Steady Cam.....NOT Steadicam

It's a fairly cheep one from Northern Tools. I've been doing this type of work for most of my life and previously worked someplace where a machinist taught me the correct way to use these machines, just beware they can be very dangerous, don't wear gloves around a milling machine, trust me I had a close call a few years ago. Good luck.
 
Mikko, I took your advice and changed the spring location, I also shortened up each section by 5 inches, I looked at some others and mine was way too long, after I did this I didn't need the extra braces or extra springs. Thanks for your advice. I'll post some pictures when I get the vest built.
 
I see 2 issues with it. First off, i'm wary of the strength of those plastic parts. I think they may very well break under load.
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The plastic is great. Great job PMP.

For anyone that wants to know, it really is much stronger than it looks and machines well. Ounce per ounce it is far easier to fatigue and break aluminum than to do the same to poly or nylon. One thing to be careful of with plastic is the type of tap used to cut threads. Black oxide taps stick to the plastic and reduce the thread material as they are cut. Use a chrome or HHS tap when tapping plastic or they are not likely to hold a screw well. Also, plastic is more flexible so thicker pieces need to be used to reduce twisting. This looks very sturdy.

Is that nylon, UHMW, or UHD poly? I notice that you countersunk your bearings into the plastic... did you try without bearings first?
 
Thanks, I think it is UHMW but not exactly sure, I got it from mcmaster carr I'll have to look. I actually tried it with bearings before it was just to short and twisted so I made it longer and doubled the bearings and like I said it is rock solid now. I didn't tap it bit put the bolts all the way thru with nuts on the other sides. I agree about the aluminum fatigue, depending on where you use it. The one key to these arms I found out was to use bearings. I'm using flanged bushings now, but when you fold the arms and compress you get some unnessary resistance from the brass bushings that you wouldn't get with bearings. I may have to change that when I'm done.

Here's a little footage from the sled again, hopefully I'll be able to kick ass with the whole setup.

http://www.pmpworks.com/garnew2.mov

yes, once again an unpaid actor..... oh well.
 
pmpworks said:
Here's a little footage from the sled again, hopefully I'll be able to kick ass with the whole setup.

http://www.pmpworks.com/garnew2.mov

yes, once again an unpaid actor..... oh well.
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Hey now that looked really good!

There was a bit of a wobble at the start and towards the end, and it wasn't really the best footage to test stability in general. But over all that was a great clip! I love the look your actor's face as he follows you around him! :grin:

Really good lighting too.

- Mikko
 
"don't wear gloves around a milling machine, trust me I had a close call a few years ago. Good luck."


Thanks for the heads up! :) I just got into it, I bought the micro mill for now. I'm planning on buying the CNC for it, but I'm wanting to learn the machine manually first. Any more pointers would be great!
 
Hey now that looked really good!

There was a bit of a wobble at the start and towards the end, and it wasn't really the best footage to test stability in general. But over all that was a great clip! I love the look your actor's face as he follows you around him! :grin:

Really good lighting too.
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Thanks, I'm really starting to learn alot about lighting a scene, still alot to learn.

Any more pointers would be great!
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Always use cutting oil, even on aluminum it will save those mills, and drills. Go slow and don't try to cut out too much material at once, if you do your bit will start screaming and eventually snap off (for example to make a slot you need to make numerous passes, don't push the mill bit all the way thru when starting, just set stops at the ends so you don't change the slots length for each pass). Always wear safety glasses... even when doing plastic material. BTW you don't need cutting oil for plastic but I really would prefer to use aluminum for everything. One advantage to plastic is you don't have to be exact for press fit bearings because it will give a little. Measure twice and mill once. And Always wear safety glasses. Oh yea don't let any kids play around it they might try and drill a hole in their head or something crazy like that.
 
"Always use cutting oil, even on aluminum it will save those mills, and drills."

Any oil in particular?



"Go slow and don't try to cut out too much material at once, if you do your bit will start screaming and eventually snap off (for example to make a slot you need to make numerous passes, don't push the mill bit all the way thru when starting, just set stops at the ends so you don't change the slots length for each pass)."


Awesome, I was just asking a guy about this. Thanks





Do you have any DVD or tutorials that you could direct me to?


Thanks alot for taking out the time to explain this stuff for me (there's only so much on the internet that can be found), yea I've been told from everyone to wear glasses, and I do. Alright I'll let you get back to your thread and hope to have something soon to show. :)
 
I use Osborn cutting oil just because that's what we have at work, any cutting oil should work alright for you. I don't have any tutorials but I'm sure you could look on google and find something. Thanks.
 
New updates to arm: Shortened length by about 5 inches on each section, drilled holes in arms to lighten the load, installed flanged bushings in the ends of all the arms to make for much smoother action, and also moved the spring location (per Mikko) to get a smoother motion. The arm seems to really move much better. I've been looking at alot of video's from HBS to see the type of motion I should be getting from the arm, and I think I got it pretty close.

Thanks

http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/modarm001.jpg

http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/modarm002.jpg

http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/modarm003.jpg

http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/modarm004.jpg

http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/modarm005.jpg

http://www.pmpworks.com/fixed/modarm006.jpg
 
Thanks, tested the weight of my cam and the sled and it seems like I shouldn't have any probs. Thanks
 
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