PLYWOOD SKATER Finished

my skater

my skater

Hi all,
Thanks to teddybear's plans I constructed my own skater, pics and video are here:
http://homepage.mac.com/skellycinematography/
It works really well, I used a hole saw to cut the wheel holders and did the rest with a jigsaw. You can use the excel file (from pstechnik) to set the rotation of the wheels but it's much quicker to use a laser pointer. I got one from target for about $12. The one I got has a crosshair pattern so you don't have to tilt it up or down - works great.
I also go a tilt plate from target - it's a holder for a flat screen tv, about $24.
Havn't figured out a brake yet but I'll post pic when I do.
Thanks for the resources.
Shane.
 
the tiff files that were provided in the other plywood skater thread
I covered them with some plastic
 
Excellent job! Thanks for sharing. I want to build one, but I'm just not that steady with the jig saw. I may have to find a woodshop to do the cuts for me.
 
LowDown

Congratulations! Great job! and a better looking camera mount than mine I should say!
Well now you can do the job of coaching others so I can focus on posting plans for my lens adapter that I'm fine tuning, the DVXDOF120.
I'll also post the modification results so that EVERYBODY can do theirs FREE!
 
Shane has set the bar High

Shane has set the bar High

Shane,

Your Skater looks awesome and that video is stunning man. Kudos indeed.

I also think the modifications are incredible. Do you mind elaborating on a few points for those of us with less than McGvyer like skills at such things. I'm going to attempt to build one this weekend and I'd just like to get some tips from someone who's gone through it.

1. Any difficulty in aligning and coordinating the wheel mounts? Any key points to
consider here?

2. Where did you pick up the wheels ? And what do you need as hardware, bearings etc?

3. Did you pick up the locking nobs from like Ace Hardware or something?

4. How does the laserpointer aid in the wheel calibration? and the crosshairs? Do you have the mount at an angle already?

5. Is that a camera quick release on top ? How will you connect cam to mount?


I was going to work up a break system as well. Maybe just a tension based sping or such.. Home Depot and the local flee market will be in order.


Thanks and your construction looks completly on point.


J


LowDown said:
Hi all,
Thanks to teddybear's plans I constructed my own skater, pics and video are here:
http://homepage.mac.com/skellycinematography/
It works really well, I used a hole saw to cut the wheel holders and did the rest with a jigsaw. You can use the excel file (from pstechnik) to set the rotation of the wheels but it's much quicker to use a laser pointer. I got one from target for about $12. The one I got has a crosshair pattern so you don't have to tilt it up or down - works great.
I also go a tilt plate from target - it's a holder for a flat screen tv, about $24.
Havn't figured out a brake yet but I'll post pic when I do.
Thanks for the resources.
Shane.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Justyn, I'd be happy to help.
First off I did have to blow up the jpeg that was provided,print it out on regular printer paper and stick it together . If you tape the sheets to a window it makes them easy to align. I used 3/4 inch ply for the wheel holders and surrounds and 1/2 inch ply for the base.

1. Any difficulty in aligning and coordinating the wheel mounts? Any key points to
consider here?
I have to stress here to draw all the lines that are on the plans on your plywood base there were a few that I transferred then painted over but found out that I needed them to align the wheels to zero degrees. The wheel holders are tough to drill correctly, I used a drill press with a long 1/4" drill bit. It's really important to get this hole through the middle of your circular wheel holder as it could lead to problems down the line with accuracy. (I may redo mine).

2. Where did you pick up the wheels ? And what do you need as hardware, bearings etc?
Wheels are a set of replacement rollerblade wheels that come with bearings and inserts. for axles I used a piece of 1/4" threaded rod - this way you can cut the axles to fit the holders and use a 1/4" bolt on either side of the wheel and 2 countersunk on the outside of the wheel holder.

3. Did you pick up the locking nobs from like Ace Hardware or something?
Exactly, they are plastic nobs that fit on allen bolts (1/4"). Underneath the base I used these nuts that have a 1/4" receptor and are threaded on the outside so you can screw them into wood and countersink them.

4. How does the laserpointer aid in the wheel calibration? and the crosshairs? Do you have the mount at an angle already?
If you look at the pstechnik site you will see the use of the laserpointer. You put it over the wheel at 90 degrees and pick a spot on your subject and align the rotation to it. I fyou do this with all the wheels then they are all at 90degrees to the same point and will rotate around it. The pointer has more of a cross than cross hairs, by this I mean that at 6ft you would get a 4ft laser cross on a wall. So basically you line up the vertical line with your subject, no need for a tilt mechanism on the pointer.

5. Is that a camera quick release on top ? How will you connect cam to mount?
It's a bogen quick release plate
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...566&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Almost forgot - DON'T paint inside the wheel surrounds or the outside of the wheel holders, they will stick every time you try to move them. I had to sand the paint off again - lesson learned.
Good luck,
Shane.
 
LowDown

That is correct. DO NOT PAINT the insides of the wheel mount holder or those that get in contact with each other. For these moving parts, the wood must be smoothly sanded and through time and constant use it will smoothen some more.
 
Very cool teddy, your really have a nack for these things. Man I wish I had that kind of commitment to detail.
 
Shane,

Thanks for answering those questions. I think your design concepts certainly added a lot to the end result. One final question, where did you pick up the plastic and is it a paticular type and how did you fit it to the platform?

I'm so excited about this project. What would you all say that it cost in materials? Certainly not 5k like those other skaters. I think that the technik stuff is grea but who can afford to buy that. My friend bought there adatper for the XL1 a couple of years ago and he paid over 10K for it. Now, Teddy will be making one for a fraction of that.. and so have many other people too.


Take care and let's continue to post our findings. I know I'm all thumbs with woodworking so I'll be able to give everyone a humorous account of my attempts at this baby...

Finally, I checked at B and H and they have a lot of really nice inexpensive ball mounts for sale. I saw a great one rated for 14 pounds and it's like 50 bucks. As Teddy pointed out, with this you can do dutch angles and actual camera pans and moves while tracking. Anyone else planning on getting a ballmount? Seems like the easiest solution for me and it's one that I can take off and on and use for other things.


Man... ya got to love the internet and resourceful people. I'm looking forward to Ted's light design and his focus adapter. Anyone else working on a secret prototype?



J
 
Justyn said:
Shane,

"Thanks for answering those questions. I think your design concepts certainly added a lot to the end result. One final question, where did you pick up the plastic and is it a paticular type and how did you fit it to the platform?"

The plastic's not really important it's just to cover the printouts of the dials which I printed on photo paper. I got it at the hardware store.

" I'm so excited about this project. What would you all say that it cost in materials? Certainly not 5k like those other skaters."

I guess about $150

"Finally, I checked at B and H and they have a lot of really nice inexpensive ball mounts for sale. I saw a great one rated for 14 pounds and it's like 50 bucks. As Teddy pointed out, with this you can do dutch angles and actual camera pans and moves while tracking. Anyone else planning on getting a ballmount? Seems like the easiest solution for me and it's one that I can take off and on and use for other things."

I'd say that you could use a ball mount as long as you put a mark on the board as to where 0 degrees is. You would want to treat the skater and camera as one piece so that the tracking aligns correctly.

Glad to be of help,
Shane.
Also, check out A&E's "Rollergirls" shot with SDX900's and DVX100a's - I was the DP
let me know what you think.
Click to expand...
 
DJ Lewis, the only thing I found on page 5 was the .jpg file. How can I print the real size plan from that pic? Do you have the corel draw file teddy talks about in one of those step-by-step photo board?

Thanks!
 
gumonstro, Shane pointed out that he blew up the jpg to the proper size. But if this will not work for you, Justyn is supposed to have the design broken down in to printable sections (according to teddybear). Hope that helps...
 
Yes. I do have some high res 8.5 x 11 inch Tiffs. A total of 8 files for about 15 megs. Does anyone have the ability to host them online? Or if not, I could just email them to you. Post ya email and I'll send it off later today.

Shane, when does Rollergirls air? Or is it possible to download or check it out somewhere else? I'll certainly check it out!

I do have some HVX footage to post tonight. I think you guys will really be pleased with this camera onboard lens. I got some great narrow DOF but man the focus is so critical. Without that focus assist I think it would be impossible unless you had an external monitor.


Everyone keep this thread going and hope you'll have a great day!


Justyn
 
Shane,

Also forgot.. Congrats on Texas winning. I really had a great time in Austin when I was there. I had an old film prof who lived there for a while and worked with Rodriguez, Linkletter and Lee Daniels... who I thought was the coolest.


Congrats and let's check out some chicks on skates!


J
 
Thanks DJ Lewis. I already sent him a PM. Anyway, do you know what is the "proper size", the exact scale? I can try to blow the jpeg too. Thanks again!
 
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