Pnuematic tire or western dollies? at DVinfo.net

Alan Galbraith · June 1st, 2005, 01:59 PM

anyone got a cheap source?

build my own?

pics?

Does DVrigs have plans?

Alan Galbraith · June 1st, 2005, 02:51 PM

here is a real cheap alternative....

not optimal perhaps.... but usable.

will check one out at HB today.

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

metal version

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38137

might not a GREAT dolly, but it would help with my problem of wanting to move my crane from place to place without breaking it down.

if you practiced enough, ya might be able to use it as a trackless dolly.

Dan Selakovich · June 2nd, 2005, 08:02 AM

Hi Alan,

Go with the Harbor Freight wood platform. The metal will vibrate too much.

Keep in mind when using a tire dolly, that unless the surface you'll be working on is smooth, you'll have to lay down sheets of plywood for a dolly surface. If it's just a little bumpy, you might be able to get away with letting air out of the tires a bit, but this will make it harder to pull.

There will be a tire dolly in "Killer Camera Rigs, Volume 2". All four wheels will have the option to crab, running boards, seat, etc. But I'm afraid it won't be out until near Christmas. The dolly in Volume 1 rides on rails. Given the large size of tire dollies, hauling around big sheets of plywood, etc., is there a specific reason you want to go that route?

Dan Selakovich
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Alan Galbraith · June 2nd, 2005, 09:02 AM

will post a pic later tonight...

not so much uses as a dolly, as a transport system for my Kessler 8 foot crane.

easier to roll it around than carry it.

Dan Selakovich · June 2nd, 2005, 09:51 AM

Ah! No doubt!

Dan

Bill Ball · June 2nd, 2005, 10:50 AM

I got one of that type of garden wagons to experiment with before giving it my kids.

It wont work as a camera dolly even with a smooth surface (such as plywood) because of the knobby tires and the amount of slop in the axels/steering gear.

Of course you can use it for transport. But, especially for a crane, I would be worried about the lack of locking wheels. You dont want it to start rolling while you are at the other end of the crane or have your back turned. I would find something with at least one pair of locking wheels--some sort of service or industrial cart.

I have found it useful (with my homebuilt crane and skateboard dolly) to mount the crane on the dolly and swing the crane head while rolling back and forth on the dolly. It lets you get pretty close to the effect of a dolly on circular track without needing the special track. So you might want to get a more suitable dolly and keep your creative options open.

By the way, how are the Kessler cranes?

Alan Galbraith · June 3rd, 2005, 10:56 AM

Kessler crane is a nice rig. no flex when mounted with my JVC DV500 and counter weights.

there is a slight "bounce" to it at the end of shots, but if you are careful this can be avoided. Its probably more operator error than anything. I've yet to try the crane out with my Sony VX1000, so I dont know it its less prononced with a lighter camera. It would seeeeeem like it would be, but only a real test will tell.

either way, with a steady hand its not really an issue, just something to be aware of.

I went with the ball bearing upgrade.

Nicely made, decent price... two thumbs up.

June 1st, 2005, 01:59 PM	#1
Alan Galbraith Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 98	Pnuematic tire or western dollies? anyone got a cheap source? build my own? pics? Does DVrigs have plans?

June 1st, 2005, 02:51 PM	#2
Alan Galbraith Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 98	here is a real cheap alternative.... not optimal perhaps.... but usable. will check one out at HB today. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37320 metal version http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38137 might not a GREAT dolly, but it would help with my problem of wanting to move my crane from place to place without breaking it down. if you practiced enough, ya might be able to use it as a trackless dolly.

June 2nd, 2005, 08:02 AM	#3
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	Hi Alan, Go with the Harbor Freight wood platform. The metal will vibrate too much. Keep in mind when using a tire dolly, that unless the surface you'll be working on is smooth, you'll have to lay down sheets of plywood for a dolly surface. If it's just a little bumpy, you might be able to get away with letting air out of the tires a bit, but this will make it harder to pull. There will be a tire dolly in "Killer Camera Rigs, Volume 2". All four wheels will have the option to crab, running boards, seat, etc. But I'm afraid it won't be out until near Christmas. The dolly in Volume 1 rides on rails. Given the large size of tire dollies, hauling around big sheets of plywood, etc., is there a specific reason you want to go that route? Dan Selakovich www.DVcameraRigs.com

June 2nd, 2005, 09:02 AM	#4
Alan Galbraith Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 98	will post a pic later tonight... not so much uses as a dolly, as a transport system for my Kessler 8 foot crane. easier to roll it around than carry it.

June 2nd, 2005, 09:51 AM	#5
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	Ah! No doubt! Dan

June 2nd, 2005, 10:50 AM	#6
Bill Ball Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 216	I got one of that type of garden wagons to experiment with before giving it my kids. It wont work as a camera dolly even with a smooth surface (such as plywood) because of the knobby tires and the amount of slop in the axels/steering gear. Of course you can use it for transport. But, especially for a crane, I would be worried about the lack of locking wheels. You dont want it to start rolling while you are at the other end of the crane or have your back turned. I would find something with at least one pair of locking wheels--some sort of service or industrial cart. I have found it useful (with my homebuilt crane and skateboard dolly) to mount the crane on the dolly and swing the crane head while rolling back and forth on the dolly. It lets you get pretty close to the effect of a dolly on circular track without needing the special track. So you might want to get a more suitable dolly and keep your creative options open. By the way, how are the Kessler cranes?

June 3rd, 2005, 10:56 AM	#7
Alan Galbraith Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 98	Kessler crane is a nice rig. no flex when mounted with my JVC DV500 and counter weights. there is a slight "bounce" to it at the end of shots, but if you are careful this can be avoided. Its probably more operator error than anything. I've yet to try the crane out with my Sony VX1000, so I dont know it its less prononced with a lighter camera. It would seeeeeem like it would be, but only a real test will tell. either way, with a steady hand its not really an issue, just something to be aware of. I went with the ball bearing upgrade. Nicely made, decent price... two thumbs up.