DIY Glide Track / Slider Mini Dolly System

[<SwedenHasse]

I was inspired by jkeegan's solution and decided to use it as a base for my own.

Two curtain rods (150 cm, but I'll will buy 200 cm later), 45x45 mm and 45x70 mm wood, some screws, one hour work and I was done.

It is really easy to put together so you can carry it with you. It slides very smoothly on the rails (I used silikon spray to improve it further).

The only thing I need to improve is how to secure the tripod better. It's OK for indoor use but may be a little bit scary to use outdoor.

Later on I will add four individually adjusted legs for easier levelling the slider when shooting outdoor. It also need some pimping...

This is my "video-tutorial" and a short demo.

Remember: The password to this video is MTSFP

[ame="http://www.vimeo.com/9250828"]This is a password protected video on Vimeo[/ame]

[corbo628]

I too was inspired by jkeegan and built my own slider two days ago. Instead of using curtainrod I used pvc as Jack Frost suggested. When I was at Lowes I tried 1/2" copper pipe and it was incredibly smooth but to keep cost down I went with the 1/2" PVC. I used 1x2" for the rest of the support for my slider. I screwed the pvc directed to the wood from below.

I'm using a Canon XHA1 which is significantly heavier than the HV30 that I used to use. This causes it to stick slightly when you start the move which really isnt that big of an issue. The total length of the slider is 3 feet which I believe is a perfect length.

As you can see in my low res pics (I apologize) I've been using a keyboard stand for indoor shots which works very well. I don't have two tripods but will be purchasing a couple light stands for each end since using one tripod in the center isn't enough support for such a heavy camera. In all, I spent just under $30.00 for parts and put it all together in one afternoon.

I edited together some test shots I took yesterday with it. If you have any question about my design feel free to ask. If you would like higher res pictures I can take some once I return to NYC where my camera is.

[ame="http://vimeo.com/9255534"]DIY Slider on Vimeo[/ame]

[Almohada]

GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!! Awesome shots!!!!!

[antman]

so is it just the wood that slides on the pvc, or is there a pad of some sort under there?

[Almohada]

Antman -- it's just wood sliding on the PVC.

My design uses skateboard wheels

[corbo628]

yeah antman as almohada said its just sliding on the wood. I think I may look into something to attach to the bottom of the wood for smoother sliding. Perhaps some type of plastic

[cgbier]

Very inspirational!

For a smooth ride: Try felt that is normally glued or nailed under furniture. Helps to get a smaller surface (and therefore less friction) on the wood part.

[BarteS]

Personally I'd prefer the wheel version, indeed because of the static friction. The dynamic friction will be minimal with a PVC and even less with an aluminum tube. To the ones using the baseplate method (the simple piece of block) perhaps creating a version with tent poles is nice? That way you can easily extend the track. Make sure you've got the version with a (single) little pin you've got to press to take the poles apart and you've got yourself a pretty nice and solid track (which probably wouldn't bend).
With the wheels it's perhaps (depends on the poles) harder as at the joints the wheels will 'sink' a little. But probably the HVx can compensate for this motion using the stabilizer. (I'm thinking about creating such a solution and extending it with...lego (or another little motor). Next to the tube(s) I'd like to create a track which would allow me to use a cogwheel. The cogwheel would set me free from any changes in dynamic friction and as a result undesired changes in velocity. Issue is not to blow that much money on that little track to be able to create such a cogwheel solution.)

[corbo628]

Thanks for the suggestion cjbeier! I actually took some today and attached it to the edges of the carriage that ride perpendicular to the track as well as the part that rides parallel to the track and it surely did improve the sliding much more. It's not very thick and similar to the felt on a pool table but with sticky tape on one side. There's basically so sticking when you first start your slide now so I'm very happy. Also went and got a 61 key keyboard case for transporting it around with me which fits it exactly. I'm very happy with the results but of course there is always room for improvement.

[<SwedenHasse]

I did some changes to my previous glider (see above). I just simplified it a bit...

I still use the same oval curtain rods and the sliding platform to be used together with a mini-tripod. I have removed the piece of wood that was attached under the platform and now only use four angeled "things" (I don't know the English name for it).

After trying the suggestion to use felted furniture pads I realized that my solution metal-to-metal gives the smoothest movement.

The holes in the crossbars are for the individually adjustable legs which will be tried out later on.

So it's easy to carry with you (as the rods can be taken out from the crossbars), it's cheap and works very well.

Still - it's not the most professional looking slider but I'm happy with it.

[Jack Frost]

It is really looks good.

I would say now, try and get a tripod head on your block of wood.... that would really make it easier for you. I was not too fond of the tiny tripod sitting on the wood to be honest.

Tripod head mounted to the wood sider - good !

I did some changes to my previous glider (see above). I just simplified it a bit...

[antman]

You can buy the plastic self lubricating bearing pads on ebay for cheap money, that will help it slide easy.

[<SwedenHasse]

Jack,

I understand your concern of my camera standing on its own on the platform. But, still, indoors it's OK, outdoors no.

Antman,

I have no problem with the sliding. Metal-to-metal slides very nicely.

[Almohada]

I've been busy lately. Hopefully next week I will get a chance to build the slider. I will post pictures

[jkeegan]

That's great <SwedenHasse and Corbo628. I also like the felt idea mentioned. I'm glad to see the ideas flowing. I'm going to tweak mine over the next week or so. You're designs are inspiring some needed upgrades.

Jimmy Keegan

[bluesoldier11]

Hey folks, just wanted to post a few pics of my end product after going through this thread. I'm a horrible craftsman, as I'm sure you'll be able to see through the photos lol, but the movement is incredibly smooth, and the parts total only ran me a fraction of the price of any available mini slider. Thanks jkeegan, and all those who added on other ideas as well! I'll try to post some footage later today, but for now, all I have are these photos: