How to Make a Video Camera Moving Stand

Any tripod will fit on this homemade dolly.

A video camera moving stand--known in the industry as a dolly--is at its most basic, a wheeled platform on which a camera rests and by which the camera operator or dolly grip (the person specially trained to complete complex motions with the dolly) moves. A dolly is a fantastic tool that adds depth and character to a shot. Constructing a basic, bare-bones dolly is fairly simple.

Things You'll Need

• 29-inch by 36-inch sheet of 1/2-inch thick plywood
• Skateboard wheels and associated hardware, 8 pack
• 4 aluminum angled brackets
• 4 bolts, four-inch, 1/4-inch diameter
• 4 nuts, 1/4-inch
• 4 washers, 1/4-inch
• 2 yards scrap carpeting
• 2 PVC pipes, 10-foot sections of 1-inch pipe
• 4 PVC end caps
• 2 wood boards, 29 inches long, 1-inch by 3-inch
• Drill with bits

Instructions

1. 

   Standard skateboard wheels work fine for a basic dolly.

   Mount the skateboard wheels to the angle brackets. Drill a hole through the middle of the 90 degree angle in the center of the bracket. This will allow you to mount the completed set of wheels to the baseboard. Drill two more holes, one on either face of the bracket, then mount the skateboard wheels with the wheel hardware. You should have four sets of two-wheel pairs.

2. Mount the sets of wheels to the plywood platform. Drill a hole 2 inches from each corner of the plywood, then attach the sets of wheels using the 4-inch bolts, nuts, and washers. Place the washers on the outside of the angle bracket, as well as under the nut when you screw it on to tighten to the platform.

3. Drill a hole through the PVC end caps, 27 inches apart, 1 inch in from each end of the 1-inch by 3-inch board. Attach two end caps to each board.

4. 

   PVC pipe becomes your dolly track.

   Attach the end cap boards to the ends of the PVC pipes. These are your spacers for the dolly track. Lay your tracks on the floor.

5. Ensure the dolly wheels fit properly on your dolly track by laying the dolly platform on the track and performing a camera move. Make sure the track lies on a flat, even surface, and watch to see if the dolly sticks, skips, or bumps. A little talcum powder on the wheels will help make for a smoother ride.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses when working with power tools.

References

• Backyard FX: Build a Tracked Camera Dolly for Cheap