How To Build a DIY Camera Stabilizer/Steadicam



Design inspired by Tiffen Steadicam Merlin https://www.tiffen.com/handheldmerlin.html, StudioAmarelo https://vimeo.com/28903374, and WSCLATER https://www.diycamera.com/stabiliser/index.html

COMPLETE PARTS LIST (actual parts used in this stabilizer)

MAIN BODY PARTS
1x Lehigh/Crawford HGSH Jumbo Arm
1x 3/4″ male conduit PVC adapter
1x 3/4″ conduit PVC 45 degree elbow
2x Halex 1/2″-1″ ground clamp
2x 4″ long 1/4″-20 round head machine screws (attach to lower clamp for holding weights)
2x 1.5″ long 1/4″-20 round or flat head machine screw (one attaches to front clamp for holding weights, one for top rear bracket base)
6x Bi-fold door pivot bracket N-6543 by Primeline
6x 6″ long 1/4″-20 hex bolts – 5 unthreaded, 1 fully threaded
8x 1/4″ cut washer
4x 3/8″ cut washer
at least 9x 1/4″ fender washer (1.25″ dia.) – need more if using as counterweights
1x 1.5″ long 1/4″-20 round head machine screw (for front lower bracket)
2x 2″ long 1/4″-20 flat head machine screw (for clamping top T-plate to bottom T-plate)
3x 0.75″ long 1/4″-20 round head machine screw (2 for attaching rear brackets to T-plate, 1 for front of camera sled)
1x 0.75″ long 1/4″-20 flat head machine screw (for attaching quick release base to camera sled)
4x Everbilt 3″x3″ T-plate (comes in packs of 2, so 2 packs is enough)
2x 0.5″ long 1/4″-20 flat head machine screw (for left/right of camera sled)
4x 1/4″-20 wing nut
1 bag 1/4″ nut (bag contains 25 pieces, rest should come with the 1/4″ screws – should need 27 total)
1x Quick release plate – needs a hole in the center that can receive a 1/4″ dia. flat head machine screw, non-threaded hole is ok

GIMBAL PARTS
1 bag Traxxas TRA5151 Front and Rear Half Shaft – 1 bag comes with 2 male and 2 female pieces
2x Skateboard bearings 8x22x7mm – only need to 2 but may be cheaper to order pack of 8 than 2 individual
2x 3/4″ CPVC coupler (no threads)
1x 3/4″ CPVC straight pipe, 5.5″ long – but probably have to pay for 10 feet
1x 1″ long 7/16″ bolt
1x 7/16″ nut
2x 1/2″ fender washer
1x Bike handle

COUNTERWEIGHTS
1x Box of 100 3/8″ fender washers
5x 1/4″ washers, cut or fender – to hold 3/8″ washers on 1/4″ screws

TOOLS
1x PVC pipe cutter
1x Screwdriver
2x Wrench or ratchet with 7/16″ socket – need 2 wrenches
1x Dremel, file, or sandpaper
1x Epoxy Putty
1x PVC Primer and Cement
1x Scotch Tape
1x Scissors


Post time: Jun-08-2017