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DIY Steadycam Vest & Arm:
Build Your Own Pro Steady Rig for Under $250

by Dave Harris

[Editor's Note: This article will allow you to make your own steadycam vest and arm, which will work with inexpensive camera steadying devices, The Glidecam 2000 & 4000. The 2000 sells for $299 and the 4000 sells for $399. As such, the combined rig, including this DIY vest and arm and Glidecam would run you a total of between $550 and $650, a fraction of the cost of purchasing an official Pro Steadicam setup that behaves similarly. In a future tutorial, Dave will look at showing you how to create a DIY version of the steadycam itself, so that you can build everything in this rig yourself. If you would prefer to download this great tutorial in .PDF format and print it out, just click here to download. -JTH]

ARM:

  • 7 1/2' of 1" square aluminum tubing, 1/16" wall thickness
  • 2' of 1 1/2" square aluminum tubing, 1/8" wall thickness
  • 10" of 1 1/2" aluminum angle, 1/8" thickness
  • 24” of  1 ½”  wide flat bar aluminum, 1/8” thickness
  • (22) rollerblade bearings
  • (4) 3/16" X 2" eyelets (machine threads)
  • Nylon Locknuts for above
  • (2) small turnbuckles, about 4" in length (3/16” size? Rated for 70#)
  • (2)-12.3 lb. (1-1/16” x 5-1/2”) springs (Lowes, Mfg. by “Hillman co., Cincinatti, Ohio”- Part# 543013)
  • (8) 2"X 5/16" bolts (allen head if desired)
  • (3) 3"X 5/16" bolts (allen head if desired)
  • (1) 5" X 1/4" bolt
  • (4) 2 1/2” x1/4” bolt,washers, nylon locknuts
  • (4) 1 ½” x #10 Machine screws, 8 washers, 4 lockwashers, 4 nuts
  • (60) 5/16" washers (SAE size, NOT cut washers—Their outside diameter is too big)
  • (12) 5/16" nylon locknuts
  • (1) 5-6" reinforced corner brace
  • (2) 3” x 1” brace plate
  • 7/8" square hardwood dowel (preferably oak) --you want this to fit snug (but not overly tight) into the 1" square aluminum... (*note)
  • (28) #10 X 1/2" flathead machine screws, with lockwashers and nuts to match
  • 4 1/2" X 7/8" hardwood dowel
  • Small wood screws
  • Pinstriping tape (1/4")

 VEST:

  • Evenflo ‘Snugli’ front and back pack carrier (yes, I said a Baby carrier!)
  • 26” x 3" wide X 3/16" thickness Aluminum plate
  • 18” x 2” wide x 1/8” thickness aluminum plate
  • 2 sets of ‘luggage straps’ OR Shotgun ammo belts (2” wide nylon, with quick release buckles)
  • 12” of 1” aluminum angle
  • (12) 1”x ¼”-20 screws
  • (12) Nylon Locknuts for above
  • (2) 1-1/2”x1/4”-20 allen bolts
  • (2) ¼”-20 wing nuts
  • (16) ¼” washers
TOOLS:
  • Drill
  • Drill Press
  • Wood saw (I used a radial arm saw)
  • Band saw
  • Hammer or mallet
  • Assorted drill bits, including 3/8",5/16",3/16" bit, small pilot drill bit
  • Spring-loaded scribe punch (helpful, not absolutely necessary)
  • 7/8" forstner bit (for wood)--Paddle bit can be used, but won't make as good a result...
  • 3/8" spire-point wood bit
  • 7/8" hole saw (unless you can use a 7/8" metal drill bit in your press)
  • Countersink bit
  • Angle vise or drill press vise
  • Dremel
  • Fabric/leather hole punch for ¼” hole
  • Flat metal file, less than 7/8" wide
  • Sanding block w/100 grit sandpaper
  • Fine grit sanding paper (for paint prep)
  • Flat Black spray enamel

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