My home made dolly test fotage at DVinfo.net

Nathan Quattrini · January 8th, 2008, 11:53 AM

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/102676..._camera_dolly/

I had built one to spec off the net last fall and it is a horrible 50 pound beast that barely would fit in my car. Even worse it shook more than the new one I just built so I refused to post the beasts footage. The track is 10 ' PVC but i think i`ll separate it into 5' pieces since at 10 ' pvc bends easy. Coming along so far, I just need to find a good way to hold track together.

Josh Chesarek · January 8th, 2008, 12:50 PM

Looks very good to me, Can you post some more details about the build and some photos of the rig? Is this one you put a tripod on and slide and walk beside it or something else?

Thanks for sharing.

Nathan Quattrini · January 10th, 2008, 11:47 AM

Its a little frankensteined. I originally followed some directions I found online but decided the one i made was useless. I kept the wheel set up, 16 skate wheels on iron angles (seen in most DIY dollies) then just changes the actual cart. Its a 33' x 33' piece of 3/4" plywood with the wheel rigs stuck to it. Thats it. I put the tripod on it and roll it. Its so light that theres no need for a handle or extra pusher, simply moving the tripod moves the cart with ease. Mind you this video was with no practice, and was very basic testing for smoothness and ease of use first. Next will be panning dolly moves, see how that works. I`m always in situations where I have to do everything, so I prefer to have this kind where I can move it on my own. I`ll try and get pictures this weekend.

Josh Chesarek · January 10th, 2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Quattrini

Its a little frankensteined. I originally followed some directions I found online but decided the one i made was useless. I kept the wheel set up, 16 skate wheels on iron angles (seen in most DIY dollies) then just changes the actual cart. Its a 33' x 33' piece of 3/4" plywood with the wheel rigs stuck to it. Thats it. I put the tripod on it and roll it. Its so light that theres no need for a handle or extra pusher, simply moving the tripod moves the cart with ease. Mind you this video was with no practice, and was very basic testing for smoothness and ease of use first. Next will be panning dolly moves, see how that works. I`m always in situations where I have to do everything, so I prefer to have this kind where I can move it on my own. I`ll try and get pictures this weekend.

Im in the same boat, care to share the plans you used? I have found quite a few online but trying to decide which one to follow.

Alessandro Garabaghi · February 13th, 2008, 08:45 PM

Josh , i built one tonight actually. But my wheels didnt work out, swivel was the wrong choice. Can anyone suggest some wheels that will work on 1.5inch PVC... i guess ill have to browse through home depot a little more.

Josh Chesarek · February 14th, 2008, 05:49 AM

Most people seem to end with Skateboard wheels or soft rubber ones from inline skates.

January 8th, 2008, 11:53 AM	#1
Nathan Quattrini Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 740	My home made dolly test fotage http://www.metacafe.com/watch/102676..._camera_dolly/ I had built one to spec off the net last fall and it is a horrible 50 pound beast that barely would fit in my car. Even worse it shook more than the new one I just built so I refused to post the beasts footage. The track is 10 ' PVC but i think i`ll separate it into 5' pieces since at 10 ' pvc bends easy. Coming along so far, I just need to find a good way to hold track together. __________________ Cinematography Site

January 10th, 2008, 11:47 AM	#3
Nathan Quattrini Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 740	Its a little frankensteined. I originally followed some directions I found online but decided the one i made was useless. I kept the wheel set up, 16 skate wheels on iron angles (seen in most DIY dollies) then just changes the actual cart. Its a 33' x 33' piece of 3/4" plywood with the wheel rigs stuck to it. Thats it. I put the tripod on it and roll it. Its so light that theres no need for a handle or extra pusher, simply moving the tripod moves the cart with ease. Mind you this video was with no practice, and was very basic testing for smoothness and ease of use first. Next will be panning dolly moves, see how that works. I`m always in situations where I have to do everything, so I prefer to have this kind where I can move it on my own. I`ll try and get pictures this weekend. __________________ Cinematography Site

February 14th, 2008, 05:49 AM	#6
Josh Chesarek Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 978	Most people seem to end with Skateboard wheels or soft rubber ones from inline skates. __________________ Simple Thought Productions - Life @ 30,000 Words per second

January 8th, 2008, 12:50 PM	#2
Josh Chesarek Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 978	Looks very good to me, Can you post some more details about the build and some photos of the rig? Is this one you put a tripod on and slide and walk beside it or something else? Thanks for sharing.

February 13th, 2008, 08:45 PM	#5
Alessandro Garabaghi Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 132	Josh , i built one tonight actually. But my wheels didnt work out, swivel was the wrong choice. Can anyone suggest some wheels that will work on 1.5inch PVC... i guess ill have to browse through home depot a little more.