My DIY Overkill MKI Motorized / Timelapse Dolly

Here is a dual purpose Motorized Dolly I made, It can be used as a time lapse dolly or a motor dolly with the appropriate controller. The time lapse engine is from Dynamic Perception. The joystick motor controller is my own design. I will post more details later.

I got the joystick off ebay. Look for "potentiometer joystick" They are used for security camera controllers and claw crane games. The motor controller is from

http://www.basicmicro.com/RoboClaw-2x5A_p_47.html

Belts are 3/8" XL series from,

http://shop.polybelt.com/XL037-Poly-Steel-Belt-Roll-Open-End-3-8-Wide-BXL037-...

The 12 volt gear motor came from.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/61282/Dayton_2L008_Parallel_Shaft_12_Vdc_Ge...

The pulleys and belts are XL series for 3/8" wide belts. The outside diameter of the pulleys is 2 inch.
The shafts, flanged bearings, and shaft collars are all 5/16". The shaft collars have set screws which makes them easy to install. All the drive components were purchased from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/FR1810ZZ-Shielded-Miniature-Bearings-VXB/dp/B002BBD3D2/...
Hardware can be purchased locally also.

I purchased the 80/20 aluminum extrusion from eBay "80/20 Garage Sale", they sell 80/20 with slight defects in color or minor handling marks for much less then on their normal web store. Search for, "T-Slot Aluminum Extrusion 15 Series 3030-L"

http://stores.ebay.com/8020-Inc-Garage-Sale?_trksid=p4340.l2563

and the linear bearing,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-20-Inc-T-Slot-Aluminum-Double-Flange-Linear-Bearin...

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Motorized
• Dolly
• Timelapse
• DIY
• HD
• Camcorder
• DSLR
• High-definition Video
• Camera
• Digital
• Canon

[paulcotto]

I just updated the description Nov, 21 2011 to include links to most of the parts I used to build the slider. Enjoy!

[CharlesHenrySanson]

Very nice construction. Are you an engineer?

[paulcotto]

@CharlesHenrySanson No, I have been an aircraft mechanic since 1984. I have been inventing and building things I need since grade school. Look at some of my other video's to see other things I have made.

Thanks!

[midilab01]

really good job... how much did you spend finally? (i'm not english so i don't understand at all what you say even if is very clear so i don't know if you already said that). Thanks for sharing with us your project.

[paulcotto]

@midilab01 I think I spent about $400 for eveything.

[paulcotto]

I purchased the continuous belt from polybelt. DOT c o m

The motor came from drillspot DOT c o m

Thanks!

Paul

[scottrellwi]

Wow, this is really great work. I just found the 8020.inc website this weekend, and my mind is buzzing about options for DSLR sliders and cranes. I totally understand the mechanics of the slider, but could you tell us a little more about the electronics and programming required to make this work? Maybe another tutorial? I am interested more in the unit as a motorized video slider, but it is neat to think it could be used for time lapse as well.

Thanks in advance.

[Dustin121781]

Have you figured out a silent motor option yet?

Great job with this!

[RSBSTEADICAM]

Nice job,

Glue bubbles on the ends for leveling.

[persons0]

Thanks for uploading. I have one question. Did you get both the Dolly Shield and Arduino board from Dynamic Perception or did you buy the Arduino board separately?

Thank you

[sleepydbag]

Is it strong enough to pull the camera up an angle of say, 20-30 degrees?

[midilab01]

@paulcotto Thank you!

[bautroi70]

Very nice work there . Wonder where did you get the drive belt and sprokets Thanks