$15 DIY steadicam in 15 minutes!

In this Awesome Directors Project tutorial, filmmaker Zach King demonstrates how to build a $15 DIY steadicam in under 15 minutes.
[[ Shopping List ]]
Power Drill: amzn.to/1tppTw1
Galvanized Steel Pipe: amzn.to/1YpLnV6
1/2 inch Metal T Joint: amzn.to/1ZyFsf2
Metal End Caps: amzn.to/1Ygkl2L
½ inch Metal Flange: amzn.to/1tpqf5P
1 inch thick wood:
¾ inch Screws: amzn.to/1YbGDm9
¼ inch Machine Bolt: amzn.to/1Xo6ubl
Washer: amzn.to/24ug63k
2.5 pound Weight Plate: amzn.to/1RVKyMF
Post questions for Zach at / thefinalcutking
Watch the rest of Zach King's Awesome Director episodes: • Playlist

[@Emma-nc8cc]

Tool Power drill with quarter inch drill bit To buy at Local Hardware Store 3x - 1/2 “ Steal Pipes - $2 1/2 “ Basic Joint Tee $2 2x - ½” Metal End Caps $1 ½ “ Metal Flange $1 Inch thick block of wood - size depends on the size of your camera $1 3x - ¾’ Screws $.50 center per bag ¼’ Machine Bolt $.50 cents 2.5 Pond Weight $2 Hope this helps :)

[@D4RkAssas0n]

It hanks for this

[@Emma-nc8cc]

sure

[@JordanCann]

You're sweet. Thanks

[@lirtik]

Thank you

[@achmadhusaini582]

Emma Sarr thanks you

[@ShinzouVideos]

1. I want to thank you so much for making this D.I.Y.! My friends and I just made this for an upcoming film and the results are CRAZY! We do a lot of fight choreographed films so compared to how our shots looked before we made this Steadicam, this thing makes our work look almost professional! 2. As for as making this for $15... I don't know where you shopped but you got amazing deals on your ingredients. Ours totaled up to $30. But, hey! It's still better than spending $700, right? Right.

[@nas_20.02-7]

Share your film wth uss plz

[@NeoYTFilms]

GUYS, FOR PPL COMMENTING SAYING THIS COSTS OVER 15, ISN'T IT OBVIOUS CUZ THIS VIDEO WAS MADE 4 YEARS AGO!?! PRICES WERE DIFFERENT AND LOWER BACK THEN.....

[@GranVlog]

+NeoFTW™ inflation yo

[@JoseFloresEC]

NeoFTW™ That would make it $16.18

[@nkulimaseko]

Tha running shot on 2:30 is amazing. I'm sold. Challenge Accepted ! ! !

[@finalcutking]

@rorkimaru yeh, i'll be posting more on my second youtube channel

[@Pleasedontmakeascene]

You could definitely tell the difference between the 15, 700 and a regular 5000 dollar steady cam, but for 15 bucks, that was pretty effective. Gonna try and build my own this weekend.

[@seansdfilms]

The Slanted Lens channel made a DIY tutorial on how to make a homemade shoulder rig which pretty much does the same job as the steadicam, except you put it on your shoulder and not hold it in your hand. BUT, the design of the homemade shoulder rig can also be used and modified to be both a shoulder rig AND a steadicam. Just hold it by the handle, add maybe a few weights on the side, and it is flawless!

[@zackblackmon]

I made a few modifications to this design. Instead of a piece of wood, I used the metal cover plate for a 1900 box. Also, I added foam pipe insulation over the metal bars.

[@ellemillsaps]

Just made this at home with a few adjustments: galvanized steel pipes cost more than gas pipes, which are the same, just cheaper and hold paint better.It works well, but I wouldn't call it a true steadicam. The issue comes from the lack of range of motion. If it were on a gimbal or some free moving thing instead of a stationary block of wood, it might be a little steadier. Still better than no steadicam and was fairly simple to create.

[@DihelsonMendonca]

Thank you for the excellent comment. I was just guessing if this thing work or not, because I can´t purchase a good steadycam for my Canon T5i.

[@mechashoujo]

@@DihelsonMendonca I have the regular T5 but did you end up finding one that works for you?

[@novazee]

without any moving parts how's it going to stabilize the camera?

[@FancyFramePictures]

The further away your hands are from the cameras censor the more stabilized the image will be. You dont "need" a moving part, it just helps it get even smoother (:

[@zaoofficial3746]

That what i want to ask

[@kunald4993]

JZ EXACTLY...

[@wellnesspathforme6236]

It increases inertia so that the camera will be less likely to "jitter" with small forces applied by your hands. Think of a tripod as doing the same -- but it is has the inertia of the Earth, and all the people walking, jumping, falling, etc... don't bother your camera one bit because of Earth's incredible amount of inertia. "Stabilization is all about ENERGY. You input it, and the rig has to attenuate it. One way to attenuate energy is to swamp it -- in the case of inertia, that means putting it into mass. More mass means that it takes more energy to get the same effect. In lightweight gear like you and I are using, that also means SKILL, learning to move while also putting less energy into the rig. This takes practice and a rig that is properly set up -- and lightweight rigs are more sensitive to balance and technique than one flying a 25-lb camera, just like it's harder to paint a portrait than to paint a house." steadicamforum.com/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&controller=topic&id=25695

[@wellnesspathforme6236]

@@FancyFramePictures >>The further away your hands are from the cameras censor the more stabilized the image will be.

[@Duhblin]

Just finished building mine 5 minutes ago. Cost me $28.14 and took about 15 minutes to build. So simple and it works GREAT!!

[@RedOnyxProductions]

I recently built this, thank you VERY much for the easy to understand tutorial, this will really help me out.

[@RALIF.ISMAIL]

"i spray painted it black so it looks more professional.." HHAHAHHHAH ME TOO

[@hayden7520]

he spray painted it black so he could run faster while holding it

[@ROLTSteele]

Indy Mogul AND Zach King? That blew my mind

[@yong2947]

Me too bro

[@flamestardanheat]

I made this! AND OMG. This is so effective even when running this was pretty stable. Amazing stuff!

[@BeatricFilm]

Best DIY steadicam ive seen yet. Thanks a lot!

[@Kealohilanifilms]

Made one. It works AWESOME! Thank you :)

[@mckenleytoussaint9450]

Kealohilanifilms Yes

[@gav225]

false it is 1am i can not go to the hardware store right now

[@hipdude5277]

Gav Fitzgerald same it’s Christmas

[@zachtrapper2398]

fly to other side of world

[@maxmanwar]

false, you can go get the truck, accelerate to 50mph and go inside the store at any moment

[@rickybobbytalladega]

Best and simplest build with the best results that I've seen. Great job, I'm getting the parts today!

[@gandsproductions5105]

Did it actually work as intended?

[@MyTofuProductions]

I built this today, and it is amazing. Thank you so much FinalCutKing!

[@Aleziss]

you should thank Johnny Chung Lee for this, he came out with the EXACT settings with pipe and weights almost 10 years ago...

[@LasDivine]

aaand done. cost me $47 at home depot in Vegas. So price has shot up in 4 years if we think inflation was that much... Thank you regardless.

[@yamajestykingneto]

does it work?

[@LasDivine]

it does. It feels pretty good too. I spray painted mine a copper brown color.

[@Sirllortedlov]

do you have any test shots?

[@sdsd33]

You could have bought an actual steadycam with that lol

[@Toxicclay]

I reccommend attaching it to a selfie stick, then balancing it on your finger

[@JoshuaEvans88]

Thank you!!! I just made this same model for my real estate photography company!! I cant wait to use it tomorrow for my next shoot!!

[@EagerSnake]

I did it and it works really really well. Thanks guys.

[@deanthefieldbench]

Alright, so I built this. One thing you guys should know is that it's FUCKING HEAVY.

[@tazrianahmed3070]

it works?

[@srinivasbengalurumysuru]

After building and using your walk will becom unstable and we have to build a gimble for our body also to stabilise our walk 😬😬😬😬

[@techzimo]

Actually this cost me about $30.... -__- but its still pretty awesome :)

[@indymogul]

INFLATION :D

[@idrinkpowersteeringfluid]

Yeah it cost me $30. But buying supplies from my local ace might not be the cheapest.

[@joefederico1217]

+bushwood4568 $45 at Home Depot

[@kidactionnews]

+techzimo Yeah, I paid about 25 for my supplies from my Ace. Then again, Ace isn't the cheapest. And you can't forget that I haven't even gotten the quick release yet... Oh well!

[@1thess523]

Yeah when he was giving the prices i thought "did he go the the dollar store because those prices aren't realistic"

[@JordanCann]

Zach, you're too dope! Love all you're work and everything you do. Thanks for this

[@OneGuitarist]

Love it! I like making things anyway, so I'll be trying this out. Thanks for the great video! Super helpful.

[@ajayrathore8704]

how to balance it

[@Liberti_Deveraux]

& this is why I FUCKN LOVE KZbin. #ballinonabudget great video

[@nina9346]

I'm SO excited to try this! Thank you so much!

[@AD-Dom]

I added a few rubber stoppers between the weights just to add a bit more stability. Great DIY project!

[@Yirmayahu1]

I made one of these for my grandson. It costs a little more because I had to tweak it for a special application. He has an IPad Mini that doesn't have a screw attachment. So, I went to the hardware store and got a three inch table vise with some felt padding. The clamp uses a screw clamp to attach to the wood and I attached the felt to the two surfaces of the clamp so that the IPad doesn't get scratched. He loved it. We built it together for his 13th birthday. I bought the weights for the bottom but they aren't a snug fit. I think that if I ever make another one I'll use some lead ribbon weighting in the fishing department at any good sportings goods store. and just put them inside the bottom pipe. It will be a bit more expensive, but the weights won't rattle or move around at the bottom. Thanks for your video. The steadicam made for a great present. He liked it more than all of the other presents. Everyone is happy.

[@comtruise3150]

Yirmayahu Ben Yaakov You're a good granddad.

[@HellaS147]

can someone explain to me how does this work? running with the dslr in your hand vs running with the dslr on a block of wood? how can there be such a big difference??

[@FoddyFogHorn]

The weights at the bottom do all the work

[@maxxyang3723]

+Dutery your hand makes a lot of small movements and shaking, the weights on the stabilizer help you not do that

[@shafinr]

+Dutery The closer your hands to the lens, the more movement. Your hands might be the most stable of all, and you'll still have noticeable shake on your footage. The way it's made, it shifts the weight to the weights so your camera is not having a lot of close movements. I couldn't explain it right, but you'll see a lot of difference if you experience it

[@noobpower96]

+Dutery Inertia

[@vitiare]

Magic.

[@LaughingSquid]

Bought all of the supplies yesterday at Home Depot (the weight was bought from Dunham's) and it came out to be around $30 for everything. I also added sticky-back felt to the top of the wood so my camera is protected. To keep the weight from making noise or moving around, I added a little foam and sticky felt. Haven't tested it out yet since I haven't painted everything yet, but I'm hopeful. Awesome tutorial. Thank you :)

[@KinetoscopeSC]

It was easy to build by your instructions. Used it on the video "Blue". I've been practicing. It is actually quite steady. Thank you for helping

[@dogbreath34]

At Lowes and Sport Mart in suburban Chicago materials cost more like $30, but your video was put up about 3 years ago. Has inflation gotten that bad?

[@bendoon7010]

Am curious do you use your $15 device or the $700 one?

[@MamaWantsWafflesHub]

Obviously the $700 one, the $15 one is to help you get used to using steadicams until you can afford one.

[@worshipwarior]

this is awesome zack keep it up

[@ayra4]

This is really helpful. Thanks, you guys!

[@jswilson64]

That's really cool! Just like I thought it was when I saw it in Make: magazine several years ago. At least credit the original inventor, Johnny Chung Lee...

[@carson6495]

If you don't have a drill this can cost a lot more.

[@rileyroosblad9461]

You can always borrow one

[@333dae]

well the drill is reusable for other projects

[@schmedia2537]

If you don't have a drill... you can't do DIY stuff to begin with. Lol

[@GENFX303]

If you don't own a Cam, a drill is the least of your worries.. ;-P

[@333dae]

genfx303 why'd you even watch a tutorial for a diy camera accessory without owning a camera?

[@corduroy99]

this is so excellent! thank you guys

[@finalcutking]

@mikecelles yes it was.

[@BatonyRobson]

I have a desire, i have 15$, but fuck...i have got no such shops.

[@benpress8884]

Dude that piece is a FLANGE, nit a FLENGE

[@waynesherwin3054]

THIS

[@alexpanzer632]

NOT

[@horusxfilms3413]

Dude that word is Not, not Nit

[@thaikarl]

Horus X Films: Reely?

[@JTFuller]

DUDE, this is incredible.. I love this. Works amazing... thanks

[@WhatTechShow]

I LOVE THAT SHIRT! The color goes well with you!

[@szagud]

"Invalid or Deleted File." = no pdf in link^^

[@chazulueta5879]

Please re-upload! We want that kickass steadicam!

[@gkeeper555]

can i get confirmation from just one person that this project was indeed around 15 bucks and it worked sufficiently well?? (or at least got rid of the camera jitter)??

[@oldVideoGamesChannel]

including spray paint and wood, it cost me closer to 40.

[@WeSaySunrise]

It ended up costing me about 20 dollars, but it works as well as my cousin's 500 dollar version.

[@Vino_b]

We Say Sunrise where did you guys bought those steel pipes and the rest?

[@LegoEhitaja]

Eyo Yousee I bought mine from a building shop. In america it is called a Home Depot or something like that

[@Vino_b]

Ah i really want these things pff.. or i will make one with pcv. Shit holland haha

[@justmadeit2]

Good job and explained in a clear, easy to understand way

[@jon.lervold]

Cost me $28 to buy all the pieces today but that cost was very much worth it; my moving footage is so much smoother. Thank you!

[@igorschmidlapp6987]

No credit to the inventor, Johnny Chung Lee? Search "$14 camera stabilizer"

[@rarevisionfxproductions5895]

45 on parts bs lowes hit me in the balls when i cashed out i asked the cashier could she repeat that again i said indy mongol said $15 sob

[@ThatWasComedyy]

This shit had me dying lmfao

[@NeoYTFilms]

RAREVISIONfx productions LOL IT USED TO COST LIKE THAT 4 YEARS AGO.

[@Federico84]

NeoFTW™ so in 4 years prices go up 200%?

[@NeoYTFilms]

It depends for the products lol. Prices steadily increase

[@unterschleif]

Looks great, definitely gonna try that

[@KinetoscopeSC]

Very practical. Thank you for sharing.

[@ShutterAuthority]

This doesn't work half as good as one with a gimbal.

[@MNRealEstateVideoscom]

The one with a gimbal costs $700+ more.

[@ShutterAuthority]

Not really. I've used some which cost 75-100USD too. They work pretty good. Certainly way way better than this one. I'm actually going to be posting a review video of one of those soon.

[@ShutterAuthority]

The S-40 works great for DSLRs. Check it out.

[@MNRealEstateVideoscom]

I will, thank you!!

[@aaimginggraphics2411]

the s-40??...by who??

[@lordfucktard]

Love this but $1 for a bit of wood? Are there people in this world that don't have any scrap wood? This is a foreign concept for me.

[@EzraYong]

Not everyone's a maker 'round this part of the neighbourhood. :( I agree, scrap wood is a better choice.

[@lordfucktard]

I suppose if you have no choice it's ok. I have a workshop full of the stuff but wouldn't have a clue where to buy a small piece like that for £1 lol different worlds I guess

[@gibsonrhylesuminguit3777]

the BUILD GUIDE (PDF) is no longer. where i can download the new pdf guide? :)

[@bansheemoon]

Fantastic!

[@bertuuuuuu]

are you zach king vine?

[@TheWaldocrazy]

Davide Bertorello yes

[@IAMDIMITRI]

I would do it handheld rather then using that.

[@lividlady7576]

Dimitri T You must have really steady hands

[@iPodiMaster]

LividLady he has the steadiest hands in the universe

[@IAMDIMITRI]

You could just use your existing tripod in horizontal position while extending 2 legs to balance. I'm not saying saying that you cant make 15$ steadicam but this one seems to be shitty. There are other versions with gimbal that you can make, its not that hard. I'd rather but a grip for 12$ and use that instead.

[@BigNate84]

Good stuff! Gotta love the home made steady cam!

[@davidbrooksiv]

just made it and it works great! thanks!

[@OneStudPuppy]

Knock Knock… DEAD DOWNLOAD LINK!!

[@FlowersNotHere2]

50 pesos jajaja a huevo viva mexico! (50 pesos = around 2.5 usd)

[@DesiEntropy]

Thank you for this! I just made mine. Will be testing it outdoors tomorrow. :)

[@VildanKorjenic]

Amazing. Thank you guys!

[@pepstelevision]

Hey final cut king my steadicam cost 31.98, because of you i broke the bank, and now have to pay 45$ in overdraft fees. THANKS

[@lesleyremboldt4547]

Not even steady

[@TaenXD]

Not even straight

[@TaenXD]

JC Ndoci not even gay

[@Randomguy2012vids]

Taen fuck you and your profile picture lol

[@AbirSpeaking]

ikr --- my hand hold device might do better

[@AlejandroRuiz18]

this dude makes magic with his videos

[@netheraxe4738]

THANK YOU. This looks great !

[@DenisMaybach]

Can afford a 1000$ Mac Book, makes 15$ junk piece of crap

[@westonsmith6444]

+Denis Höfer Mate he has an 800 dollar steady cam. He was giving a solution to budget filmmakers.

[@GlitchDLM]

Would be all well and good except half of this shit is impossible to find in Liverpool because all of the DIY stores seem to be ran by half-wit-arseholes.

[@PVPonTubeYou]

Hahaha! Same in Yorkshire!

[@mathieualbrand1104]

I built it. Cost me 40$ altogether (home depot) but it works great so no complaints. Also I had to use a flange instead of an end piece to hold the weights (the holes were bigger than the end piece - so take that into account) Make sure you machine wash is the same size to fit the bottom of your camera.

[@LightshDeee]

OMG! really realy thank you so much! Can you do timelapse slider?

[@RainFeel09]

THANKU SO MUCH; 2 channels are awesome!

[@pottyparodys.9793]

Zach is awesome! He does awesome magic...

[@Jayxgovember]

That's awesome !! More the weights you put on it the more stable it will become ( For Further Notice )

[@EvanKiddFilms]

Thanks for the tutorial, good ideas.

[@weiliencen8901]

Thanks for the tutorial

[@RockysLife]

This is pretty awesome!!

[@edwinombac]

Cool, thanks for the idea!

[@MrCDThomas]

Thanks a million this was very easy to build. I also added a bicycle grip to the handle for better grip and it is more comfortable for me.

[@loveabuttersquash]

Thank you so much for this helpful video

[@Carlitto314]

This was very useful! Thanks!

[@BreakyourboundariesTv]

This is awesome...definitely gonna build this!

[@iliftmlg1473]

That was really awsome im going to make that thank you for the DIY :)

[@cregan55]

I built this,was easy,cheap,works great! Thanks!

[@FullOfFlail]

Definitely trying this

[@cregan55]

i built one of these,works great,easy to make,thanks!

[@junyuanlee1349]

Awesome!! pretty good and useful 👍

[@ScottandDevonTV]

Oh how this reminds me of BFX. Shall we cherish the moment we have for this one of the few DIY builds we have in this day in age.

[@DanielAlexichDuran7]

I made this and love it!

[@WilleWallinHerrdin]

THANK YOUS O MUCH!!!! im gonna build this it looks so awesome!

[@pikaskillz6625]

Thank you this is so cool

[@TheSocialPlayground]

very useful, helped a lot

[@jensen9507]

I built this a little while ago. One thing I recommend doing is buying a strong clip to keep the weight held down. Another thing I did was buy two bike grips, cut off the ends of one and squeeze them both onto the poles for grips (took a long time and some sore hands though). This build is also great if your just looking for a DIY Fig Rig. Still trying to find some sort of easier way to get the screw into the camera instead of using a penny or screwdriver.

[@dannylitrox]

Excelent job!

[@LukeBender2]

Thanks guys! I did this and it worked great. Ended up costing a little more because I bought an old tripod from the thrift store and then using the top and attaching that as the mount instead of the piece of wood. It's so legit haha cheers!