my dolly makes cracking noise at DVinfo.net

Stephen Miller · August 15th, 2004, 06:54 PM

Hello all,

I built myself a dolly using 3/4 inch plywood and angled aluminium brackets at each corner. I used skate board wheels and pvc pipes for tracks. I noticed that when I am pulling or pushing the dolly on the tracks, the unit gives me an occasional cracking noise. I just can't figure out where it is coming from... the heavier the load on the dolly, the loader and more frequent the cracks become. have you guys encountered that problem before? would lemon pledge help?? ( I just read about it in another thread)

thanks

stephen

Dan Selakovich · August 16th, 2004, 10:16 AM

Hi Stephen,

First, find out where it's coming from: change out the PVC track to electrical conduit or plumbing pipe. If you still hear the cracking noise, it's probably your plywood platform. Double up on the plywood. Cut the sheet so the grain of the second sheet runs across the grain of the first. Put a layer of carpenter's glue on the entire sheet and stick it to the first. Put some heavy weight on it and let it dry 24 hours before re-attaching your wheels.

Good luck,

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Ken Tanaka · August 16th, 2004, 10:56 AM

Unlike solid stock, plywood does not have a "grain", per se. It is made from thin sheets of wood laminated together such that each layer's grain runs opposite that of the neighboring layers. This is what makes plywood so dimensionally stable.

Still, Dan's advice is about all that you can do. Doubling-up the thickness of your platform will make the dolly heavier but will also likely reduce the noise. Failing complete noise elimination, a piece of carpeting on the platform's top will help to dampen undesirable sounds from the dolly.

Lemon Pledge might make it smell nice but I don't think it offers help here.

Reid Bailey · August 16th, 2004, 01:27 PM

I noticed a possibly similar sound when I was testing mine out on the garage floor.
When I realized was that the noise was coming from the pvc pipe being pushed outwards. I think my angle brackets weren't hefty enough and were flexing slighting pushing the pvc out and grinding along the ground.
My sounds weren't cracking per se, but a not nice sound overall.

I plan on beefing up the angles and taking another look. I've also since cleaned the garage floor :-)

August 15th, 2004, 06:54 PM	#1
Stephen Miller Tourist Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4	my dolly makes cracking noise Hello all, I built myself a dolly using 3/4 inch plywood and angled aluminium brackets at each corner. I used skate board wheels and pvc pipes for tracks. I noticed that when I am pulling or pushing the dolly on the tracks, the unit gives me an occasional cracking noise. I just can't figure out where it is coming from... the heavier the load on the dolly, the loader and more frequent the cracks become. have you guys encountered that problem before? would lemon pledge help?? ( I just read about it in another thread) thanks stephen

August 16th, 2004, 10:56 AM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Unlike solid stock, plywood does not have a "grain", per se. It is made from thin sheets of wood laminated together such that each layer's grain runs opposite that of the neighboring layers. This is what makes plywood so dimensionally stable. Still, Dan's advice is about all that you can do. Doubling-up the thickness of your platform will make the dolly heavier but will also likely reduce the noise. Failing complete noise elimination, a piece of carpeting on the platform's top will help to dampen undesirable sounds from the dolly. Lemon Pledge might make it smell nice but I don't think it offers help here. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 16th, 2004, 10:16 AM	#2
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	Hi Stephen, First, find out where it's coming from: change out the PVC track to electrical conduit or plumbing pipe. If you still hear the cracking noise, it's probably your plywood platform. Double up on the plywood. Cut the sheet so the grain of the second sheet runs across the grain of the first. Put a layer of carpenter's glue on the entire sheet and stick it to the first. Put some heavy weight on it and let it dry 24 hours before re-attaching your wheels. Good luck, Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com

August 16th, 2004, 01:27 PM	#4
Reid Bailey Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 220	I noticed a possibly similar sound when I was testing mine out on the garage floor. When I realized was that the noise was coming from the pvc pipe being pushed outwards. I think my angle brackets weren't hefty enough and were flexing slighting pushing the pvc out and grinding along the ground. My sounds weren't cracking per se, but a not nice sound overall. I plan on beefing up the angles and taking another look. I've also since cleaned the garage floor :-)