I found this 55" ball bearing based linear guideway system used for cnc routers:

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/20mmLinearMotionSystems/Kit7429

Looks like it might be possible to use to build an over-saver similiar to the indiSLIDERpro for lightweight cams like the HV20. Any opinions?

- Frank.

thanks for the link, very interesting,
I really want one and was thinking about http://www.indifocus.com/products_indisliderpro.htm
this one looks nice, and it's 55"!
but I think you need two rails to make a nice steady track, otherwise it looks like it's going to move side to side, but again even two for $300, 55" long sounds great and looks good for the job.
Thanks again, I think I'll get one and try
:-)

looks very interesting. amazing how much cheaper stuff is when it for industrial machine tools instead of the film / video biz. I think you could put a much larger camera on it then a HV20. a pair of them side by side and you could put anything on them. looks like each one is rated for 880 lbs moving load so I think you're safe :) I guess you would want end caps of some sort to stop it from going off the end, and if you could get one truck instead of two you'd save a couple dollars, or figure the one you don't use is a spare part. from there is would only take a single hunk of aluminum drilled out to mate a tripod head onto their mount which would be very easy. thanks for a cool link !

Well, I guess we'll see... I ordered one this past Friday. It should arrive later this week so I'll report back once I have a chance to check it out. I thought about the end-cap issue as well and ordered four of these S-5-E mini clamps: http://www.s-5.com/clamps/index_367.cfm (2 at each end) for about $5 each from a roofing distributor. I figured I could also use them to lock down the slide-unit by positioning them on each side of the block. Finally, I ordered a Manfrotto 701RC2 head from B&H which I plan on mounting to the slide-unit. I figure if it's too long to safely mount on a single tripod, I have two lightweight Samson speaker stands that I can use.

EDIT: I did some more searches on "Linear Guide Systems" and I believe I found the one that Bryan Suthard is using as the basis for his prototype in this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=115998

It's from http://www.lm76.com and can be found here: http://www.lm76.com/speed_guide.htm
Pricing and sales here: http://www.automation4less.com/store/categories.asp?cat=1194


- Frank.

Frank thanks a lot again, this one looks just right, trying to find out the price,
:-)

Found an online catalog with pricing here: http://www.automation4less.com/store/categories.asp?cat=1194

Frank,

That is the one I am experimenting with. I am using the model 35 which is basically a little more than 3.5 inches wide. It is the heaviest duty model of that type slider. Interesting the prices you found, you can order the 35 slide but not the 35 rail, strange....

Bryan

I received the rail guideway system from vxb.com but it looks like I'll be sending it back. First, the action isn't very smooth unless there's a significant amount of weight put on the slide block. Second, it's fairly easy to rock the block perpendicular to the rail. Third, the noise of the ball bearings against the rail when sliding is loud enough that it might be picked up by the internal mic. The LM76 SG system that Bryan is using looks like it might not have these issues.

- Frank.

whats " significant " weight ? 5 lbs ? 10 lbs ? I could easily picture a mounting plate and tripod head coming in at around 10lbs, and a camera running 10-20lbs depending on model and accessories. OTH if its got rocking, thats a different and more significant problem.

Hi Steve,

I'd say that 10-20lbs would reduce (if not totally eliminate) the friction, but I agree the rocking could really only be eliminated it you used two tracks in parallel. Of course why bother though if the LM76 SG looks like it would be a better solution.

Frank,

That is the one I am experimenting with. I am using the model 35 which is basically a little more than 3.5 inches wide. It is the heaviest duty model of that type slider. Interesting the prices you found, you can order the 35 slide but not the 35 rail, strange....

Bryan

I think the description is wrong on the 35 rail because the model number is accurately reflected and the prices are higher than for the 25 rail.

- Frank.

, the noise of the ball bearings against the rail when sliding is loud enough that it might be picked up by the internal mic. The LM76 SG system that Bryan is using looks like it might not have these issues.

- Frank.

With the one I am using, it is really quiet if you move slow, there is some noise if you move really fast. I took the dust pads off it and that eliminated noise also. It is smooth even without a lot of weight, although weight helps you keep steady on the movement. I am going to try the 3 bearing instead of the 4 next. I think 4 was overkill and the 3 bearing slide is a couple inches less wide.

Bryan

Found an online catalog with pricing here: http://www.automation4less.com/store/categories.asp?cat=1194

Many thanks Frank, it was great info, couple days ago I got my order and now I have 60' for $250 - not too bad at all! It's smooth enough for me, with the speed I'm going to use this one, there is no any noise at all, but I never use sound from oncam mike anyways, here is a short sample ,
http://www.vimeo.com/935081
but keep in mind that I just put the cam on the block and slide it ,
thanks again,

Many thanks Frank, it was great info, couple days ago I got my order and now I have 60' for $250 - not too bad at all! It's smooth enough for me, with the speed I'm going to use this one, there is no any noise at all, but I never use sound from oncam mike anyways, here is a short sample ,
http://www.vimeo.com/935081
but keep in mind that I just put the cam on the block and slide it ,
thanks again,

The motion looks nice and smooth Buba... Great work! I assume you meant 6' or 60" (and not 60') right? What size slider did you end up going with? Was it the 35?
I recently receieved my 35 (I only ordered 40" of rail, but I think that will work out perfect for me). I'm still working on creating a mount for it.

- Frank.

Here's my DIY version. Works a treat and didn't take me long to make. 36" travel. I actually made two. Went for a smaller more compact version the second time.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/old-bugga/Indislide004.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/old-bugga/Indislide005.jpg

Looks pretty nifty! Is there much downward deflection when you travel out to the extreme ends of the slide?

The actual slide itself does not deflect in any way. The weak link in the chain is the cheap tripod I have. Unless I have it well locked off and the feet well braced, it can dip a little.

Wow nice.. I wanted to ask this question too as it is too expensive to ship in an indieslider. So what was it that you bought to implement the slider? I gotta search for something in my country too!

Alistair,

Do you have part numbers for your slider? looks to be different from the one Bryan made in which most of the links have been to.

mike

This DIY looks very promising.

Would love to see some sort of motors connected to the pipes and the camera that drives the camera forward at a really slow speed. That would create REALLY beautiful timelapse pictures. I guess this is the way bbc did it at some of the "planet earth" timelapse shots.

All you need is a eldriven motor that pulls the camera forward with some wiring or something similar over time :)
with the right torque and weight that images would be truly incredible!

Alastair Brown:
What kind of pipes did you use. Looks very good

I have done alot of research and have considered alot of different linear bearings.
I found this site, selling plastic linear bearings for when you need less noise and oil. Maybe some of you guys could find it interesting.
http://www.igus.de/wpck/default.aspx?pagename=app_overview_dry
probably a great alternative if the aluminium ones are to noisy.

interesting find.. intending to build one too?

I am concidering building one.
I have ordered pricelists from the only supplier of linear aluminium bearings in norway (rotek.no), but the prices pr head was to much. the whole rig becomes more expencive than buying a prebuilt indislider pro, so i guess i have to find another approach.

I am concidering ordering from Usa. The dollarprices is really nice for us norwegians these days. But its a bit bad if i order a bunch of products that don't do the job, and can't return it after custom declarations and all that.
Would be great to get some more info on what components that do work and not from you guys that allready have bought it.

so...? what's up?

my DIY slider video www.vimeo.com/1471704

Just to let anybody who is interested know, I have found a much cheaper and quicker courier which means shipping the complete unit is no longer much of an issue.

E-mail me for a quote!

Well, Alistair's slider sure is interesting but I have one question on DIY sliders in general. What are the advantages of a guided slider like what is discussed in this thread versus just making a miniature version of a typical track dolly?

Far quicker setup, far quicker portability, far less to transport/setup/movement.

Honestly, for event guys/real estate/promotional work, this thing is a HUGE time saver. You simply shoot, lift, shoot, lift, shoot, lift.

It gets into tight spaces that any traditional setup just wouldn't look at.

I know I make these however, I honestly rarely take my steadycam and crane out now because of the "hassle factor". I sit there thinking ok, 10mins to setup the crane/steadycam or.......clip onto my Glidetrack in 10secs and shoot a selection of angles within 5 minutes?

It wins every time.

Alastair, your DIY slider looks great.

I'm going to probably order one in a few months (I'm in the states).

One thing, do you think that you might be able to post some setups and or instructions for use on your website.

Some video showing you using the Gliderack and results would be very handy as well.

Thanks and great job on the Glidetrack,
Michael

It's on my to-do list. Going to try and shoot some stuff this weekend.

Delivery to the States is averaging 3 days using Fed-Ex fully tracked shipping.

Alastair, I really like your DIY slider.

I may be very interested in ordering one. My question is will it accommodate a Canon H1?
Assuming I have a heavy duty tripod.

Hank

Hi Hank,

Sure, H1 should not be a problem. I now ship the Glidetrack with both quarter twenty AND three eigth threads and studs so that you can cover all options.

Hi Alastair,

Just received my Glidetrack today, thanks ! Looks and feels good. I am fixing my FX1 directly onto the Carriage Mount screw and I am fixing my tripods - a Libec H38 and TH650 - by their quick release plate screws into the 3/8th screw thread on the Glidetrack.
However I note that your Velbon head sits on the Carriage Mount - how it's attached I can't work out - but I don't see anyway of getting the Libec heads to do the same. Not sure if this is much of a problem or not and any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks again for your efficient despatch of the Glidetrack.

Mike Wade
Yorkshire Video Arts

Hi Mike,

As per our phone call I think we will be able to get you sorted. You have my number if you need to get in touch.

Happy Gliding!

Thanks for the call, Alastair - very thoughtful and helpful. I think a little tripod head, such as you suggested, will improve things considerably. As it is the Glidecam works brilliantly with the little Sony A1.
Cheers,
Mike