Hey there!
I'm really excited to share with you all the camera dolly that I assembled recently.
The camera dolly is a great tool to have in your kit and provides you a movement technique to help really empower the shot you're trying to capture.
I started the project with the wheel assembly as I knew this would be the trickiest part.
I used some weldable angle and flat steel. I chose this material for its rigidity and strength.
90° Angle Steel.
Flat steel cut to measure for the wheel assembly.
After the pieces were cut to size they were welded together to secure the assembly.
It's important to make sure that everything was measured correctly, square, and proportional to each assembly piece. This will help a true line up on the track when all is complete.
Next the 'Stud' holes for the wheel axles, and also 4 holes in each corner to fasten it to the dolly platform are drilled out.
I also drilled out an access hole in the back of the assembly so I can feed in the axle stud bolts.
Finding the perfect axle hardware was a bit tricky as I spent considerable time in the hardware store trying to match the right spacers with washers, bolt length and size... all while allowing enough room to secure it properly with a lock nut and not pinch the wheel bearings for a smoothe rotation.
As you can see...
I chose some pretty gummy skateboard wheels, and super fly bearings from a local shop knowing they would work nicely with the plastic pvc pipe I intended to use as my rails.
Here is the wheel assembly all assembled:
Alright so the hard part is done...
Next is constructing the dolly platform the tripod and camera operator will ride on. Weeeee!
I ripped a 3/4" sheet of hardwood ply into a rectangle of approx 4'x2.5'
Made some measurements for precise wheel assembly fastening.
Snapped a couple chalk lines
This is looking at the bottom of the platform with all of the wheel assemblies fastened:
I added a couple extra things to really make this device more useful. The first was placing some carpet squares on the top surface for some friction.
Not going crazy with any permanent glues as I imagined that I might have to modify it later down the road...
I chose a spray adhesive to apply the carpet squares to surface:
And lastly I applied a grip handle so it made moving the platform on the track more manageable.
I used a flagpole assembly that you might purchase if you wanted to put a flag outside of your home.
This was most appealing because of the articulation of the handle angle depending on the operators preference.
I'm using 1" standard cold water pvc pipe for my track rails.
I will not be able to go around curves, however I can assemble as much lateral track as desired with connecting ties.
After doing a couple hand test glides, and it feeling as smooth as warm peanut butter...
The vid team got together to give it a go and here is the first shot on the new rig:
Dolly Test Footage from John Sappo on Vimeo.
Super dope stuff.
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 12:50PM 
