Introduction: Stereo Photography Track - Quick and Dirty

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About: You might call me "Jack of all trades, master of none"; "All" is definitely an exaggeration but I am interested in lots of "trades" and try to master at least the basic steps so that I understand what the real…

 Some time ago I stumbled (again) over some stereo pictures. This time I had to build my  own simple rig. I am not going in depth of the principles of stereo or 3D photography; there are many and very detailed web pages about this subject. I rather show a solution that practically everyone can build by her(him)self  (At least with the help of a good friend).
In the last step you find a few pictures for 'cross-eyed' and 'parallel' viewing.
A little guide to 3D viewing you find HERE

Step 1: Find the Materials

Question was, how do I move my camera 2.5" or ~6.5cm in either direction. Somehow it has to slide to the left and right. Alright, you need a 'track' and you need a carrier for the camera.
I sifted through all the stuff in my basement and found this steel track, maybe once used for a sliding door. Also a nice piece of hardwood where a cutoff piece of this track would ride on.

Step 2: Cut the Track

The wood was 1" thick. With a bit of sanding it would fit nicely into the metal piece. I drew up a sketch and run over to my friend, an experience wood worker. A few cuts on the table-saw later I had a nice track my metal carrier could ride on.

Step 3: Build the Camera Carrier

The mounting hole at the bottom of a camera is made to accept a 1/4" - 20 screw. Back in my basement I drilled a 1/4" hole in the middle of the metal piece, inserted a 1/2" long screw and secured it with a nut. There was enough thread sticking out to screw the camera on.

Step 4: Prepare the Wooden Track

I thought drilling a 7/16" hole in the bottom of the hardwood would be enough to accept the screw of my tripod. There is really not much wear and not much weight to support. Should this thread wear out I always can replace it with a pronged tee nut.

Step 5: Finalizing the Track

Last step was to limit the way the camera carrier can ride which is 2.5" or roughly the distance between your pupils. 2 nails would do this job. To avoid splitting the wood I pre-drilled slightly smaller holes than the nails.

Step 6: The Job Done

All in all it didn't take me longer than 2 hours and to be honest, the assembly was a bit wobbly first. I inserted some Styrene shims and now the whole contraption slides smoothly back and forth , or rather right (first picture) to left (second picture).
I hope at least some of you can enjoy my first stereo pictures I took this evening in my yard.
The first 5 pictures are for 'cross-eyed' viewing, the rest are for people who find it easier to use 'parallel' viewing.