DIY Camera Stabilizer

[jp4240]

A few pics of my new (in progress) "Merlin" type camera stabilizer. Although it is not compete by a long shot, i got really excited today when i got the gimbal together. To see it remain almost motionless while moving around is neat, i just kinda floats there. Its one thing to see a youtube video, but you have to play with one to really appreciate them.

[darthpaully]

Very Nice! I know that feeling you're talking about when it... just... sits... there- I built a super throw-together design using a mini-tripod ball head as the gimbal that actually works great!

Yours looks great jp- the handle and gimbal ar elooking pretty PRO- what are you using for parts? Is that the traxxas piece used in the WSCLATER video? I'm sure you've seen that video...

Thanks for showing off your gear! We've had a pretty good amount of DIY stuff around here recently! KEEP IT UP ALL YOU MIDNIGHT ENGINEERS!!

[Almohada]

YOU MIDNIGHT ENGINEERS!!

hahahaha

[jp4240]

The gimbal is a traxxas piece similar, if not the same as the WSCLATTER video. People use so many different sizes and types of that u-jount shaft. This one so far has only one skate bearing sitting in a gutted led flashlight body as a handle. The bearing makes the whole thing so smooth, and quite comfortable. The thing i think i did different than everyone else's that i have seen (if i am wrong i apologize in advance) is i made the frame out of a light weight yet rigid bicycle rim. I found that the metal i had available at my local big box stores was either too heavy to work with, or it was so flimsy that a bump would knock the rig out of balance. As you probably know balance is the most crucial part of this whole thing. If weights are not correctly placed and camera balanced you might as well just be holding the camera in your hand. The rim is not only perfect in regards to weight and stiffness but the camera mount fits snugly in the lip of the rim. The square tubing creates a natural pivot point to make adjusting my absolute level easy. The sliding quick release that attaches to the square tubing will allow different lenses to be used and easily transition to my tripod when working. I have a lot of oddball DIY projects going at any time but every once in a while you get one that just goes together about as good as it could go, kinda a nice change for once...lol. Next up will be a curved camera dolly im thinking...

[zulu342]

Did your u joint come assembled like that or you had to take apart one and place it on another? I got the Traxxas 5151 in the mail the other day and am having a very hard time removing the ball from one so I can connect the two.