new DIY crane with base!

totalfilmmaker

totalfilmmaker

Active member
I just finished painting this crane and base today. The design is based on the Kessler Crane. I used all steel so it's a little hefty but not more than one person can manage. The base weighs around 70lbs, and the crane breaks down into an 8ft and 5ft section. For the camera mount I used the Bogen Quick Release Assembly, and for the swivel joint I used a small trailer axle and wheel hub. It cost me somewhere around $300 - 350 for all the materials, and the tools I used were a drill press, chop saw, hand grinder, and welder. Yes that is an XL2 up there, I didn't want to use my HVX for the initial test :D. Any comments, suggestions, or questions are welcome. I will post footage soon.



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very nicely done. The only question I have is what did you use for smoothness on your pivot points? From the look of it by the pic it looks like there could be some serious friction on at the base plate. I built a crane very similar (smaller)

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/7555/1154121815.jpg

This is an old pic and since then I've put thrust bearings sandwiched in between each pivot point. It made a big difference. You do have to buy some hardened steel washers to sandwich the bearing as well or the bearing will "carve" away at the metal over time. Anyhow this obviously isn't the only way to do this but it is one succesful way to ensure smoothness. Again nice job it blows mine away(:
 
I love it.

That's it... I'm building one. I've had the parts sitting around for nearly a year! Mine won't be anywhere near that big... but it'll be aluminum.

For you, or anybody else working on these... or on dollies that will run a radius... you should look into 3/16-1/4" thick teflon sheet (or sometimes called teflon plate)... you can cut your own washers (marketed at teflon bearings for many applications). I bought a sheet off ebay. The piece I got isn't that pretty, but it's smooth... and, it's ALL expensive, but if you can find somebody to split a piece with (or several people... then that helps).
 
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