Slider for under $200
 

I need a slider for a Sony A1U (light weight) for under $200
Does not have to be any larger than 2-3 ft
I do not have the time to make it myself (nor the talent).
I have an additional fluid head so it does not need o have one.

I have been looking at the indiSLIDERmini (indiSYSTEM - indiSLIDERmini) but not too sure about it.

Thoughts?

So I got my slider for under $200 - actually just over $160, and it only took 15 minutes to put it all together.

Here is what I did...

I ordered:
1000 mm (40 in.) of 60mm wide rail WS-16-60
1 shuttle number WW-16-60-10,
Igus Rail Description: Rail: 9 mounting holes, 120 mm apart; Dim C5/C6 (first/last hole to end of rail): 20 mm; bolt size: M6
From igus, Inc. - Website, Latest News & Contact Details. Products inc. cable carriers, plain bearings, linear guides, high-flex cables for automated machinery (just call 1-800-521-2747), other lengths are available.
Cost: $158.38

From Home Depot I bought a circular level ($2.35) and a 1/4-20 x 1" bolt ($0.35)

I drilled the shuttle with a 13/64 drill bit off-set from the center, and tapped the hole with a 1/4-20 tap, and screwed in tight the 1" bolt. This bolt will hold your video head of choice.
Then bit & tap can be bought from Home Depot cheap.

I drilled my shuttle off center because I wanted room on the shuttle to mount an cold shoe bracket for lights, filters or additional sound.

I then drilled and tapped each end for 1/4-20, the same size as my tripods & monopod.

I mounted an additional head plate for my 701 (main) on one end and I can use any assortment of mounts on the other including a light stand. I can even add a couple of table top tripods for short legs.

So three holes in 15 minutes and I am ready to go.

A very thin layer of epoxy on the level and stick it right in the middle of the rail.

I'll be shooting in the Colorado mountains next week and I'll posts some clips then.

I hope this helps...

Looks nice - appreciate the effort you made to post these pics.

A question ... when you say "Rail: 9 mounting holes, 120 mm apart; Dim C5/C6 (first/last hole to end of rail): 20 mm; bolt size: M6" ... is this just background info for us, or do these details need to be specified in the order? I didn't really understand what was being said here.

Graham,

Yes background information, the text "Rail: 9 mounting holes, 120 mm apart; Dim C5/C6 (first/last hole to end of rail): 20 mm; bolt size: M6" is from the Igus Website and is the description of the rail when you submit the form to get the quote. This is the most confusing part - but It shows up from their online quote system at igus - Drylin W linear slide system, look in the middle of the page and look for "Bearing Size 16 mm". That section will allow you to select your length and shuttle size.

For the 1000mm (or 40 inch) rail that is 60mm wide and the 100mm long shuttle:
When you call, all you need is 1000 mm (40 in.) of 60mm wide rail WS-16-60 and 1 shuttle number WW-16-60-10.

Ok I went ahead and added some end caps by using nylon bolts & washers and a rubber washer from Home Depot. This keeps the carriage from sliding off the end.

Also here are some photos in use.

A few more photos

The first test run...

Where did you order the track from? Is it something I can buy locally?

Thanks

I order the rail and carriage and barings directly from Igus.com

What I ordered:
1000 mm (40 in.) of 60mm wide rail WS-16-60 and 1 shuttle number WW-16-60-10

It only took a couple of days to get it, and you can tell them how long you want it to be. I selected 1,000mm or about 39 inches.

I am not aware of any local place to get it?

I did the same thing... a very simple project and a decent result.

Very nice...Good work.

Now if only you could motorize the thing....

Hmmmmmmmm...

Can you say what the weight is of this system from let's say 1000 mm?

My system with the small Slik fluid head is right at 4 pounds total weight.

Hey Chris, did you order the "camera system" that they have on Igus.com?

So the only modifications you did were just drill a hole to mount your tripod head and add some end caps and a level correct?

No, this is new... It looks like enough people have bought them that they packaged the parts and put them on amazon.



It looks like you'll still need to drill & tap the holes and add end caps, but all the parts are there...