New Dolly Design

D

dsk

Active member
Hi All.


Recently I've been researching dolly's. Over the past few weeks I have determined by reading posts here that there may very well be a need for some type of affordable dolly type device that is -

A. Somewhat affordable

b. Somewhat Transportable

c. Creates a very smooth "Ride"

d. Does not require tracks

e. Is versatile


Tomorrow I meet with an extremely gifted engineer / manufacturer who I have worked with in the past. I have discussed this project with him recently and he is very interestd in making this project a reality. I am calling on this community to share your thoughts as to what you feel would be important features on such a device. Let's think outside the box.

Wheelchairs and or garden carts may work just fine....but let's take it to the next level and put some ideas on paper and see what we can come up with from scratch.


Thanks!


Dave
 
Re: New Dolly Design

When you say "does not require tracks" I am thinking doorway push dolly made with pneumatic wheels. I built a very inexpensive track dolly with 3/4 inch plywood, small corner brackets and inline skates purchased at Models in NY for $30 bucks. I sandwich two wheels with 5/8 bolts going through the wheels and corner brackets, fastened to the plywood (3 1/2 X 2 1/2) then placed on 2 inch plastic pvc. It is very smooth. I connect the pvc with plumming nipples and I connected a scooter handle bar to push it. All of this for under $50 bucks. If you want to build the doorway dolly, your expenses range from pneumatic wheels ($30/a wheel), the frame, the platform, steering mechanism and possibly some welding. The advantage is that 2 or 3 people can ride on it. On the dolly I built only a tripod and camera can ride.
 
Re: New Dolly Design

I think a doorway dolly is the way to go. I'm currently planning on building one of my own, cause I don't really feel $2500.00 is a fair price. You could build one for probably $200-300 bucks if you know somebody with a welder.

DollySteeringSM.jpg


This is the steering undercarriage of a Matthews Doorway Dolly that I'm planning to copy. The reasoning is because you can use standard track and accessories with it if it's more or less the same as the one Matthews makes. Notice how the tie rods on the steering mechanism are both on the same side of the pivot point. Now I'm no engineer, but I would think that if one tie rod were in front and the other behind the pivot point, they could push/pull beyond the normal range of motion.(with the removal of the bump-stops welded to the frame) Some slight modification of the frame/steering/deck would hopefully allow a tighter turning radius, what do you guys think? Here's a CU of the tie rods' anchor point:
dollyTierodsSM.jpg


I plan on building this kind of dolly for it's versatility of carrying more weight and it can also be used with standard dolly accessories if the main design remains the same. Plus, it can be used to haul stuff around on set.

Willy's Widgets is a good place to look into for dolly wheels and the like:

http://www.willyswidgets.com/pr_wheels.html
 
Re: New Dolly Design

I want this. It's made in the UK and they want to Rape me for 700 US Dollars. 700?! Are you completely insane?!

I like this for the "no flat graound needed" concept.

Ladder_dolly_3.jpg


Ladder_dolly_1.jpg
 
Re: New Dolly Design

Wow! that is definitely a new design. I usually browse the homebuiltstabilizer site to see new designs, but that ladder stole the cake. Very inventive.
 
Re: New Dolly Design

dang that's pretty sweet! Anyone with a CNC/metalworking gear around here care to take a crack at it? Jarred? Anyone?
 
Re: New Dolly Design

Dudes

(Dudes being Jarred or IAL or any other creative maniac on here) if you made something like this:

I WILL PAY YOU MONEY (Please dont rape me for 700 though. Ill have to cry) I hope someone will take a crack at this. This is obviously affordable (materials and works and perfect for us DVX'ers.)
 
Re: New Dolly Design

Hey, I tried to call out Marjamar on the thread for a Follow Focus.

He has a nice, shiny new CNC/mill.

Are you there, Rodger?   ;)

Or Kelly JayBee? ;D
 
Re: New Dolly Design

I have pictures of my homade dolly if someone can upload them, I don't know how. Its still a work in progress as I just started the construction today. I need just a few more parts to complete it. The dolly rolls very smoth and the best part is, it wasn't that expensive to build :)

Ray
 
Re: New Dolly Design

John, you can build this ladder dolly in no time, it's no big deal. I'm not the DIY guy, really not... no, I mean really really really not. But I made my own PVC pipe dolly in three hours, and it works very smooth (although its look is awfully ghetto, so awfully ghetto it has a certain unique beauty in fact...)

I think a dolly is the easiest homework we can do, and it's worth the time spent : what's more cinematic than a nice mellow dolly shot ?

The ladder thing seems great, but I looked at the prices for 12+ foot straight ladders and... they're not given. You could try to buy aluminum bars instead, much cheaper.
 
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