Comments

ushere wrote on 10/6/2013, 3:11 AM
very many years ago when i worked for a large film and tv company they had a couple of similar rigs built by an engineering firm, one small unit that could be mounted on a crane / cherrypicker, and the other mounted on the back of a ute. the small unit was nearly always used for 35mm film, but the ute mounted was predominately used for video at sporting events and for tv based drama.

they weren't cheap....
farss wrote on 10/6/2013, 3:28 AM
The parts are not hard to come by. Many places in the USA sell all the bearings etc that you'd need.

For a ghetto build a Lazy Suzanne bearing might be a good starting point. The seat itself can be got cheaply from any of the cheap stackable plastic shell chairs. Having access to a welder would help, a lathe another asset however all the standard fittings can be bought.

Bob.
ddm wrote on 10/7/2013, 6:35 PM
You might want to check over at cheesycam.com, there's a lot of DIY camera stuff over there, although I have never seen that particular item, they do have a pretty decent search that goes thru the archives.
gpsmikey wrote on 10/8/2013, 7:47 PM
If you are going to build something yourself, you might consider using something like an automobile "throw-out bearing" - used on manual transmission cars, that bearing is what pushes on the clutch fingers when you step on the clutch pedal. It is designed to be used in a thrust type application (unlike regular bearings which are designed usually for side loads). They are also reasonably well sealed against crud.

mikey