DIY alternative to indiSLIDERpro?
 

I found this 55" ball bearing based linear guideway system used for cnc routers:

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PRO...ystems/Kit7429

Looks like it might be possible to use to build an over-saver similiar to the indiSLIDERpro for lightweight cams like the HV20. Any opinions?

- Frank.

thanks for the link, very interesting,
I really want one and was thinking about http://www.indifocus.com/products_indisliderpro.htm
this one looks nice, and it's 55"!
but I think you need two rails to make a nice steady track, otherwise it looks like it's going to move side to side, but again even two for $300, 55" long sounds great and looks good for the job.
Thanks again, I think I'll get one and try
:-)

looks very interesting. amazing how much cheaper stuff is when it for industrial machine tools instead of the film / video biz. I think you could put a much larger camera on it then a HV20. a pair of them side by side and you could put anything on them. looks like each one is rated for 880 lbs moving load so I think you're safe :) I guess you would want end caps of some sort to stop it from going off the end, and if you could get one truck instead of two you'd save a couple dollars, or figure the one you don't use is a spare part. from there is would only take a single hunk of aluminum drilled out to mate a tripod head onto their mount which would be very easy. thanks for a cool link !

Well, I guess we'll see... I ordered one this past Friday. It should arrive later this week so I'll report back once I have a chance to check it out. I thought about the end-cap issue as well and ordered four of these S-5-E mini clamps: http://www.s-5.com/clamps/index_367.cfm (2 at each end) for about $5 each from a roofing distributor. I figured I could also use them to lock down the slide-unit by positioning them on each side of the block. Finally, I ordered a Manfrotto 701RC2 head from B&H which I plan on mounting to the slide-unit. I figure if it's too long to safely mount on a single tripod, I have two lightweight Samson speaker stands that I can use.

EDIT: I did some more searches on "Linear Guide Systems" and I believe I found the one that Bryan Suthard is using as the basis for his prototype in this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=115998

It's from http://www.lm76.com and can be found here: http://www.lm76.com/speed_guide.htm
Pricing and sales here: http://www.automation4less.com/store...s.asp?cat=1194


- Frank.

Frank thanks a lot again, this one looks just right, trying to find out the price,
:-)

Found an online catalog with pricing here: http://www.automation4less.com/store...s.asp?cat=1194

Frank,

That is the one I am experimenting with. I am using the model 35 which is basically a little more than 3.5 inches wide. It is the heaviest duty model of that type slider. Interesting the prices you found, you can order the 35 slide but not the 35 rail, strange....

Bryan

Update:
 

I received the rail guideway system from vxb.com but it looks like I'll be sending it back. First, the action isn't very smooth unless there's a significant amount of weight put on the slide block. Second, it's fairly easy to rock the block perpendicular to the rail. Third, the noise of the ball bearings against the rail when sliding is loud enough that it might be picked up by the internal mic. The LM76 SG system that Bryan is using looks like it might not have these issues.

- Frank.

whats " significant " weight ? 5 lbs ? 10 lbs ? I could easily picture a mounting plate and tripod head coming in at around 10lbs, and a camera running 10-20lbs depending on model and accessories. OTH if its got rocking, thats a different and more significant problem.

Hi Steve,

I'd say that 10-20lbs would reduce (if not totally eliminate) the friction, but I agree the rocking could really only be eliminated it you used two tracks in parallel. Of course why bother though if the LM76 SG looks like it would be a better solution.

I think the description is wrong on the 35 rail because the model number is accurately reflected and the prices are higher than for the 25 rail.

- Frank.

With the one I am using, it is really quiet if you move slow, there is some noise if you move really fast. I took the dust pads off it and that eliminated noise also. It is smooth even without a lot of weight, although weight helps you keep steady on the movement. I am going to try the 3 bearing instead of the 4 next. I think 4 was overkill and the 3 bearing slide is a couple inches less wide.

Bryan

Many thanks Frank, it was great info, couple days ago I got my order and now I have 60' for $250 - not too bad at all! It's smooth enough for me, with the speed I'm going to use this one, there is no any noise at all, but I never use sound from oncam mike anyways, here is a short sample ,
http://www.vimeo.com/935081
but keep in mind that I just put the cam on the block and slide it ,
thanks again,

The motion looks nice and smooth Buba... Great work! I assume you meant 6' or 60" (and not 60') right? What size slider did you end up going with? Was it the 35?
I recently receieved my 35 (I only ordered 40" of rail, but I think that will work out perfect for me). I'm still working on creating a mount for it.

- Frank.

Here's my DIY version. Works a treat and didn't take me long to make. 36" travel. I actually made two. Went for a smaller more compact version the second time.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...dislide004.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...dislide005.jpg