Post by nigel on May 6, 2005 4:32:28 GMT -5
Making a Track Dolly To attain some degree of professionalism with shots you often need a smooth tracking shot because simply panning the camera looks decidedly amateur. A dolly that runs on wheels is not that expensive to purchase but it really only of any use on a smooth indoor surface. The only way to get smooth tracking shots outdoors is to use a dolly that runs on rails that can be laid down over rough terrain to get that shot you really need.
Using wheels at 45 degrees By mounting sets of wheels at an angle, they will not only run on a smooth surface but will also run perfectly on most types of tube too. Our simple to make PVC tube dolly uses inexpensive skateboard wheels to construct a dolly that will run on most tubes from 25mm up to 100mm and is simply and cheap to build too!!
Here's what you need :
Some 40 mm PVC pipe
2 x "T" pieces
8 x skateboard wheels
4 x right-angle brackets
4 x 100mmx100mmx50mm timber
1 x 30mmx30mm timber
2 x threaded rods and nuts
A few wood screws
Simply bolt the wheels onto the brackets and fasten onto the block of wood with a hole thru the centre. You need a total of 4 sets. Make up a "T" shaped PVC frame using the pipe so it's slightly larger than your tripod. Cut the 30mmx30mm timber into short lengths and drill a hole the same size as the threaded rod thru them. These are pushed onto the rod that goes thru the PVC pipe to keep it central. Boly everything together and make 3 holes in the pipe frame so your tripod drops into them. (My tripod has a hook on the centre post so a simple elastic arrangement down to the PVC pipe stops the tripod from jumping out)
Lay your pipes down and the dolly will run as smooth as silk. For rougher terrain you will have to add a few timber "sleepers" under the track to keep it stable.
You can now go out and shoot footage like the professionals !!
Using wheels at 45 degrees By mounting sets of wheels at an angle, they will not only run on a smooth surface but will also run perfectly on most types of tube too. Our simple to make PVC tube dolly uses inexpensive skateboard wheels to construct a dolly that will run on most tubes from 25mm up to 100mm and is simply and cheap to build too!!
Here's what you need :
Some 40 mm PVC pipe
2 x "T" pieces
8 x skateboard wheels
4 x right-angle brackets
4 x 100mmx100mmx50mm timber
1 x 30mmx30mm timber
2 x threaded rods and nuts
A few wood screws
Simply bolt the wheels onto the brackets and fasten onto the block of wood with a hole thru the centre. You need a total of 4 sets. Make up a "T" shaped PVC frame using the pipe so it's slightly larger than your tripod. Cut the 30mmx30mm timber into short lengths and drill a hole the same size as the threaded rod thru them. These are pushed onto the rod that goes thru the PVC pipe to keep it central. Boly everything together and make 3 holes in the pipe frame so your tripod drops into them. (My tripod has a hook on the centre post so a simple elastic arrangement down to the PVC pipe stops the tripod from jumping out)
Lay your pipes down and the dolly will run as smooth as silk. For rougher terrain you will have to add a few timber "sleepers" under the track to keep it stable.
You can now go out and shoot footage like the professionals !!
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