How to Make a Camera Crane / Jib for $30

A camera crane (or jib) can give you some amazing shots, but tend to be pretty expensive. This version will give you the same functionality and is portable, too! All you need is $30 and your own tripod to get started.
Stuff I use: www.amazon.com/shop/thefrugal...
PARTS LIST:
1- 10' length of chain link top rail
2- training wheels with rubber grooved tires
1- dumbell handle with screw collars
1- Simpson Strong Tie A24 angle (Home Depot SKU# 590007)
1- roll of 50lb. test fishing line
1- small hook & eye turnbuckle
1- quick plate from your tripod
2- 1/2" PVC plugs
1- 1/2" PVC end cap
1- 1/2" PVC tee
1- 1/2" PVC elbow
1- 1/2" PVC pipe (3" in length)
1- 1/2" PVC pipe (5" in length)
3- 1/4" machine screws (1 1/2" in length)
4- 1/4" nuts with nuts
1- 1/4" lock washer
2- 1/4" fender washers
1- 3/8" bolt (3" in length)
1- 3/8" bolt (4" in length)
7- 3/8" nuts
2- 3/8" fender washers
1-4 3/8" washers
1- 3/8" lock washer
1- knobbed 1/4" bolt with 5-6 exposed threads
1- 1/4" screw (2 1/2" in length)
1- 1/4" wing nut
PVC ratcheting cutters
Harbor Freight Tools: www.harborfreight.com/ratchet-...
eBay: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-532...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000...
PayPal donation link: www.paypal.me/thefrugalfilmmaker
Blog: www.thefrugalfilmmaker.com
Facebook Group: / thefrugalfilmmaker
Twitter Feed: / frugalfilmmaker

[@fabioarx]

The best, simplest and cheapest project I've ever seen... Really amazing...

[@finster101]

I realize I'm late to the party, but I just found this and have to say what an awesome build! Thanks for sharing

[@BigGuyReview]

Great idea. I love the ability to be able to tilt the camera as you crane up or down. This is going on the "to do list". Thanks for the video and the time. -John

[@tacrewgirl]

Wow, your videos are always impressive and frugal. I like how you show everything required from tools to items and then show step by step instead of rushing through it like other vloggers. Thanks.

[@darlingtondavids]

Honestly I have searched everywhere, compared every crane but nothing beats this one for price and ingenuity. I salute you.

[@mbunds]

..."Grind down the edge on the sidewalk"... I love ideas like this! This works extremely well, and will save you the expense of a bench grinder or Dremel grinder until you can afford one.

[@wexfordparanormal]

This has been fantastic. I finished mine today with a few slight design changes only to allow me work with the materials I had to hand. I have a cannon xm2 on the end and I have to say it is working like a dream. Thank you for guiding me through this build.

[@jeepingupgapingtooth]

I like the DIY mindset. Not just for saving money. We as people usually use photography or videography as a creative way to express ourselves, but we generally only use our creativity on the end product. I think that sometimes even if the stuff you make might limit you, on the other hand it might open up new channels of creativity that you might not get from just buying equipment. Also what ever you make you have a general knowledge of how to fix it if it breaks. Great work!

[@TardProductions]

I came across your videos and have to say Thank you! I have used several of your ideas already and will be building this one soon! Hope yopu will be making more soon! Thanks again!!

[@JonathanLawrence_Director]

Really impressive set up. I like the simplicity of it. I have never had much success building my own stuff but but you clear instruction make it look very straight forward. I think I will spend some time checking out your other tutorials. Keep up the good work.

[@TheGhx]

@thefrugalfilmmaker can't wait for the 2.0. Planing to build one once the video is out and thanks for these awesome DIY

[@rollingvee]

It looks like an awesome design. Gonna try this I think. Thank you so much for posting.

[@shortstopanimations6143]

this helps a lot. saw another DIY jib crane for around 100 bucks that didn't have some of these cool features. thanks

[@frugalfilmmaker]

You should be able to use the composite breakout cable (which ends in RCA ouputs) to connect to your RCA inputs. If you don't have those on your monitor (or camera/DVD player with an AV input), you'll need some kind of adapter.

[@awilly11]

i absolutely love this concept! building one myself but i may just got with your plans!

[@cratedigger89]

Wow man! Fantastic as always! And completely worth the wait!

[@150877z]

The best DIY crane. Great job !!!

[@TheEricmac1985]

this is by far the best tutorial on building a jib.......... thanks man great stuff for us poor film makers xD

[@jjm875]

this is such a cool tool. I love the way you solve the problems in a low cost way.

[@Dandriv25]

Excellent design! Gonna make me one of these!!

[@bjarni1995]

Dude, the most impressive build yet, so amazing design. just speechless :D

[@littlethreat]

I made this today, it took a little over 3hrs, and that's only because we (my bro and I) did not follow all of the steps directly, but in spite of that hiccup, it went swimmingly, it looks great and I went ahead and added the 2.0 parts, so thanks for making that update. I cant wait to test it out!!!

[@WashingtonMoyo]

This is kool, your rigs are easy to follow plus clean enuff that you can show up at clients place, with your face up.. thank you for putting the time and effort, to make these tutorials.

[@HugeTimeProduction]

MADE IT!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!! only issue; my tripod is not that great, but we worked around it. We are shooting action sports stuff so I actually skipped the weights and just had the camera guy hold it. Its a pain, but cheaper and works. I have used it in two videos I have made now and I love it. It works great and a lot better than most we looked at simply because you can control the angle of the camera from below and it does not just simply hold the 90 degree angle that most others have.

[@CarlosfaroyOficial]

I did mine, excellent working, thanks.

[@UsedNewsToday]

Genius design. The shots look great.

[@LadiesWithCameras]

Hurray! I have just finished building my crane!!!!! Thanks! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!

[@amkarman]

thanks mate. i have been working as weeding movie maker for last 3 year and i was looking for some kind of crane. but you video help me a lot.

[@netzeroutube]

This was simply amazing work. I'm sure you're on version 2 or 3 after learning from using, but this 30 dollar DIY is incredible and beats stuff that cost 6 times as much!

[@MrAmericaFreedom]

I sincerely thank you for this very informative video! It is exactly what I needed! I plan on getting the things needed tomorrow, and make one asap!! Thank you very much for sharing!!!

[@ranger7theseries]

This is GREAT! I was looking for something like this to do model work. :) Thanks!

[@syntheticsolace]

amazing!you have given me hope of having my own jib soon!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

Got 'em on eBay, but you can find them at most department stores (like Wal-Mart). Be sure to check out the Frugal Crane 2.0 video where I replace the training wheels with garage door pulleys for the same price.

[@MrSuhail111]

perfect way of making jib/crane nice work Thanks

[@BMSWEB]

Amazing work!! Some really great ideas here!

[@loveabuttersquash]

Very valuable video for me - GREAT job. Thank you

[@frugalfilmmaker]

You might try a large speaker stand, like the kind DJs use to hold those giant speakers in the air. Drill a horizontal hole where you want the crane pole to connect, and attach it the same way as in the video. My tripod has a Bogen 501 head on Manfrotto 3046 sticks (legs).

[@TijmenDal]

Don't worry, I deal with a 10 feet pole every day... (2:11) Seriously though, very nice tutorial! Definitely the best one out there! Thanks a lot!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@wezhira Thank you! That's the best possible compliment I could receive.

[@pcookieproductions]

I can't wait to build this soon thanks!

[@AustriaGamingTV]

I might try that at some point. Thanks for the response!

[@beaulieu4008]

Thanks for the great ideas. I don't think most engineers can come up with these designs. You are a genius.

[@rowmike27]

Thank god for youtube. You guys are amazing! Thank you for the great upload!

[@Syndrome2012]

This is pretty cool! Time to go out in the work shop!! Thanks a million!

[@steeliconicafe]

This guy, his tech and the Nokia 808 PureView. Awesome!

[@neihuslim]

Nice job. Thanks for sharing.

[@rroningpandan04]

really creative bro, thank you very much for this brilliant idea, hopefully in the future there will be more useful and useful innovations, thanks a lot

[@tony5444]

This is an AWESOME DIY TUTORIAL!!! Damn!!!!

[@linuphysio]

Ohh man, you are awesome..I love your creativity..

[@linuphysio]

Really his videos are great..A beginner who cannot dream about having a heavy expensive equipment like crain, can build one for themselves easily..

[@toby8462]

Built this, worked perfectly although didnt have the chance to video rig it on short notice. Cheers!!!!!

[@yuriboiblu]

this is brilliant my friend. thanks for sharing everything. one of the bests.

[@flwolf2000]

I just wish that all instructional videos on KZbin were as good!

[@sillywhitekidz]

omg when i saw the part showing the jib after the "this is what i came up with" i was like aaaaahhhhhh freakin out that looks awesome

[@frugalfilmmaker]

Thanks for the tip!

[@poncart]

wow..... that was so creative !!

[@creativewwvideo]

Wow...Too Good. Thanks for posting .

[@hauntandheal]

Best. One. Yet. Holy crap!

[@venuslnd]

This is amazing idea. Thanks.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@JaredEtherton The camera actually has a video input. All you have to do is plug in a cable and press rec/pause and an image will pop up. It's the Canon Optura Pi.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

I had one laying around, but you can get them in the specialty hardware section of your hardware store. Usually the same aisle as screws, bolts, nuts, etc.

[@kdiopgh]

this is just AWESOME, ill have to make one for the spring time!

[@MALITHA8]

i simply dont have words to discribe you. you are awsome man......!!!

[@tonya2583]

I'm a aspiring filmmaker myself and i do want to say I enjoy all of your tips & tricks of being FRUGAL and making and building the tools. I do want to say I've been hoping and wanting to see if you are ever planing to build a DIY steadicam and vest combo and as you are aware the good one range from $1,000 and up. This would be the ultimate build if you do you implement your techniques as you do with all of your other builds.

[@tchovideo]

I am going to start building it today. Thank you

[@ardei85]

Great job.I will try to built one.Thanks

[@JonEngland]

Excellent creativity and VERY well-made video. Thanks for sharing your ingenuity... I LOVE the fishing line/turnbuckle idea. I'm sure (if you had an industrious side-buddy) if you wanted to, you could make a small fortune selling the 'kit' to make this! I bought a 'poor-man's' Stedicam years ago that way. I use it all the time and it's made from $15 of Lowes/Home Depot parts.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@JGDeRuvo After shaking all kinds of diameter PVC in the hardware store, I decided to go with the slightly more expensive, yet firm top rail. The tapered end that allows simple setup/breakdown was the clincher.

[@shane8109]

Awesome man!

[@TheMeanZebra]

This is amazing, did you ever consider becoming an engineer. Your creations are so professional. its unbelievable!

[@Corporacion22Robe]

that was awesome! I love that !

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@filmmakingtutorial It was designed for a camcorder, but should hold a DSLR as well. You'll just need to extend the mounting plate to accommodate the wider camera. Not sure of the specific weight limit.

[@dcaramia]

Your a genius. thanks for sharing this!

[@TheAstuteTourist]

Think I may build this, Thanks for sharing.

[@OMPHOTONET-ns5id]

This was a great video... What a fantastic how to! Thanks!

[@SmashingFireFly]

thank you so much man i really needed this in a low budget you are AWESOME subbed :)

[@sam.ruesink]

Great diy! Now with all the money I saved I can buy the tripod needed to support it :D love you're videos!

[@zeal316]

Awesome project.

[@aiyayiovav]

very nice work, thanks

[@frugalfilmmaker]

Drill a horizontal hole near the top of the stand. You can then proceed in a similar way shown in the video.

[@bachalasanmukhrao1490]

sir i am so thank full to you because i wandered for Crane tripod ...you really brought to us with very easy and handy and also a low cost .....now i can make whatever i wanted ...........Thank you thank you thank you so much sir ..............

[@vardor]

Well I checked this out, then I said "eh, forget it, i'll just buy one" then went to the sites where they're sold, saw the ol' price tag, and now i'm back here with renewed enthusiasm! ;)

[@r.yrecsgaleano3821]

Fantastic idea thank you

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@LongboardBurlington My A-camera is the Canon HFS100 (it's in the video at the end of the pole with a wide angle lens), while my B-camera is the Sanyo CG10. The shots of me using the crane was shot by my friend and his Canon HFS200. The Sanyo was used for all the talking head shots of me as well as all the kitchen assembly stuff shot against the sink. The kitchen table stuff is the HFS100.

[@horgavaanitribalsongsandme3785]

great idea, Thank you for sharing this.

[@matthewjeschke]

great channel. You're a life saver!

[@MashitupTv]

this is exactly what ive been looking for thankyou so much!

[@AnikenziMayaki]

Fantastic idea, I start tomorrow

[@canubananu8157]

omg, you're an genius thx a lot for this!!! you can't imagine how grateful i am!!!

[@GJJGENE]

best one i seen sofar nice job i'm on my way to home depo thanks

[@debeeldfabriek]

Fantastic work!! Greetings from Belgium.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@Mystereas It's the Canon VIXIA HFS100. The wide angle lens is the Raynox 6600 and must be purchased separately.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@EpicsodeOne Thanks for the kind words. I studied Film and Media Arts as an undergrad and am currently a taking Digital Filmmaking as a grad student.

[@jacquesProduction]

Real cool man!...guess im gonna build myself one!! thanks for sharing mr Frugal! :) greetings from holland Jacques

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@mtelkaix Thanks. I also added a nylon washer (since the test footage) which also helps. Plus, I need to practice!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@officiallyEPIC1998 The camera attached to the tripod allows a video input from another source. So, all I'm doing is providing that input with the output from the crane camera. This allows me to monitor the output from the crane cam via the input on the monitor cam. I've since switched to a cheap SD monitor, but the original idea still works.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@cratedigger89 Originally, I tried using an L-bracket while keeping the tripod head level, but gravity would always pull the thing over due to the weight. Tilting the tripod forward solved this and allowed me to simplify the whole setup. If you get it to work for you, send me a photo and I'll feature it on the blog!

[@trainsbotting]

Very good! Thank you!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

Some people have used DJ speaker stands instead of a tripod. They are fairly cheap (around $30) and can hold about 80 lbs. Just drill a horizontal hold near the top and mount it the same way as described in the video. It's not as easy to break down, but it might suit your needs.

[@AJ-bz3vs]

So very awesome!

[@JOHNSONWIELKI]

Thanks, looks cool