Ball Bearing Jib Arm w/ Motorized Pan & Tilt

 by sensoryhouse
Featured
jib.jpg
Turn a telescope arm, workout bar bell, and scrap metal into a jib arm (camera crane)!

This 'Ible to be updated with more info over the next month or two.  If you like this project then check back for updates.

Basically there are 6 components to this jib arm, listed in order of difficulty to build:
1. Fork (connects the arms to the bearing)
2. Bearing Mount (connects tripod to the bearing)
3. Camera Mount (connects the arms to the camera/Meade)
4. Arms
5. Counter Weights
6. Meade Telescope Arm Assembly (Motorized Pan/Tilt)


Peep the video for some epic test shots.  And stay tuned at the end for a sneak peek at the next project (slider+jib)

DIY Ball Bearing Jib Arm (w/ Motorized Pan/Tilt) HDSLR from Brad Justinen on Vimeo.

 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Fork

6324433309_6e1cc00732.jpg
6325185514_9534cf0a07.jpg
6324433229_3d1eea7544.jpg
6347162026_7ba058c92d.jpg
6346411169_f0ec96089b.jpg
6325185784_26c611a441.jpg
This is the only step that requires welding.  (lol at my welds btw)

-Made from 3/8"x2" steel flat stock.  The fork will bolt through the pillow block.
-Bronze Bearings (Bushings) which insert into the steel fork (this is very important). These bearings are for the up/down arm movement.  These can be found at some Home Depot / Lowe's but the best place to get them might be your local Fastenal, they are nation wide and have a huge selection. 
slowsam says: Nov 24, 2012. 9:15 PM
How fast can you move the head?
Like if i were to create this and use it for snowboarding videos or action, how fast would it move?
Jeekoos says: Jul 14, 2012. 7:23 PM
what kind of power are you using for the arm? 8 x AA's or something else?
Drayson Design says: May 15, 2012. 9:59 AM
Write this man a check! Great work as always my friend.
johnnyharmonic says: Apr 24, 2012. 5:05 PM
thank you so much for all the hard work, trying to copy cat you right now.... wondering how much space is in-between your two arms? what is the total height of the Fork? and also the length of the C- Channel? thank you very much for all your help!
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to johnnyharmonicMay 10, 2012. 7:43 PM
4" between holes. Fork is 10.5". C-channel is 6" high.

sorry for the delay. if you are like me you already figured it out. even if you had to remake your first fork. like i did. lol.
Hossi says: Mar 2, 2012. 12:23 PM
Hello! Thank you for your work! Lot of required information i got here.
Tell me please, were can I get Meade arm or something like that. I live in Ukraine, I have not found such or very expensive( from 1000$ with telescope only). I have no idea what is Craigslist. At ebay expensive too(150$-200$ without shipping). Tnx!
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to HossiMay 10, 2012. 7:38 PM
$150-$200 without shipping sounds about right. 

Here is the cheapest retailer I can find in the US. They may give you a better price on shipping than some ebayer.

This website has lots or remote pan and tilt options too.  Servocity.com.  You could try building your own pan tilt with some hobby servos also.

hope this helps
tigerbomb8 says: Feb 1, 2012. 7:47 AM
can someone please tell me the weight of the arm
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to tigerbomb8Feb 1, 2012. 8:40 AM
can you be a little more specific?
cchambers7 says: Dec 13, 2011. 10:37 AM
Hi, great stuff, very, very helpful but could you please give me a part number foe the Meade head? I'm having trouble finding it on their web site. Thank you.
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to cchambers7Dec 15, 2011. 5:48 PM
The Motorized Pan/Tilt arm is from an Meade Autostar Telescope. They can be found on eBay. They are also known as the "Milapse" mount. Milapse is the user name for the guy that pioneered this hack.

Doesn't have a model number. They can be found in two color though. Black and Blue/Gray. The Blue one is newer and has an addition bearing for the pan movement.
Dr.Bill says: Nov 27, 2011. 1:07 PM
Nice smooth Video. Too many times we have to look at jumpy videos and it is irratating at best.
Yours are professional quality. Thank you. I am going to forward this to a Photographer friend in Montana.
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to Dr.BillDec 5, 2011. 12:51 AM
Thanks man. I have seen a lot of jumpy videos too. I had to redesign this thing a couple times until the video was 100% smooth. Glad someone noticed.
fsagroup says: Nov 27, 2011. 9:01 AM
Why didn't you use Aluminum in the construction? Perhaps 3/8" Aluminum...
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to fsagroupNov 27, 2011. 11:52 AM
besides the fork the entire thing is aluminum. I cant weld aluminum so I used steel for the fork.
abreuma says: Nov 25, 2011. 6:08 PM
Great instructable! I've read this thing quite a few times since it was posted. I know you're coming back to update it - here are some things I'd like more information on... I'd like to see more detail on the counter-weight end. Are those bushings or bearings? If they're bushings, why not bearings? Did you buy the telescope stand new for this or did you have it sitting around or did you find one used? Any thoughts on arms that come apart so the whole thing fits in a car? Where do folks find bushings, bearings and "pillow blocks"?
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to abreumaNov 26, 2011. 11:30 PM
They are officially "bronze bearings" but bushings can be the exact same thing. I have updated the project with links for the pillow block and bronze bearings. The easiest place to get them is Fastenal in in my opinion. They are nation wide and they have wide selection. I got my 2nd and 3rd Meade arm on Craigslist for around $60 with the telescope. The first one I overpaid for on eBay at around $120. If you don't live in a big city you will probably have to pay more.
-chase- says: Nov 26, 2011. 9:31 AM
Nice - though i'm not sure which impresses me more
- the Jib arm or your workshop... ;0)
(i'm admiring your work area and so much stuff to make more stuff with! drool drool)

Seems smooth enough  - have you thought of adding a motorized rize and fall using a motor similiar to your pan tilt? I would think a pan tilt rotate head from an old Vari-lite or similiar would work great for this. And the old ones can be picked up rather inexpensively.

though you may not need anything that beefy since you don't have much weight to deal with.

A thought anyway...

Great job... now lets see the bigger 25' jib arm with motorized telescoping extensions... Ooooo...aaah
well sounds like a cool next project... especially with all those tools and all that stuff to make it with.
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to -chase-Nov 26, 2011. 11:23 PM
Been contemplating a servo controlled rise/fall for sure.
coolmilo says: Nov 25, 2011. 4:59 AM
this is great, just wish I had all the tools like you. Let me know when you start taking orders ;)
justinlamoureux says: Nov 24, 2011. 8:58 PM
Awesome! I'll be busy building one of these and replacing my dolly too! Great inspiration and almost nauseating footage!
tcarney57 says: Nov 24, 2011. 9:20 AM
Wow!! What to say? Not only is this a wonderful (as in, "full of wonder") project for what it is, it's also an inspiration, and so is your very-well-executed video. Tell us . . . . . . What video editing software do you use?
sensoryhouse (author) in reply to tcarney57Nov 24, 2011. 2:02 PM
Adobe Premiere because Apple ruined Final Cut Pro.
confu says: Nov 24, 2011. 10:35 AM
Impressive!
And I wish I had such a workshop in or at least near my flat. :)
The music in the vid is also well-picked in my opinion, perhaps you could let me know what that was?!
Cant_touch_this says: Nov 24, 2011. 9:08 AM
This Is the coolest Jib Arm DIY i have ever seen!
uliises says: Nov 24, 2011. 8:04 AM
MARVELOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, a question is there any calculation or formula that should be taking into account for positioning the control tower about the tubes
npasulj says: Nov 24, 2011. 7:17 AM
I'm in love with your Jib Arm ^^
Really Impressive, very nice job :-O
\o/
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!