is less expensive... each of these light stands were about $20 a pop... and work well -- when you don't bump the rail and have it pop off the tip of the tripod :shocked:
Click to expand...

Please post a link to a picture so I can see what you're talking about...but personally, it doesn't sound too secure to me. You might want to rethink the "cheap" part because it won't be cheap if you smash your camera.:shocked:

You need to find a way to secure the rail to your tripods. Is there anyway to drill into the tripod end and add a fastener?
 
I get a cheaper slider other than IGUS straight from the manufacturer.

http://www.pbclinear.com/ModularGuide.aspx

I just discovered that's all they make is different types of slides.

The slide in (www.dpslider.com) is called the "Redi-Rail"

And the next one I'm looking at is like this one (www.vcampro.com) uses a slider called Uni-Guide. It's about twice as expensive, but 4 times as heavy duty, plus you don't have to align the slider to the rail, it's just 2 pieces!
 
David Zeno said:
maybe it's just me ? but this slider they are selling IS an Igus slider !

If this is so, I wonder how they can sell it cheaper than what IGUS sells it for, directly to us ?

Ok this is very interesting, thanks for the info.

Did you get a quote on the rail and the carriage ?
Click to expand...


It is just like IGUS, but it's not. I've been making machines for about 16 years now, and I found this company kind of in my backyard. I remember I got a 3 foot 40mm one for about $100 exactly before shipping, the 4 foot might have been another $20.

They tend to focus more on heavy duty slides. They have a 75mm and an 80mm. If anyone has a larger camera, the other rail called Uni-Guide can hold over 100 lbs, but it's alot more expensive.

I have my own shop, so I guy in bulk now, but in the past I ordered from MSC or McMaster-Carr.
 
The following are only MY opinions...I've researched this stuff extensively for the past 3 years and received many samples from many different companies...

I've gotten samples of all the PBC stuff...doesn't even come close to the quality of the igus product. Redi-Rail flexes if you're planning on using just one piece. There's never been a problem with support on the igus stuff either, the 16-60 is rated at 500 lbs. Uni-glide is WAY over priced.

There's a reason IndieSlider Pro, Glidetrack, T-Jib, Kessler and myself use the igus product.

Just saying....:happy:

By the way a 3' piece of 10-40mm rail with a carriage from igus runs $92.20 before shipping.
 
Ummm, I'm not saying you don't know what you're talking about, but it's the same EXACT extrusion. I've been making machines with linear rails for 16 years. And the 16-60 CANNOT handle 500 lbs in a cantilevered position, none of these sliders can.

IGUS is a European company, and unless you get if from a distributor, (who will mark up the price) it's cheaper to buy American and ship inside the US.

Personally, the rail doesn't really matter, but the carriages IGUS makes I don't like at all.
 
Osiris96 said:
Ummm, I'm not saying you don't know what you're talking about, but it's the same EXACT extrusion. I've been making machines with linear rails for 16 years. And the 16-60 CANNOT handle 500 lbs in a cantilevered position, none of these sliders can.
Click to expand...
First off...the PBC rail you're talking about isn't available in 60mm....and YES it is rated at 500lbs. All rating for this rail is assuming it's mounted flat on a support surface. I have had 80lbs. on the slider (1000mm suspended between two cinder blocks)...no problem. I would have kept going, but that's all the weight I had and my camera rig is no where near that heavy.:shocked:

IGUS is a European company, and unless you get if from a distributor, (who will mark up the price) it's cheaper to buy American and ship inside the US.
Click to expand...
Yes, they are...and I fully agree, go USA anywhere you can...but did you know the PBC rail is imported from China? (that came directly from the PBC inside applications engineer I talked to) You can buy directly from igus any day of the week, ships from Rhode Island. All the phone numbers and part numbers are in the first post.

Personally, the rail doesn't really matter, but the carriages IGUS makes I don't like at all.
Click to expand...
Well, that's your opinion. Can you please post some pictures and video you've shot on your version of the slider? Love to see something...anything...that you've shot using the cheap PBC rail.:happy:
 
Using your zaza legs yes, but that's not cantilevered, most sliders I see, are mounted in the center, and probably have trouble with 50 lbs on the ends.

I've used Igus, Pbc, tHK and Rollon for years, and I suppose it's possible that it's repackaged, I can't say I know where it's extruded. But I know that they're the same extrusion.

I'm not here to make money like you! I simply wanted to share what I new about these linear systems. I myself build very study, overly expensive slides compared to what is on here because they're meant for machinery, not tri-pods.

Without a doubt, and it's not economical, the Uni-Guide beats both Drylin and Modular guide. I know for a fact, the carriage is made specifically for the rail.

A friend has a Uni-Guide one here: http://www.vcampro.com/video.html

As I said, I'm an engineer, not a videographer.
 
In Zaza's defense, he was the one to bring this DIY to our attention and does offer a useful product to expand the flexibility of that DIY. I personally think he is entitled to that.
 
Osiris96 said:
Using your zaza legs yes, but that's not cantilevered, most sliders I see, are mounted in the center, and probably have trouble with 50 lbs on the ends.

I've used Igus, Pbc, tHK and Rollon for years, and I suppose it's possible that it's repackaged, I can't say I know where it's extruded. But I know that they're the same extrusion.

I'm not here to make money like you! I simply wanted to share what I new about these linear systems. I myself build very study, overly expensive slides compared to what is on here because they're meant for machinery, not tri-pods.

Without a doubt, and it's not economical, the Uni-Guide beats both Drylin and Modular guide. I know for a fact, the carriage is made specifically for the rail.

A friend has a Uni-Guide one here: http://www.vcampro.com/video.html

As I said, I'm an engineer, not a videographer.
Click to expand...

No harm, no foul. If I was here to make money, I'd be broke! :shocked:

I posted this project to share with the community a cheap and easy way to build a quality slider. Posted part numbers, product numbers, step-by-step instructions, video and any good add-on's as the community discovers them. I just happened to design a nice pair of feet and thought many users would appreciate the design and quality of the build. It cost me quite a bit to go through prototyping, testing and finally short-run fabrication of the ZazaSlider Feet. If I break even I'll be surprized.

The uni-glide is the only product from PBC that I could recommend, but it was so much more expensive then the igus product, it wasn't worth posting. These are budget-minded filmmakers around here (myself included) who have to beg, borrow & steal to get a film made.

I assume you haven't read through the almost 2000 posts on here, but pretty much all the other linear motion companies products have been discussed. I too was tired of paying too much for something that could be build much cheaper. Thank you for the information...and welcome to the group!
 
Thanks so much for all the help with parts and instructions! It's greatly appreciated.

I've searched this thread for an hour now reading through a ton of posts specifically with the Libec H38 head, but I'm still foggy on how to best use this head with the IGUS rails and carriage?

I have the Libec LS38 tipod system (75mm bowl), and for the life of me I can't picture how to best set this up. I received my rail and carriage literally hours ago, but don't want to purchase anything else that isn't going to work for my application.

If anyone has this tripod system can you point me in the direction you went?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
 
By all means, I wish you the best. Why is it that you chose the 60mm and not the 80mm? If it was center-mounted instead of your legs, wouldn't 80mm be better?

Also, I made a slide like the DP Slider, what my friends said was that it was smoother and more quiet than the Glidetrack. Couldn't you manipulate your legs to work on a Redi-Rail? I mean with support on both ends that linear slide would pretty damn good. I don't have pricing in front of me, but it would be under $200 I believe?

Also, I'm thinking of starting a slider like the Indi Slider. It's made from hollow aluminum extrusion. Have you looked at the Integral V stuff from PBC? I haven't priced it yet, but take a look: http://ivt.pbclinear.com

Oh, and one last thing, have you seen any motorized sliders? I want to make one of those next!
 
Osiris96 said:
By all means, I wish you the best. Why is it that you chose the 60mm and not the 80mm? If it was center-mounted instead of your legs, wouldn't 80mm be better?

Also, I made a slide like the DP Slider, what my friends said was that it was smoother and more quiet than the Glidetrack. Couldn't you manipulate your legs to work on a Redi-Rail? I mean with support on both ends that linear slide would pretty damn good. I don't have pricing in front of me, but it would be under $200 I believe?

Also, I'm thinking of starting a slider like the Indi Slider. It's made from hollow aluminum extrusion. Have you looked at the Integral V stuff from PBC? I haven't priced it yet, but take a look: http://ivt.pbclinear.com

Oh, and one last thing, have you seen any motorized sliders? I want to make one of those next!
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat as you. I just ordered my slider, and my Sachtler FSB-8 and DA 75 Tripod from BH are sitting at the UPS depot. I have other tripods and heads, but they're all for photography. I'm not sure if I should put the Sachtler head on the slider or put the slider on the head and use something else on the slider carriage. I'd like to try som jib-type movements with the slider at some point, so I guess in that case I should also have a second head. Not sure what I need to mount the sachtler on the flat slider. Probably a bowl adapter as seen on here.

I also need to think of a riser. One guy on here said the filmtools riser was a little too short. I ordered a 1200mm rail, so I'm thinking of getting the 8" for my 150mm carriage. Is that too tall?
 
N635DC said:
In Zaza's defense, he was the one to bring this DIY to our attention and does offer a useful product to expand the flexibility of that DIY. I personally think he is entitled to that.
Click to expand...

Thanks!:laugh:

joegorges said:
Thanks so much for all the help with parts and instructions! It's greatly appreciated.

I've searched this thread for an hour now reading through a ton of posts specifically with the Libec H38 head, but I'm still foggy on how to best use this head with the IGUS rails and carriage?

I have the Libec LS38 tipod system (75mm bowl), and for the life of me I can't picture how to best set this up. I received my rail and carriage literally hours ago, but don't want to purchase anything else that isn't going to work for my application.

If anyone has this tripod system can you point me in the direction you went?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
Click to expand...

All you should need is this:
If you have a head with a screw that comes out the bottom... I believe people have been using this adapter with success:
Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 325N Video Head Adapter Bowl- for 75 mm and 100 mm Heads
1268147741.jpg


Mount it to your carriage and your head should drop right in!
 
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