What size wheels and bearings for a dolly with tracks

C

CameronMcC

Well-known member
Gathering parts. WOndering if anyone had suggestions on a certain size skateboard wheel or bearings. Planning on using 16 wheels, 4 for each corner, running on either PVC or metal rails. Figured i would just get some unmarked wheels off ebay with bearings, unless someone has a better suggestion.
 
The larger the wheel the more smooth it can run over bumps and joints... I used 72mm for my mini dolly http://vimeo.com/6331452... and I am making a bigger one with larger "scooter" wheels - I am eager to see the difference. I had too much weight on the mini with a tripod and jib - needed to make a heavier duty version...
 
very cool. I'm planning on using the multi wheel design that staggers two on each side of a frame with 16 wheels in total. I've seen people using large 72mm in line skate wheels and flat classic skate wheels as well as most skateboard types in between
 
I got an amazing deal at skate-buys.com. I think it was $18 for 16 wheels shipped with bearings. They're not THE best, but they've worked great so far and my dolly is heavy steel and can carry 3 people easily, total weight est around 400 lbs. I've been meaning to get another 16 or 32 and put them on but I haven't felt the need.
 
just go to Goodwill, that's where I get wheels for all my projects. Usually they have a variety of sizes and you can get a ton of them for next to nothing.

I used skateboard wheels for my dolly and rollerblade wheels for everything else.
 
Well if I were to make it I would only put two wheels, don't think the four on each are nessisary. Google "camera dolly" and go to images and you will find the vast majority of professional dollys are using eight, but that's up to you. I'm just suggesting a cheap easy way to do it which gets just as good results.

Good luck though! Nice to see more people DIY

Edit: Looking at those images I'm going to take that back...seems about even wether they use 8 or 16...again up to you, but I don't think 16 does anything more than add weight and resistance.
 
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i've got 16 on mines, just built it out of my own design (in my head on the fly). I used the swivel castors so that it would go around a tight track. Its a doorway sized dolly, with a tower and a 2man bench seat, so all the extra support it could get the better.
sorry about the ugly picture from my cell phone. I'm sure that our new 7D will take care of that!!!!lol!!
dollypic.jpg
 
CameronMcC said:
yah look forward to a better look at it. what kind of jib is attached?
Click to expand...

Yeah, when I get back to the city I'll get a chance to play around with our new 7d and snap some pics. I built that Jib out of a dream that I had about one. I just hopped up and sketched out the design in the middle of the night, actually saw it in a dream. I didn't even use any plans, just a sketch and a bunch of trips to the hardware store.
 
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