Thanks.

How long does it take to set up the entire rig, from unpacking to shooting?

That particular rig used to take me about 15 minutes to set up properly.

Be aware that it takes a full understanding of the sled and a lot of practice before speed is achieved in setting it up.

Cody

Well, my friend is done giving me a time quote. I gave him both books, the regular cody designs stabilzer build and the one with the upgraded arm. Basically he calculated the time it would take to make one of these things in its aprox 120 Hours. Its not as easy as it looks, it is VERY intensive work and would take aprox 1 month to have a few manufactured. That's not even adding the cost of materials, he told me that if someone came up to him and had him do this he would charge at least a min of $2,500 per piece. Im still waiting for the price quote, as he is waiting for a few more parts of material to get pricing on. But yes, this is VERY labor intesive work, I can't imagine anyone doing this on their own spare time. I can see why people spend 6 months to 1 year to complete this project. Again, this is also using CODY's latest arm design. Looking at the way he was talking and telling me things I highly doubt this will cost under 1K like stated in the main page. I received that quote from him when he saw the unit visually on CODY's website, but after seeing all the work that needed to be done its not looking so good. Anyhow, I will know the answer by tonight or tomorrow morning. If I were to take a guess on how much this will cost I would say $1,500 at least... Regardless if anybody still wants in I will keep you guys posted on the progress of mine. Shoot, I already spent $80.00 on both books im not backing out now.

With the price that high and the build time that long, will you be taking deposits and then intermediate and final payments?

Armando, if it is $1500 then count me in.

<<<-- Originally posted by David Yuen : With the price that high and the build time that long, will you be taking deposits and then intermediate and final payments? -->>>

Yes, again IM trying to finalize the price but waiting on 2 material prices to get everything squared away. The more people the better of course because the 120hours will be divided by X amount of units built. As far as a deposit goes, I think a small amount of $100.00 is fine and than the remaining balance when the unit is built. And you can pay in person the remaining balance(actually preferred by me, that way I don't have to ship it) I will be taking pictures soon of the factory that will be building these units so you guys can see what machines will be used, materials and what not.

<<<-- Originally posted by Roger Moore : Armando, if it is $1500 then count me in. -->>>

Cool, I already have 4 people interested including yourself on this so this will help keep the cost down. I think 5-10 units will be a fair amount and we should get good prices. But believe me, its A LOT OF WORK! And those who have actually done one of these things can testify it isn't "a walk in the park".

<<<-- Originally posted by Armando Ferreira :
Yes, again IM trying to finalize the price but waiting on 2 material prices to get everything squared away. The more people the better of course because the 120hours will be divided by X amount of units built. As far as a deposit goes, I think a small amount of $100.00 is fine and than the remaining balance when the unit is built. And you can pay in person the remaining balance(actually preferred by me, that way I don't have to ship it) I will be taking pictures soon of the factory that will be building these units so you guys can see what machines will be used, materials and what not. -->>>

I am interested but I can't let it go far beyond $1500. Regrettably, I won't be able to pay or pickup in person as I am on the other side of the continent.

<<<---I am interested but I can't let it go far beyond $1500. Regrettably, I won't be able to pay or pickup in person as I am on the other side of the continent. -->>>

That's another thing I have to factor in also is shipping, i need to find out weight of the unit, at this point Im thinking I don't want to ship out of the country... It might be to much of a hassle.

How far are you from Huntington Beach?

When and how would you like the $100 deposit?

Thanks,
Mel

<<<-- Originally posted by Mel Williams : How far are you from Huntington Beach?

When and how would you like the $100 deposit?

Thanks,
Mel -->>>

Crazy, your about 5-10 minutes away. The warehouse is in Fountain Valley off the 405 and Euclid. However you want to do the deposit.

I work at Jamboree and the 405.

I pass Euclid on the way home from work.

What's your phone number at the warehouse? I'll drop by after work sometime. I usually get off work pretty late (7-8pm). If you're at the warehouse late one day, I'll drop off the deposit.

thanks,
Mel

<<<-- Originally posted by Mel Williams : I work at Jamboree and the 405.

I pass Euclid on the way home from work.

What's your phone number at the warehouse? I'll drop by after work sometime. I usually get off work pretty late (7-8pm). If you're at the warehouse late one day, I'll drop off the deposit.

thanks,
Mel -->>>

What's your E-mail Ill give you my CELL Phone.

To attract more buyers, please see if there is an unassembled price for those who have expressed an interest in putting it together themselves. The price will be lower for them and more buyers lowers the overall cost for everyone.

Good idea David. Armando, I realise the resistance to overseas buyers, but if it's at all possible I'd like to know the cost of shipping etc

Cheers
Aaron

Armando... have you got any solid numbers for us yet?

Cody... if you were to compare your design to an existing steady-cam, which would it be... and I'm also wondering how many years you've been a steady-cam operator (or been practicing)?

<<<-- Originally posted by Matt Gettemeier : Armando... have you got any solid numbers for us yet?

Cody... if you were to compare your design to an existing steady-cam, which would it be... and I'm also wondering how many years you've been a steady-cam operator (or been practicing)? -->>>

The material guy that was supposed to call him back on Friday never did. He will call him tomorrow (Monday) so I will know by Tomorrow. Also, by the consumer putting it together will SAVE money. Puting it together is a WHOLE other project in its own, this will be good because will force people to buy CODY's book and should be fair for everyone. I'll talk to you guys tomorrow.

Well, finally got the last quotation on the parts and its going to be WAY expensive for this project. Aside from being a very labor intensive project, this requires a lot of little parts that add to the cost. For example alan screws, you have to buy a box of 50pcs for $16.00 when you only need 4pcs. This adds to the cost of materials and begins to skyrocket in price little by little. Im going to take it to another manufacture, he is not really a personal friend but I have done business with him MANY times and want to get a second opinion. As of now the project is on STANDBY, it needs to be cost effective for this to go through or else we can all just go purchase a $2,000 unit. The whole purpose of this is to reduce cost by at least 50% so we can all benefit. Again, I will keep you guys posted as promised. IT will probably be at least 1 week for me to get another quote from this new manufacture. They might have more of these odd pieces laying around.

Thanks for your patience

No, we thank YOU for doing all that leg work for us.

A very interesting thread! - Definatly a good idea.

Also (not to discount the project, which I see as a good one) this is also working as a good demonstration as to why these things cost so damn much!
Most people scoff at the cost of, say, a Steadicam Ultra ($66,000) -"Oh i could get one built for under $10k I'm sure" - but you can see how quickly all these little things ad up!

- Mikko

The reason I asked Cody which rig he would compare his design to is 'cause I used a Glidecam V16 for a few days and it was okay... but I wasn't compelled to buy one...

I got the impression that after a YEAR or so I may have been able to get what I wanted out of the V16... but it was hard to make a judgement. I suspect that a lot of guys on here think that just buying the steadycam will solve the problem, but it's just like a good mic. It 'aint sh*t unless you use it like a professional.

I'm HOPING that the Cody design is more forgiving then the V16 was...

I'm interested as well if the price is around $1200 and if I had it in my garage no later than August 1, 2005. If this goes through, I'll buy Cody's book as well even though he stated it wasn't necessary.

Kevin

Armando... I know I haven't emailed you yet to swap numbers... but what's the latest scoop? I'll be in your neighborhood in 4 days...

... or is this fun little idea dead?

Armando... I know I haven't emailed you yet to swap numbers... but what's the latest scoop? I'll be in your neighborhood in 4 days...

... or is this fun little idea dead?

Sorry, I haven't had a chance to take it to the new manufacture. I will take it this week. Shoot me an E-mail when you get a chance.

I'm going to have to bail out of the potential group buy. I have a friend who is going to build one for me!!! Good luck to you all.

Kevin

A very interesting thread! - Definatly a good idea.

Also (not to discount the project, which I see as a good one) this is also working as a good demonstration as to why these things cost so damn much!
Most people scoff at the cost of, say, a Steadicam Ultra ($66,000) -"Oh i could get one built for under $10k I'm sure" - but you can see how quickly all these little things ad up!

- Mikko

Yeah, the thing is that you have to buy that $66,000 to copy or duplicate something like that. And chances are nobody will buy one to replicated it. The profit on that thing must be INSANE!! Heck, all you have to do is just sell one a year. I can't see a system costing more than a vehicle, heck I'll take a FULLY LOAED BMW M3 for that price!

I'm going to have to bail out of the potential group buy. I have a friend who is going to build one for me!!! Good luck to you all.

Kevin

No worries, Im going there tomorrow to drop off the books and start again with the quotation. Hopefully everything goes good! pricing will be available in a few days now probably early next week.

Yeah, the thing is that you have to buy that $66,000 to copy or duplicate something like that. And chances are nobody will buy one to replicated it. The profit on that thing must be INSANE!! Heck, all you have to do is just sell one a year. I can't see a system costing more than a vehicle, heck I'll take a FULLY LOAED BMW M3 for that price!

Hi Armando,

Return to the old topic I started, there are patents on ultra package which Tiffen won't let you copy or duplicate for your goodness. I guess that Tiffen has enough resource for that legal purpose.

Anyway, one patent may cost millions of dollar to research and develop. This money spent must be earned back through selling products. There is no such thing as a free lunch. The DVD maybe cost one dollar to manufacture, but <The Lord of the Rings> on the DVD on the shelf of video shop may cost you $77.98.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000654ZK0/qid=1114039437/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-1841872-8347856?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

Regards
Leigh

I want a friend who'll build a Cody rig for ME... all I have is a friend that did a mosaic of me on my garage floor using 1/8" tiles... in full color.

I doubt he'd be willing to go to the trouble to build me a Cody rig though...

Hi Armando,

Return to the old topic I started, there are patents on ultra package which Tiffen won't let you copy or duplicate for your goodness. I guess that Tiffen has enough resource for that legal purpose.

Anyway, one patent may cost millions of dollar to research and develop. This money spent must be earned back through selling products. There is no such thing as a free lunch. The DVD maybe cost one dollar to manufacture, but <The Lord of the Rings> on the DVD on the shelf of video shop may cost you $77.98.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000654ZK0/qid=1114039437/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-1841872-8347856?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

Regards
Leigh

HEHE, believe me I have no interest in "copying" their design. And even if they had no patents, I have better things to invest $66K in. But I do understand that R&D cost money.

No worries, Im going there tomorrow to drop off the books and start again with the quotation. Hopefully everything goes good! pricing will be available in a few days now probably early next week.

Okay, sounds good!

Let me know, I may be in depending on price

Let me know, I may be in depending on price

Hi Mike,

I am interest to know your price range if you don't mind me asking.

TIA
Leigh

I am in the process of building cody's design. I purchased all of the materials and the cost of welding two of the pieces for under $500. If you did these in an assembly type fashion, it wouldn't take too long to make a bunch. I was thinking a fair price would be approximately $1200. I watched one go on eBay with LCD and battery for $1850. Considering the LCD was under $200 and battery was $20, That's $1630 for the system.

From what I have found, the time to build one of these units, non-assembly type, just one is approximately 40hrs. I have about 4 hours in mine and that is just for the sled. I am working on the arm and vest. I would assume that it should take me approximately less than 20 hours to finish. That puts my labor time at approximately 25 hrs which doesn't include the research to buy all of the materials, picking up materials, taking them to have them welded. I also have access to all of the tools you will need in one location and didn't have to contract the cutting of the raw materials. My sister is sewing the vest for me, at no charge and at no time expense.

25hrs X $25(most shops charge 50 per hour) = $625
Cost of materials = $500
Total = $1125 +or-

I would sell mine when I am done for $1200 considering it would be much easier to build a second and or third.

Good luck on the group buy. I wish mine was done already, if I wasn't such a Do It Yourself kinda of guy, I would buy one for $1200

Just a little side track - I thought there was an "upgraded" arm design that had a book to go with it, but I can't seem to find the book for that? I have the original one and before I start I'd like to get the book for the upgraded arm. Anyone know where I can get it from?

Aaron

Aaron, go to HBS forum and click at the banna at the top of the very top and it will take you another link. Just clink on Cody's book and you'll see the other book.

Thanks Charles, but what is the HBS site URL? I don't have it anymore and the only one I know of is www.homebuiltstabilizers.com and I keep getting "Under Construction" on that one. I've tried, .org and other ones but still no go.

Cheers
Aaron

http://www.codydeegan.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/stabilizer

The HBS site is going through a major update with a totally new look, as well as the forum. Although you website s down you can still access the forum.

Ahh OK, but what is the URL ;)

Cheers
Aaron

If you mean the forum, the link is: http://p200.ezboard.com/bhomebuiltstabilizers

Just an update, I will have the quote on Tuesday so just a few more day's but I think its looking good :D

Still looking good Armando?

;)

Still looking good Armando?

;)


Its not much of a price break, the only good thing about this whole thing is that it will be done with precession instead of your "homemade" style stabilizer. After doing lots of research I decided to just scratch the project. Not something im going to be doing right now. I guess you can say the interest I had in this was lost. Im working on other projects, this was more of a hobby for me. I don't have time to mess with it right now. Perhaps in the future when it is available and things are ready I will let people know.

Thanks

Armando