RE: Lugging a Monorail

[Flotsam]

A while back in a thread called "Lugging a Monorail" I mentioned a solution that I came up with last fall. A couple of APUGers expressed some interest in seeing pictures of it so I snapped some frames on the end of my last roll. It's nothing especially clever but maybe it will give someone an idea. I wasn't sure how to post it on APUG's server so I just stuck it on mine. Here's the link for anyone interested :

http://www.nw-vdr.com/monorail

-Neal

[David Hall]

Dear Flotsam,

That looks pretty cool. Is it stable enough with two of the three feet of the tripod being mobile? Seems like even rocking in a breeze might be an issue?

dgh

[Flotsam]

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (David Hall @ Mar 28 2003, 12:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
That looks pretty cool. Is it stable enough with two of the three feet of the tripod being mobile? Seems like even rocking in a breeze might be an issue?

dgh </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
I just use the wheels for toting the camera around. When I&#39;m setting up a shot, I remove the wheels and use the tripod normally.

[Aggie]

..

[SteveGangi]

I like your setup, and I think Im going to copy it.

[Jeremy]

Flotsam,
I'm planning on building one of these suckers before I head out on vacation. In your link you said you would make some changes and I'm wondering what those would be.

jeremy

[Flotsam]

Hi Jeremy,

Mine has worked out great. I've hauled it easily over pretty rough terrain to places that I would have never gotten to if I had to carry my stuff (more than 5 feet from my car ). It is quite functional as is but now that I've used it for a while, I can see few changes that I plan to make.

As I mentioned, it was a bit of a mistake to think that I should leave the camera at the top of the pod while hauling it. While convenient and it does work fine over shorter distances, it is not the most efficient set up for the longer treks that I have discovered are possible with the thing. I plan to add a good, rigid way to support and protect the camera, especially the ground glass, in a lower position, as close to the axle as possible.

The other place I've noticed that my original design is less than optimum was in placing the axle directly beneath the bottom cross member. I think it would be much more stable with better weight distribution if the axle were placed up next to it, lowering the center of gravity and putting it in a more balanced, supportive position while being tilted and hauled . I put a quick drawing in the non-gallery to illustrate what I mean: http://www.apug.org/site/main/album_page.php?pic_id=407

If you get a chance, check out these wheels that I ran across on the 'net: http://www.beachcartsusa.com/buywheels.htm Total overkill and way too expensive unless you plan to regularly haul heavy equipment for longer distances over rugged terrain, but wow!, they would be the ultimate dream wheels for this project.

When you get yours put together, make sure you post a shot of it. I'm interested to see how it is adapted and improved by others.

-Neal

[Gary]

A while back, I found a need to get my 8x10 farther away from the truck than I could manage. So my idea was to alter a baby's jogging stroller. I found one at a pawn shop for the unbelievable price of $40. and built a box for the camera. With 3 separate compartments inside for backs, lenses and the body, it works like a charm. Still a little rough going in deep sand, but I'm working on it. For trails and such, it seems like the only way to haul this beast. It's a B&J with 2 extra backs and 4 lenses. Weighs about 2 tons. More than I could carry. If someone could explain how to upload an image, I'll show you.

[Thomassauerwein]

Just get an old golf bag cart and a couple of bungee cords. These carts are designed to roll over terain. Then when you decide to move colapse the tripod legs and bungee cord to the cart and off you go! I got mine at a garrage sale for 5$

[BobF]

I've used the golf cart idea for a coupla of years and just upgraded to a NEW and improved lightweight version that I got for $3.00 at goodwill. It has large foam rubber wheels that are 3" wide so that they float over sand. It also breaks down and folds to almost nothing for transport. Much better than my old standard beast.

Don't know if this type can hold up long term. If not I can pay the big $ for a replacement.

BTW if the tripod based system that Neal made works better for you the wheels from one of these old golf carts would work great. I used them on a fold up canoe carrier years ago. They are cheap, large diameter and lightweight. You may have to stop at a few thrift shops till you find one but you can also get a black cape to use as a darkcloth.