Stop Motion Camera Dolly

4 feet in length --- 1/8" motion to each crank handle turn

 

Parts needed:

Rails:
8' of 3/4" or 1" metal electrical conduit
2 - 3' 3/4" aluminum square tube
10 - 1" 4-40 bolts, lock washers and nuts

Drive shaft:
6' - 1/2"-13 thread - threaded rod
1/2" coupler for threaded rod
1" u-bolt
2 - bearings (1/2" inner dimension)
2 - 4"x6" plywood
4 - 1-1/4" 8-32 bolts and nuts

Handles:
2 - 5" 1x1/8 galvinized steel rectanular bar
4 - 3" 5/16 bolts
8 - 5/16 nuts
8 - lock washers
4 - 2" long plastic tubing (3/8" inner opening)
4 - 1/2" nuts
4 - 1/2" lock washers
2 - 1/2" washers


Camera mount:
1 - 3' aluminum 1"x1/8" angle
1 - 3' aluminum 3/4" x 1/8" angle
14" 1/2 x 1/8" aluminum rectangular bar
4 - 2" 5/16 bolts
8 - 5/16 stop nuts
8 - 5/16 washers
8 - skateboard/rollerblade wheels (w/bearings)
6 - 1" 8-32 bolts and stop nuts

:: Construction ::

Track:

* Build the track by cutting the conduit into 2 - 4' pieces
* Cut the square bar into 2 - 14" and 3 - 12" pieces
* Drill pilot holes for the 4-40 bolts in the conduit and one side of the square bar for
  the end pieces (14") so that the bars are 10" apart

* Drill out the top hole in the conduit large enough for the bolt head to pass through
* Bolt the end pieces on the conduit
* Drill and bolt the center piece on.
* Square up the tracks
* Lay out the angled square tubes and clamp.
* Drill holes and bolt.
* Track should be locked square


Camera mount:
* Cut 1" angle to 10" long ... that's 2 angle pieces 10" long each
* Drill out 5/16" holes for wheels near ends, centered on angles side - Each 10"
   pieces will have 4, 5/16" holes drilled on each ends - that is a total 8 drilled

   holes on each ends of the 2 pieces of 10" aluminum angle
* Attach bolts and wheels (see diagram)

 

* Cut 3/4" angle to 11-3/4" long drilll holes for 8-32 bolts 7/8" from the end centered ---on one side of the angle
* Drill holes in 1" angle/wheel assembly near ends in center of angle material
* Attach together with bolts.

* Square up assembled parts and layout 1/2x1/8" aluminum at angle
* Drill holes and bolt together to lock in square
* Attach flat plywood or other platform to assembly


Drive shaft:
* Attach 1/2" coupler to camera mount with U-bolt
* Thread rod through coupler
* Wheel camera mount to end to layout hole for plywood
* Drill holes for bearings in plywood (centered on threaded rod)
* Attach plywood to track with bolts
* Insert bearings

* Cut and drill 1"x1/8" steel rectangular bar as shown
* Attach handle bolts as shown
* Place assembly on rod with nuts and washers as shown
* Make sure handles are tight to plywood / bearing so there is no play on the shaft


Here is an UPDATE of a slightly different version of Dolly ....
DOLLY MIXTURE by Ben Whitehouse
 

Stop Motion Camera Dolly / Message Board



© 2003 Brady Whitcomb