DIY IndieSlider...

C2V said:
First, the Bogen 325N is for tripod heads that have the 3/8" screw sticking out of the bottom. This is rare... most heads have a threaded hole and require a mount that has the bolt sticking up. I'm not familiar with the DS-10, but I'd think that you could separate the head from the ball base and find a standard mount. For that, you need something like the Filmtools 4" riser.

As for mounting the rail to the tripod, you'll use the now-separate ball base, that should have the 3/8" bolt sticking up. (and I presume that you've already thread-tapped one or more holes in the IGUS rail).

I would highly recommend, however, that you get a second tripod head and mount it to the carriage, then mount your rail to the quick-disconnect plate for your DS-10. Having the rail on a tripod head makes things oh-so-much easier.
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Thank you for your advice, I would look for a 2nd tripod head then.
 
dp007 said:
But now I am not sure how to fix the rail on Miller Solo tripod legs and the Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 325N does not seem like work with my Miller DS-10 fluid head on the carriage.

Anyone tried this with a Miller solo tripod and DS-10 fluid head.
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That's my tripod and head. I have a special plate at the bottom of my rails ( one is 24" and the other 45") it increases strength as Aluminum threading is not a great long term solution. Pictures....
PortaDolly_2.jpg

I simply attach the MillerDS10 plate onto the intermediate plate of the Igus rail and slide that onto the DS10 head. THEN i use a smaller, cheaper Bogen head on my Igus carriage to carry the camera. My camera is small and light so that works for me.
I used to mount the DS10 head onto the carriage but that's nuts as you do not want so much weight there and all you really need is smooth panning.
 
FYI, you cannot tilt your tripod head and slide the carriage at the same time... it binds up the bearings and makes the footage jerky.
 
Zephyrnoid said:
That's my tripod and head. I have a special plate at the bottom of my rails ( one is 24" and the other 45") it increases strength as Aluminum threading is not a great long term solution. Pictures....
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Where did you get the special plate that goes bellow the rail?
 
I haven't read through all 90+++ pages. Just wondering if someone can tell me what options are available for making these end pieces, like on the Glidetrack ...

glidetrack.jpg
 
Finster said:
I haven't read through all 90+++ pages. Just wondering if someone can tell me what options are available for making these end pieces, like on the Glidetrack ...

glidetrack.jpg
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Good Question. Now a good answer to your question - its written just between page no. 1 & 94. Trust me when you go thru the pages & put your effort you will love the result & in mean time get loads of FREE INFO :)
 
C2V said:
First, the Bogen 325N is for tripod heads that have the 3/8" screw sticking out of the bottom. This is rare... most heads have a threaded hole and require a mount that has the bolt sticking up. I'm not familiar with the DS-10, but I'd think that you could separate the head from the ball base and find a standard mount. For that, you need something like the Filmtools 4" riser.

As for mounting the rail to the tripod, you'll use the now-separate ball base, that should have the 3/8" bolt sticking up. (and I presume that you've already thread-tapped one or more holes in the IGUS rail).

I would highly recommend, however, that you get a second tripod head and mount it to the carriage, then mount your rail to the quick-disconnect plate for your DS-10. Having the rail on a tripod head makes things oh-so-much easier.
Click to expand...

Update: Returned the Bogen 325N today and ordered an extra head Manfrotto 501HDV to put on the carriage.
 
Finster said:
I haven't read through all 90+++ pages. Just wondering if someone can tell me what options are available for making these end pieces, like on the Glidetrack ...

glidetrack.jpg
Click to expand...

My simple solution can be found in the first post.... then somewhere in here there are boat bumpers...and a few other things too!:laugh:
 
I see. Boat bumpers will keep the carriage from sliding off the rails. What about actually elevating it slightly off the ground, like those end pieces do for the Glidetrack? Like for when I won't be using a tripod?

I noticed someone used a 2X4 ... or maybe it was a 4x4? Any other solutions out there?

Thanks.
 
Finster said:
I see. Boat bumpers will keep the carriage from sliding off the rails. What about actually elevating it slightly off the ground, like those end pieces do for the Glidetrack? Like for when I won't be using a tripod?

I noticed someone used a 2X4 ... or maybe it was a 4x4? Any other solutions out there?

Thanks.
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Again...first post. I used 4x4 pieces of wood and a couple eye screws. It's dirt cheap to do, gets the rail 4" off the floor and the eye screws stop the carriage from sliding off the end.

Maybe you have a special application, but I don't use this much on the floor, so the wood block are the perfect solution for me.
 
ZazaCast said:
Again...first post. I used 4x4 pieces of wood and a couple eye screws. It's dirt cheap to do, gets the rail 4" off the floor and the eye screws stop the carriage from sliding off the end.

Maybe you have a special application, but I don't use this much on the floor, so the wood block are the perfect solution for me.
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A little more expensive, but what about thread-tapping the holes on each end of the rail, same as the center, and mounting to either two 4" risers or two Hi-Hats, which are each in turn mounted to a pancake (1/8 apple)?

Or, if there's an adapter out there for the threaded end... use a couple of baby plates, each on a pancake.
 
dcflip said:
Here are pictures of my slider that I just received today. Very well made and came ready to slide. $99.00 PLUS $12.00 SHIPPING.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMgT-PmEBPQ
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Your point? In case you hadn't noticed, this is a thread in a forum for building things yourself.

While the IndiSlider Mini certainly breaks the previous price-points, you do get what you pay for. Initial reviews have reported it to be useful, yet not quite as robust as the IGUS rail and carriage. And the mounting hardware on the Mini's carriage isn't nearly as solid as what we're building here.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not dogging Tim at all. IndiFocus makes some neat, low-cost stuff (I have the rails and matte box). But when it comes to price:performance, I have no regret that I opted to order the IGUS parts and assemble this thing myself for about $200, getting the performance I'd have gotten out of a $400-500 pre-assembled rig from other companies.

EDIT: Watched one of your links (the other didn't work). Lots of wobble. Part of that might be in getting used to using it, but it didn't seem too stable.

And there's an on-going thread discussing your particular slider HERE.
 
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C2V said:
Your point? In case you hadn't noticed, this is a thread in a forum for building things yourself.

While the IndiSlider Mini certainly breaks the previous price-points, you do get what you pay for. Initial reviews have reported it to be useful, yet not quite as robust as the IGUS rail and carriage. And the mounting hardware on the Mini's carriage isn't nearly as solid as what we're building here.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not dogging Tim at all. IndiFocus makes some neat, low-cost stuff (I have the rails and matte box). But when it comes to price:performance, I have no regret that I opted to order the IGUS parts and assemble this thing myself for about $200, getting the performance I'd have gotten out of a $400-500 pre-assembled rig from other companies.

EDIT: Watched one of your links (the other didn't work). Lots of wobble. Part of that might be in getting used to using it, but it didn't seem too stable.




And there's an on-going thread discussing your particular slider HERE.
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Thanks for the comment, I realized this is the wrong forum, it was too late when I realized it. From what I have seen the Igus has more hesitation and wobble than the Indislidermini, and I also understand that you will have a bias on your observation, having the Indislider on the wrong forum. There is always room for improvement for both systems, just want you to be more factual than being bias next time.
 
dcflip said:
From what I have seen the Igus has more hesitation and wobble than the Indislidermini, and I also understand that you will have a bias on your observation, having the Indislider on the wrong forum. There is always room for improvement for both systems, just want you to be more factual than being bias next time.
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The only wobble I've had from the IGUS rail has been from mounting directly to the tripod rather than having a tripod head underneath... may be the same thing with the Mini. But I am able to get very smooth starts and stops, and it only took about 10 minutes of practice to figure it out before I was confident enough to shoot. Most problems with sliding on the IGUS have to do with improper alignment of bearings, which needs to be done out of the box but only the one time. The rest have to do with learning where to put pressure to maintain an even move.

I've been following the Mini discussion thread closely since it started. It's not bias. It's what I've seen, and it has nothing to do with which post is in which forum. And the narrower width of the track base on the Mini, with the carriage wrapping around the sides, is much different from a wider track base with a carriage that rests on top... another point that influenced my decision when it came to buying/building.

And as I said... I'm sure part of it is getting used to using the Mini. Knowing its limitations, and how to smooth it out, takes practice.

Each slider has its place, and you'll get lots of good use out of yours, I'm sure.
 
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This is my first post, so hello everyone! :)

I finally made it through all the pages of this thread after several hours. What a great resource! I'm ordering mine and have some ideas for motor mods. I'll post some video when it's done along with how I made it. Thanks guys!
 
Welcome to DVXUser!

Sheldon Charron said:
I'm ordering mine and have some ideas for motor mods. I'll post some video when it's done along with how I made it. Thanks guys!
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Can't wait to see what you come up with! First, you'll be so glad you built a slider... it is an incredibly useful camera support device.

Second, I wish I was more electronics-savvy that I really am when it comes to building... so I'm a bit jealous, yet highly interested in what you might come up with!

Last, I wonder if ZazaCast had any clue how much this thread would explode when he first posted it!
 
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