Dolly, cart, hand truck for video? (Pic included!)
 

Hi,
Does anyone know where I can buy something like the unit pictured in the link below?

http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/sn...g/13029_bg.jpg

I have been looking unsuccessfully for anything similar at B&H, Home Depot, and all over the internet. I guess part of the problem is I don't know quite what these things are called. I would like one of these for some basic moving dolly shots. It needs to have semi-large air inflated tires inorder to absorb some of the bumps in the ground.

Any help, ideas, or links are appriciated. Thanks!

Scott,
I believe that what you're looking for is commonly called a "platform truck". There are oodles available. Here's one place.

For use as a camera dolly you'll probably want to find one with large wheels, perhaps even air-filled.

Hmm well that narrows it down a little, but I still couldn't find exactly what I am looking for. I need something more like the one pictured, large wheels, and seemingly built for this sort of thing. All the platform trucks I saw had smaller wheels and were built for transporting 2,500 pounds of stuff. If anyone has one of these or has seen one before, it would be very helpful if you could share your information with me! Thanks!

you could make one for next to nuthing, harborfreight.com for the wheels

John,
Thank you very much for that link! I found the wheels you were talking about, and for an extra $10 I can buy an entire wagon with 4 wheels. Thats perfect! I could easily make a few modifications to the wagon with some plywood and screws and I would have the perfect dolly for about $50. Thanks a million!

Here is the link to the wagon for anyone else who is interested:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=1541

glad I could help!

Avoid the labor- this same vendor has a wagon with a 48" x 24" plywood bed.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37320

1000 lbs. capacity + 10" tires. I'm amazed they can sell it so cheap ($89.99).

Here's another interesting one.

Has anyone actually used any of these knobby tired dollies? It seems like they would do a pretty decent job and roll fairly smoothly, but does anyone have any actual hands on experience shooting with one?

You read my mind, Imran... I'm wondering about the knobby tires, too. I've been trying to think what items use smooth over-inflated tires, but can't think of any.

Anyone have any ideas?

John (Locke),
I looked at the link there for those axles with "build your own wagon". That seems like it would be ideal for what I am going for as far as price and function go. However, the only thing that worries me is that on the site they say "12in. between wheels". I assume this means the axle is only 1 foot wide between the wheels. This is not enough distance to properly stabilize a "flatbed" that might be between 2 or 3 feet wide. It would tip over very easily. I think the one that Marc linked us to would be a little more stable because there is more distance between the wheels.

As far as knobby tires go, I never even considered that. It seems to me though that after a little use the traction might get worn down and the ride would become a bit smoother.

Thanks for all your input everyone!

Scott,

Thanks for pointing out the axle width... I didn't notice that.

It would take a long, long time to get the knobby tires to wear down...and require constant use. The knobbies do make a difference. Recently, I attached my camera to my bike handlebars using a superclamp. It was pretty smooth, but you could see the vibration caused by my knobby tires. I clamped it onto a friend's bike with smooth, underinflated tires, and the difference was easy to see. Smoooth.

On a very unrelated note, I was wondering how you do the in-text linking like you did John for the "another interesting one." I have been trying to do that is these forums for awhile now and can't seem to get it. I know the HTML code to do it, but html isn't enabled here. Help? Thanks!

<a href="http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&amp;langId=-1&amp;catalogId=4006970&amp;PHOTOS=on&amp;TEST=Y&amp;productId=427456&amp;categoryId=119" target="_blank">another interesting one.</a>

I think maybe to wear down the knobbies, a dremel tool, or a electric sander? That might speed things up a bit.

Scott,

Surround your linked text with the following code (delete the space I've added to be able to show you):

[ url=pastelinkhere]Linked text[ /url]

See the two spaces? Just delete those and you're in business.