Size? for PVC dolly rails using rollerblade wheels. at DVinfo.net

Dennis Wood · September 28th, 2005, 07:08 AM

I've had some aluminum brackets machined (U channel) to mount dual inline skateboard wheels on a dolly. The wheels are 80mm rollerblade types, both vertically mounted and seperated by one washer. Using the two sizes of PVC pipe in my shop, both caused a good deal of "squeaking" as the wheels rolled over them. I'm pretty sure this is just because the conduit is too small and the shoulders of the wheels are rubbing.

So the question. What is the largest diameter pipe I can use without derailing? There will be four "trucks", each having two axles, for a total of 16 wheels. I should mention that the dolly is being designed to carry both me and my 14 foot crane. Total weight about 250 pounds.

Derek Ashby · September 28th, 2005, 03:08 PM

Hi Dennis

I found a similar problem was solved not by changing the size of tubing but by reducing the friction with a silicone spray if you use too large a tube the wheels tend to go out of line.

Mark Utley · September 28th, 2005, 04:32 PM

I made a camera dolly similar to what you're talking about (which I'll post pictures of later) and I would recommend not using rollerblade wheels. Instead, use wheels that are used on boat ramps (low quality picture but it's all I could find - http://www.mumps.ca/pictures/wheel.jpg). This way, they can ride on the pipe or right on the ground.

I'll post the design for my dolly and directions on how to make one in a few weeks.

Dennis Wood · September 28th, 2005, 10:02 PM

Derek, I was thinking the same thing about the silicone spray. The downside is gravel/sand sticking to the wheels if used off the rails. I picked up some 1 1/4 " pvc today and will try it later to see if there is a compromise to be reached between squeaking and tracking.

Mark, are you able to use bearings on the boat ramp wheels? If I recall correctly they're generally just a bushing around the bolt. Should work OK though if they're greased up.

Mark Utley · September 29th, 2005, 11:35 PM

Yep, I forgot to mention that I have bushings in each of them and a bolt connecting them to two pieces (well, four total) of angle iron. I'll try to take some pictures soon.

Dennis Wood · September 30th, 2005, 08:39 AM

Well I now have my behemoth of a dolly made. It's rather large as it is designed to take my Bogen 028 legs at full spread. So now I have to figure out how to make this a two or three piece unit for transport. Anyone have ideas/pics for a dolly that breaks down but is rigid once assembled? I'm thinking of doing something similar to a table with removable insert.

Dan Selakovich · May 4th, 2006, 10:05 AM

Furniture polish works great of taking the noise away. Spray along the front of the wheels and track while you roll the dolly to spread it along. On my design, I use the spacing of a jam nut between the wheels and 3/4" track. I came up with the roller blade design almost 20 years ago now, so I'm pretty familiar with it! If you want to use larger diameter track, use a longer bolt as your axle and spread the wheels as wide as you want. The noise might not be possible to get rid of if you used a "super grip" type wheel. Ironically, the cheaper you go on wheels, the better off you are (within reason. the really cheap wheels aren't great, but still better than ones that grip.)

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

September 28th, 2005, 07:08 AM	#1
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Size? for PVC dolly rails using rollerblade wheels. I've had some aluminum brackets machined (U channel) to mount dual inline skateboard wheels on a dolly. The wheels are 80mm rollerblade types, both vertically mounted and seperated by one washer. Using the two sizes of PVC pipe in my shop, both caused a good deal of "squeaking" as the wheels rolled over them. I'm pretty sure this is just because the conduit is too small and the shoulders of the wheels are rubbing. So the question. What is the largest diameter pipe I can use without derailing? There will be four "trucks", each having two axles, for a total of 16 wheels. I should mention that the dolly is being designed to carry both me and my 14 foot crane. Total weight about 250 pounds.

September 28th, 2005, 03:08 PM	#2
Derek Ashby Tourist Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2	PVC Dolly rails Hi Dennis I found a similar problem was solved not by changing the size of tubing but by reducing the friction with a silicone spray if you use too large a tube the wheels tend to go out of line.

September 28th, 2005, 04:32 PM	#3
Mark Utley Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 479	I made a camera dolly similar to what you're talking about (which I'll post pictures of later) and I would recommend not using rollerblade wheels. Instead, use wheels that are used on boat ramps (low quality picture but it's all I could find - http://www.mumps.ca/pictures/wheel.jpg). This way, they can ride on the pipe or right on the ground. I'll post the design for my dolly and directions on how to make one in a few weeks. __________________ Mark Utley

September 29th, 2005, 11:35 PM	#5
Mark Utley Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 479	Yep, I forgot to mention that I have bushings in each of them and a bolt connecting them to two pieces (well, four total) of angle iron. I'll try to take some pictures soon. __________________ Mark Utley

September 28th, 2005, 10:02 PM	#4
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Derek, I was thinking the same thing about the silicone spray. The downside is gravel/sand sticking to the wheels if used off the rails. I picked up some 1 1/4 " pvc today and will try it later to see if there is a compromise to be reached between squeaking and tracking. Mark, are you able to use bearings on the boat ramp wheels? If I recall correctly they're generally just a bushing around the bolt. Should work OK though if they're greased up.

September 30th, 2005, 08:39 AM	#6
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Well I now have my behemoth of a dolly made. It's rather large as it is designed to take my Bogen 028 legs at full spread. So now I have to figure out how to make this a two or three piece unit for transport. Anyone have ideas/pics for a dolly that breaks down but is rigid once assembled? I'm thinking of doing something similar to a table with removable insert.

May 4th, 2006, 10:05 AM	#7
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	Furniture polish works great of taking the noise away. Spray along the front of the wheels and track while you roll the dolly to spread it along. On my design, I use the spacing of a jam nut between the wheels and 3/4" track. I came up with the roller blade design almost 20 years ago now, so I'm pretty familiar with it! If you want to use larger diameter track, use a longer bolt as your axle and spread the wheels as wide as you want. The noise might not be possible to get rid of if you used a "super grip" type wheel. Ironically, the cheaper you go on wheels, the better off you are (within reason. the really cheap wheels aren't great, but still better than ones that grip.) Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com