Wow, we've got some really creative people out there. I'm shooting an event today (which i'm supposed to be doing right now), but I really had to take time out and share this idea. Evan Burns sent me an email about trying to solve unstable footing for his camera slider. Of course the first thing that comes to mind is to use multiple tripods or lightstands, but he's got a better idea. Taking a tip from my recent SpiderTrax Dolly DIY with a pair of sawhorses, Evan stumbles on to a really great 'cheap single sawhorse' with individual adjustable legs. The entire unit collapses into a single rail. He's using a few clamps to keep things together, but i'm thinking go for it and just permanently bolt that bad body down. The slider works even when the sawhorse is collapsed which I think makes for a great DIY platform for ground use. Good job Evan, thanks for making me late today too! Check out the video above, here's the link to the unit: Heavy Duty Steel Adjustable Saw Horse
If you don't already have a slider, this is based on IGUS linear guide rails. IGUS has been so popular with camera sliders, they are now providing several kits in different sizes to make this DIY camera slider much easier to build. Here's the link: IGUS Camera Slider Kits
Doug Schommer
These portable sawhorses are perfect and here's where to get them:
https://www.harborfreight.com/foldable-adjustable-sawhorse-69059.html
there are holes in the sawhorse that match perfectley to the new Motion Slider 36 so you can screw it right on that bad boy.
Travis W
I bought this the other week.
Got it from Harborfreight, pretty cheap (under $30)
Pros: Pretty sturdy. Not that hard to adjust the legs. Folds up inside itself nicely.
Cons: Have to force and put a little muscle into it sometimes to get it to fold right and such. Has a bit of weight to it. You won't want to carry this around too much, especially if you have a load of other gear with you. Would be sweet if this was aluminum.
Biggest con: height. I quickly realized how big of a difference it made when my tripod could get up another foot or two. You could put it on a few apple boxes, but that gets rid of the reason to have a collapsable platform thats easy to move around.
Its a good start and could work for people that don't need it to go above waist level. I'm still trying to figure out how to build something like this that is lightweight, and you can get it up 5+ft.
Rob Rhodes
@gautch
Link's broken. Would love to check out the video though.
gautch
Just a quick update. I did the igus + saw horse set up and its great. I bought the smaller igus, and when its bolted to the saw horse its pretty solid.
Here's a quick test video : https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5322160711/in/photostream/There are also photos in that flickr stream.
Emm
Post authorThe more expensive ones are wider. The cheaper ones are more narrow. Same design.
Jordan
What kind of clamps are used?
jarrett towe
Thats slick greg. If you get a chance, post something so we can see more of the mechanism. Thanks for this though, it gets me started! whats the slider made of? Are the bearings mounted 2 per axle or simply using a single bolt for each as an axle? Great DIY!
Greg
@Jarrett,
This is the only picture I have right now from my phone.
https://www.royar.net/pics/dolly.jpg
There are 4 additional bearings inside the of the C channel area that guide the top so that the slider moves constantly in a straight line.
jarrett towe
Greg please do! That would be awesome. In the meantime, describing it here would be awesome for some of us!
Greg
I'll have to post up the slider I designed/made/had made. Looks similar to the igus system except my base slides on 8 skateboard bearings.
Emm
Post authorThe proper sawhorse is the one with fully adjustable individual legs. Some of these are just folding legs, but aren't adjustable 'individually'. This would cause problems with uneven ground.
Emm
Post authorOops changed the name. Here's the link https://vimeo.com/3850515
xlerate
Home Depot: Crawford 38 In. Adjustable Height Folding Steel Sawhorse, Yellow $29.99
https://goo.gl/yV68
Amazon: Steel Folding Sawhorse, 40": $20.72
https://goo.gl/EnQG
xlerate
Is there a link for the Truly Ugly Slider?
I searched here, nothing. And Google's only trackback was this thread...
Emm
Post author@ Jarrett - LOL. Such an old post that's been on this blog forever. Sounds like there are plenty of things in the archives you might be missing out on. I suggest everyone run through the blogs pages to see much more interesting stuff.
-Emm
jarrett towe
Hey, I'm here to tell you that slider based on cabinet slides is a triumph of off the shelf construction. Headed to home depot now! One question...I thought drawer slides were usually 2 section, while yours seems to be 3 sections of expansion. What length were yours labeled as when you purchased them? I'd love to have money for an igus, even though it's not that expensive, but after buying a 7d, I've had to do it truly DIY, mostly because I'm going to have to buy a follow focus. I built a greenscreen for the 7d this weekend, and bought a bunch of russian glass off ebay to use via adapters. Thanks for the "Truly Ugly Slider"!
VideoStudent
Where do you buy that "rail plate" to put the "fluid head" on? Are there any specific rails you need to get?
Emm
Post authorIf you're just looking for something to slide do a search for 'truly ugly slider'.
jarrett towe
True, but for a shorter length, most people might be willing to do it considering the cost savings. There is also a smaller similar rail used in the rubbermaid modular closet systems. I just feel like there is a simple, cheap alternative out there. For myself, I am greenscreening everything inside my house, so mobility is not a huge priority. Weight difference noted and appreciated however 🙂
Emm
Post authorLOL. those struts are ridiculously heavy compared to the igus rail.
jarrett towe
This seems like a product we should be able to craft out of off the shelf parts, using superstrut as the rail. There should be a way to stick a block with skate bearings as rollers into the superstrut, snugly. Come on guys! Help me think this out!
mw
If you live in canada, they sell them at Rona. Going to pick one up today. I will let you know how it works. $25! Looks to be similar to some of the above links.
Link to Rona:
https://www.rona.ca/shop/~sawhorse-haussmann-444405_!sawhorse_shop
Link to manufacturer's site:
https://www.haussmanntools.com/product/haussmann-tools-sawhorses-workbenchs-organizers/haussmann-tools-easels/haussmann-tools-adjustable-metal-sawhorse
Emm
Post authorI believe it's steel. Yes you would just add bolts through.
Emm
Post authorhttpss://cheesycam.com/99-dollar-camera-slider/
Mostly plastic stuff. You'll have to replace the head, drill out the plate, and also change the 'brake'. The rail brake is plastic too and will break.
Dave Taylor
This same model of sawhorse (or at least one that looks just like it) is available from Harbor Freight tools, if you have a store nearby, which I do!
And it's on sale for $22.99!
https://www.harborfreight.com/foldable-adjustable-sawhorse-96506.html
Thanks for the great idea Evan!
stanislav
sold out(((
rob
emm you have any experience or heard anything about the indiSLIDERmini? i'm interested in either building a diy slider or just getting one of those little guys for video. I was also wondering how a 717AH would do on a slider as well!
jared
what is the top of the sawhorse? is it just wood? are we just drilling the zaza down to the top of the sawhorses?
Emm
Post authorYes pretty much the IGUS stuff. IGUS has a kit too found here: IGUS Camera Slider DIY Kits
xlerate
Sold Out 🙁
Chris
Sold out everywhere..... fuggggggggg
Tony Carretti
Wow, I'm glad I ordered as soon as I saw this link earlier. Hard to believe they sold out already!
Also ordered the Igus motion slider for DSLR from amazon so hopefully the combination will make a really nice slider setup. Will post up once it's all here.
Tony
Mike
Just rewatched the video, good job on the DIY slider. I need to get one of those!
Mike
What are people using as their sliders? In this video, is this the zazaslider basic?
Evan Burns
Actually that one is a little different, here is the one I got - https://www.hardwaresales.com/Tahoe-Heavy-Duty-Adjustable/Accessories/Saws/Misc-p6738697.html
Evan Burns
They are selling it here too, but I have no idea how reliable the seller is... https://www.hardwareandtools.com/Vulcan-YH-SH017-Sawhorse-Steel-Folding-40In-8813560.html
Shaun
Sold out already... 🙁
craig
once again... epic find. I just ordered it.
Now i just need a good hook up on a cheap but sturdy tripod.