Static balance question at DVinfo.net

Mike Cook · January 1st, 2006, 05:59 PM

The sled is a Glidecam 4000 pro with a PD150 on top. Drop is set to 2 to 2 1/2 seconds.

First I get the static balance perfect in both axis with the sled on a stand. Now, if I rotate the post 180 degrees the sled goes out of static balance. The camera goes nose low. The bottom of the sled moves about 1/2 inch aft.

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't this mean something with the gimbal is not right? I seems to me that a bearing must be slightly offset of center to cause this.

Or am I missing something?

Mike

Mikko Wilson · January 1st, 2006, 06:03 PM

Mike,
unfortunatly you are correct, it means that the gimbel is out of alignment.

Is it a new Glidecam? Do you have the chance to replace it easily?

- Mikko

Mike Cook · January 1st, 2006, 06:07 PM

Good question, I think I will ask Glidecam that very thing.

Mike

John Steele · January 1st, 2006, 06:12 PM

Mike, this is a known problem, the following link should help you sort it out.

http://www.pingpongcams.com/glidecam..._gimbal/6.html

The reason for the balance problem is due to the Gimbal yoke being a punched and bent part and not a machined part, the tolerances aren't as precise so can cause the balance to be inconsistent. Luckily though it is a very easy fix.

I've done this on a previous system so any questions just ask :)

John.

Mike Cook · January 1st, 2006, 06:22 PM

Damn I love these forums. I am attending a seminar on Saturday and was not happy about showing up with a bum rig. Off to tinker with it, I will post the results.

Thanks sooo much for the link

Mike

Mike Cook · January 1st, 2006, 07:06 PM

Hey, where did you get the super thin shims? All I have around is washers and I need something thinner.

Mike

Mikko Wilson · January 1st, 2006, 07:16 PM

One trick that works is to bery carefully vut them from the metal of a soda can.

- Mikko

Mike Cook · January 1st, 2006, 08:37 PM

tried it, aluminum is too soft.

Mike

John Steele · January 2nd, 2006, 08:49 AM

Hi Mike, I just got the thinest I could find from my local hardware store. I did try a few different ones before I found the right size.

John.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Cook

tried it, aluminum is too soft.

Mike

Mike Cook · January 2nd, 2006, 03:34 PM

The shim thing worked.

Now, here's the interesting bit. You can buy .1 and .2 mm shims at bike shops. They use them for shimming the disk brakes on mountain bikes.

Just for future reference.

Mike

January 1st, 2006, 05:59 PM	#1
Mike Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland OR Posts: 190	Static balance question The sled is a Glidecam 4000 pro with a PD150 on top. Drop is set to 2 to 2 1/2 seconds. First I get the static balance perfect in both axis with the sled on a stand. Now, if I rotate the post 180 degrees the sled goes out of static balance. The camera goes nose low. The bottom of the sled moves about 1/2 inch aft. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't this mean something with the gimbal is not right? I seems to me that a bearing must be slightly offset of center to cause this. Or am I missing something? Mike

January 1st, 2006, 06:03 PM	#2
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Mike, unfortunatly you are correct, it means that the gimbel is out of alignment. Is it a new Glidecam? Do you have the chance to replace it easily? - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

January 1st, 2006, 07:16 PM	#7
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	One trick that works is to bery carefully vut them from the metal of a soda can. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

January 1st, 2006, 06:07 PM	#3
Mike Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland OR Posts: 190	Good question, I think I will ask Glidecam that very thing. Mike

January 1st, 2006, 06:12 PM	#4
John Steele Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 216	Mike, this is a known problem, the following link should help you sort it out. http://www.pingpongcams.com/glidecam..._gimbal/6.html The reason for the balance problem is due to the Gimbal yoke being a punched and bent part and not a machined part, the tolerances aren't as precise so can cause the balance to be inconsistent. Luckily though it is a very easy fix. I've done this on a previous system so any questions just ask :) John.

January 1st, 2006, 06:22 PM	#5
Mike Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland OR Posts: 190	Damn I love these forums. I am attending a seminar on Saturday and was not happy about showing up with a bum rig. Off to tinker with it, I will post the results. Thanks sooo much for the link Mike

January 1st, 2006, 07:06 PM	#6
Mike Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland OR Posts: 190	Hey, where did you get the super thin shims? All I have around is washers and I need something thinner. Mike

January 1st, 2006, 08:37 PM	#8
Mike Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland OR Posts: 190	tried it, aluminum is too soft. Mike

January 2nd, 2006, 03:34 PM	#10
Mike Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland OR Posts: 190	The shim thing worked. Now, here's the interesting bit. You can buy .1 and .2 mm shims at bike shops. They use them for shimming the disk brakes on mountain bikes. Just for future reference. Mike