In this project I will show you how I repurposed two old camera tripods in order to create a motorized camera slider. The mechanical system consist mostly of aluminium and stainless steel which makes the slider sturdy and pretty decent looking. The electrical system consists of an Arduino Nano with LCD, rotary encoder, limit switches and stepper motor. Let's get started!

Step 1: Watch the Videos!

Both video parts will give you a good overview on how to create such a camera slider. But the following steps will still contain some extra useful information.

Step 2: Order Your Parts!

Here you can find a parts list with example seller for the mechanical and electrical parts of the project (affiliate links):

Mechanical:

Aliexpress:
4x Ball Bearing Slide Bushing: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUoIL4W

2x Flanged Ball Bearing: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUwmC54

Timing Belt: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dW2mvFy

1x Pulley: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6Q0Urs

2x 1/4" to 3/8" Convert Screw Adapter: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZYJ4wW

1x Tripod Ball Head: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVVVdsA

Ebay:

4x Ball Bearing Slide Bushing: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

2x Flanged Ball Bearing: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

Timing Belt: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

1x Pulley: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

2x 1/4" to 3/8" Convert Screw Adapter: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

1x Tripod Ball Head: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

Amazon.de:

4x Ball Bearing Slide Bushing: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

2x Flanged Ball Bearing: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

Timing Belt: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

1x Pulley: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

2x 1/4" to 3/8" Convert Screw Adapter: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

1x Tripod Ball Head: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg + http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

Crossbar Holder: http://amzn.to/2bPalMg

Home Improvement Store:

6mm Aluminium, 4mm Aluminium, 8mm 2m stainless steel pipe, 8mm 2m stainless steel rod, bolt+nuts+washers

Electronics:

Aliexpress:
1x Arduino Nano: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dULoNXh

1x A4988 Stepper Motor IC: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dURxDoA

1x 74HC14N Schmitt trigger IC: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUJyMdG

1x 16x2 I2C LCD: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZ46LLU

1x Stepper Motor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d8p6Tr8

1x Rotary Encoder: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZs9jUb

2x Limit Switches: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWwpZzY

Ebay:

1x Arduino Nano: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x A4988 Stepper Motor IC: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x 74HC14N Schmitt trigger IC: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x 16x2 I2C LCD: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x Stepper Motor: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x Rotary Encoder: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

2x Limit Switches: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

Amazon.de:

1x Arduino Nano: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x A4988 Stepper Motor IC: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x 74HC14N Schmitt trigger IC: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x 16x2 I2C LCD: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x Stepper Motor: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

1x Rotary Encoder: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

2x Limit Switches: http://amzn.to/2cHpj7Q

Step 3: Create the Mechanical Parts!

Here you can download the .svg files and the 123D Design file that I created for my design. Feel free to use them or modify them.

Step 4: Create the Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic that I created for this project. You can also find it on the EasyEDA website:

https://easyeda.com/GreatScott/MotorizedCameraSlid...

Step 5: Upload the Code!

Here you can download the Arduino sketch that I created for this project. But make sure to download and include this stepper motor library: https://github.com/laurb9/StepperDriver