DIY Jib : How do you create Pan Head? at DVinfo.net

Dan Jones · June 20th, 2010, 10:03 PM

I get how to make a jib head that can tilt...

This idea: http://tinyurl.com/28m4zbj seems easy enough to create in a DIY environment,
but how do you get a nice smooth pan-action on top of this?

A lazy-susan/wheel bearing that the camera sits on like this: http://tinyurl.com/26cfwvz
set up 90 degrees to how it looks in this pic - where the wheels lie horizontally across
the top of the main beam and 'turn' the camera left/right seems plausible in theory.

Can anyone point out a link to a neat, DIY jib with pan and tilt??
Ive seen you tube vids of overly complex solutions with bike cables that look like
Rube Goldberg devices. Any simpler designs out there?

Thanks

Edward Carlson · June 20th, 2010, 11:35 PM

The simplest design, in terms of durability and function, is a motor driven head. Unfortunately that takes experience in electronics that most people don't have. The problem with having that same wheel solution for pan is that the cables would have to stay attached to the wheel as it tilts, which is only possible if you use bike cables (as you have found out.) The problem with bike cables is that they have limited travel.
I have been searching for a DIY remote head as well, and I have settled on a motorized one using a computer joystick and a motor controller for RC robots. I have enough electronics experience that I am comfortable building it. I'm not going off of any plan on the internet, as there seems to be a lack of useful ones.

June 20th, 2010, 10:03 PM	#1
Dan Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 34	DIY Jib : How do you create Pan Head? I get how to make a jib head that can tilt... This idea: http://tinyurl.com/28m4zbj seems easy enough to create in a DIY environment, but how do you get a nice smooth pan-action on top of this? A lazy-susan/wheel bearing that the camera sits on like this: http://tinyurl.com/26cfwvz set up 90 degrees to how it looks in this pic - where the wheels lie horizontally across the top of the main beam and 'turn' the camera left/right seems plausible in theory. Can anyone point out a link to a neat, DIY jib with pan and tilt?? Ive seen you tube vids of overly complex solutions with bike cables that look like Rube Goldberg devices. Any simpler designs out there? Thanks

June 20th, 2010, 11:35 PM	#2
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	The simplest design, in terms of durability and function, is a motor driven head. Unfortunately that takes experience in electronics that most people don't have. The problem with having that same wheel solution for pan is that the cables would have to stay attached to the wheel as it tilts, which is only possible if you use bike cables (as you have found out.) The problem with bike cables is that they have limited travel. I have been searching for a DIY remote head as well, and I have settled on a motorized one using a computer joystick and a motor controller for RC robots. I have enough electronics experience that I am comfortable building it. I'm not going off of any plan on the internet, as there seems to be a lack of useful ones.