Make a Camera Table Dolly for Under $20

Create your own rolling camera shots with this simple and easy to make dolly that will roll on any smooth surface.
Stuff I use: www.amazon.com...
Watch "Table Dolly Junior" for a smaller, cheaper, easier-to-build version:
tinyurl.com/9mv...
PARTS LIST:
Cheap tripod
www.amazon.com/..."
2x 3/4" PVC pipes, 3" long
7x 3/4" PVC pipes, 1 1/2" long
3x 3/4" PVC T-joints
2x 3/4" PVC elbow joints
5x 3/4" PVC couplers
1x 1/2" to 3/4" PVC adapter
1x 1/2" PVC pipe, 1 1/2" long
4x 3/4" PVC plugs
4x Rollerblade wheel
4x 1/4" bolt, 2" long
8x 1/4" nuts
Mini ball head
rover.ebay.com/...
Music provided by freesound.org. Here's a link to the clip I used: www.freesound.o...
Camera Table Dolly on eBay
rover.ebay.com/...
Blog: www.thefrugalfi...
Facebook Group: / thefrugalfilmmaker
Twitter Feed: / frugalfilmmaker

[@Daiquiri_Zaiquiri]

The practicality and simplicity of your low budget gadgets are absolutely brilliant.

[@DJPrestonLee]

A kid in my video journalism class just presented his PVC table dolley. Great video! This is great for college students who can't afford expensive equipment.

[@willglen718]

It's people like you bro that make KZbin awesome. Great video.

[@oliveirinha20]

YOU SIR ARE THE MAN! I've been searching for a boompole all over ebay and then i found your Channel!!! And now i'll be pleased to not spend 40€ on that. Thank you very very much! Keep it up. I wish all the success.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

You are correct. It is the same thing as a bushing in PVC-land.

[@Drishticoneproductions]

I used a better quality PVC and it works fine with my DSLR. I am going to post my Dolly test in video response, I hope DSLR users will feel confident about using your rig after watching it. Thanks for sharing your great idea with al of us. :)

[@arfurlife]

theres only one way to describe you are your tips Mr ....Brilliant !!

[@169129]

I made this today, but with a slight alteration. Instead of using bolts and nuts to hold the rollerblade wheels on, I used the original bushing/bolts that held the wheels onto the rollerblades. They were a bit too long, so I simply put a few washers on the bolt, inside the PVC end cap and it worked like a charm. T'his was quick and easy and works great. Thanks a lot!!

[@lornesmith3000]

Great dolly! I built my own based on your tutorial and it works fantastic. You need a very smooth surface to run it on to avoid camera shakes. I have a piece of kitchen counter on a piece of plywood that acts as my table. Works with my T2i and my smaller HF M31 just fine. Thanks for the video!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@PowerOnWheels You don't need cement. Friction holds everything in place and allows for the wheels to cant in or out.

[@Malibas]

Worked fine for me, total cost of ~20$ without tripod head. Thank you!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@BlackCatPurrductions Urk! That's a great point. These are all SLIP joints which are less expensive and have no threads.

[@Dino83]

What a legend! You should do dvds!

[@JennyNguyenDon]

As a poor college student, I definitely appreciate the affordable DIY videos. Thank you!

[@TimMurray360Creative]

You're a genius...I've been looking at lots of these types of builds and your's are by far the best and most practical and very affordable...very very clever...well done!!

[@FilmSquadStudios]

This is the best Dolly ever!! I never thought of making one like it!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

Yep! They should work fine.

[@flapwilson]

Dude, you are awesome. I haven't made any of your projects, but I plan to. And even if I don't, these vids are a lot of fun to watch. Thanks.

[@markflorian23]

Hi Scott, I'm Olivier from Nice on the French riviera ! First of all thanks so much for your tutorials. Now I have my table dolly and I'll create my first professional movie with a great team in France. Because of you I'll get amazing tracking shots and I want to add your name and website at the end of my movie because I want to thank you ;-) keep on working like this ! You're really helpful ! See you soon Scott ! Olivier from Nice on the French riviera ;-)

[@jorgem50]

Thanks for the video. I just built one and I'm using it with my t2i and heavy lens and I have zero issues. Thanks again!

[@RUSTYBOXCUTTER]

@thefrugalfilmmaker it does work for larger cameras as you said. but i did notice that thicker pipes for the structure prevents shakes alot more. also the slight weight increase does not hurt.

[@jorgem50]

I have been using this with my T2i for the last year and a half. I use it in my wedding videos.

[@McStevus]

Thanks for your help - made one the other day and works great - Also using a DSLR camera with decent sized lens and still performs really well (have to hold the camera at all times though).

[@Donato298]

I made this dolly, but with some changes, I used a bracket with quick coupler of a mini tripod with adjustable-ball. So I can leave the fixed base and is aesthetically better. then put the video on youtube here. thanks for the tips. great video.

[@film8ker]

Excellent!!!!!! Thank you very much for taking the time to share your creativity.

[@StingRayINC]

this is better than cinemaskates. awesome

[@frugalfilmmaker]

Yard sales or thrift stores. Wheel and bearing quality is an issue, but if you get a pair of skates you can usually cobble four decent wheels from the eight.

[@vinvin1715]

I finally made one, however here in the UK and maybe other parts of Europe, you cant get all the pieces you suggest, you cant get reducers or end caps such as you mention. So had to make my own. I also found that some of the joints were much loser than I would have liked so had to apply a band of glue to give some resistance. Also I found my Canon HF21 was kinda heavy and kept falling so had to glue the joint in the end. But its great now and still small enough to go places.

[@MeleeTV]

4:35 space for rent! classick! i love your tutorials!

[@ElecTigerProductions]

Standard size for replacement skateboard bearings is 5/16" - often, the assemblies included with most inline skates reduce this to 1/4" so both will work. Just found out "Killer Camera Rigs" has a new edition available with even more camera rigs plus the older ones.

[@Shiyounin]

Absolute work of genius. Thank you so much!!!!!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@TSupraMKIV That's where you need to improvise. The "fiber board" shot was just that, a board over a rough grass surface.

[@AroopBose]

HI! I am from Bombay, India. Thanks for your videos, I think they are really helpful. PVC pipes are easily available in my neighbourhood shops, I need to find out from I can buy the wheels. Once I procure the wheels I will attempt to make a dolly in the manner you demonstrated.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

I don't recommend adding height to this dolly, as you will add wobble as well. If you need it higher raise the surface the dolly is riding on.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

I will work with a DSLR. Many people have done it and say it works just fine.

[@ExoEarth]

This is fantastic! thank you so so so much! parts seem to cost a bit more here in the UK though. got all the parts for about 25 pound.

[@patricksudbury]

you can build three of these with out the head of the tripod. Then attach them together by measuring your tripod, put your tripod feet in the holes at the top of each table dolly, now you have a "Track Free Tripod Dolly". Try it on the show, Scott!

[@Bowhunterjfergus7]

Just started mine now but realized I don't have all the pieces I need so will get it completed this weekend.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

Thanks so much for the compliment!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@DigitalPraise7 You'll need a sturdier tripod head to attach to the rig. Not sure where to get one, but it would have to be stronger (and bigger) than the one featured in the episode.

[@BMSWEB]

Really nice work on this one! Big Thumbs up on this!

[@bernyecheverria]

Dude you are awesome, I've been using your advice for a while now and my video quality has gone up since.

[@pizpiza009]

nice idea .. i wanna make a glass table but i learned how to make a table legs :))) thank you buddy

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@AgentDuckMan You really don't have to. Many people have told me this design works with DSLR cameras.

[@arcade_matt]

AWESOME. I just wish I could build stuff, I literally can't build anything I suck at it.

[@DecendKnightsofmalta]

got my tripod from "source" (radio shack) for $12.99, love this thanks so much!

[@TheRealColeKane]

I like the shots alot. i wonder what it would be like if you could incorperate a dust-mop swivel handle onto it.

[@cpaden7]

Thanks, just made one. I eliminated the couplers by using end caps that slide over the pipe, rather than inside.

[@Geekvision]

Great video. It was easy to follow and I love my new table dolly. Especially since it was cheaper than $130 and Functional

[@theone2225]

this will work with a DSLR, Ive made a few of his PVC projects and they hold my Canon 7d just fine.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@gnarwhal1 I used the 1/4" and they worked fine for me, but whatever works for you!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@wsgFourteen - Cheap tripod - 2 3" sections of 3/4" PVC pipe - 7 1 1/2" sections of 3/4" PVC pipe - 3 3/4" PVC tee joints - 2 3/4" PVC elbow joints - 3/4" PVC coupler - 1/2" to 3/4" PVC bushing (adapter) - 1 1/2" section of 1/2" PVC pipe wheel assembly (x4) - rollerblade wheel - 2" length of 1/4" bolt - 2 1/4" nuts - 3/4" PVC plug

[@OriginalBigRob]

Please bring back this kind of videos if you can. Even if you just redo (and update) all of your videos. Trust me, it would be appreciated!

[@venuslnd]

Thanks for sharing this very useful device.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

Thanks Brent!

[@jorgem50]

@PowerOnWheels I'm using my T2i and I needed to add cement. Otherwise the weight of the lens would make it tilt and fall forward.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@talleat Lock washers on the inside of the PVC plug. I thought I put up an annotation about this but I'll check.

[@kennethestubo2250]

you are a genius sir!

[@rugsr]

just built one and love it thx

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@jvlivs2 Glad you liked it!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@flapwilson Glad you are getting so much out of them.

[@cliffjenhao]

Love your design! Brilliant!

[@curemymind]

when you drag that dolley, you you put a rubber band at the end of the string when you pull it. that way you pull the rubber band to get more stabilization...

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@mogulkey You're very welcome. "The Frugal Studio"... I like it! Hey, you have more of my stuff than I have!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

I just got the Velbon PH-368 and it's a pretty good fluid head (all plastic) for $38.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@thesuperadventurer Ack! You are absolutely right.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@tekfunkik I use the Canon VIXIA HFS100.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

It will. Many people have already confirmed this.

[@markflorian23]

Hi, I'm Olivier from Nice on the French riviera. First of all, congratulations for your work and KZbin channel. Well done ! So I saw your PVC table dolly and I love it. I'll create my first short film in January and this dolly could really help me. It would be wonderful if you could send me by email with details the list of all the pieces you used to build it ( with size for PVC and for the drill with the hole for wheels ). I hope it's possible Scott. In France we use centimeters and not inc

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@SlicedFilms Be careful if you add any height extensions as you'll start to see some wobble. When it's small and compact this isn't a problem, but when I added a 1 foot extension from the PVC light stand episode, the shot became unusable.

[@SethMBurrow]

Horseradish on a toothbrush yum!

[@JJBfilm]

Great job....Excellent details.... thanks for the tip...

[@AdamMurtland]

This is awesome! Definitely making myself one of these tomorrow

[@frugalfilmmaker]

They are your standard Rollerblade wheels.

[@Holysh_tbabu1313]

To make this dolly even better for a DSLR, make the dolly out of gray Schedule 80 PVC instead of white Schedule 40 PVC. It is more rigid and stable, and also has a nice, clean gray appearance when finished. DO NOT glue any of the joints, or paint the PVC. The beauty of this dolly is its complete flexibility, and glue or paint limit that.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@BlackCatPurrductions Is is possible, but will ad wobble to your camera. Raise the platform the dolly is on instead.

[@DonnieGQ]

I just finished mine... but i dont like the tripod head, so im going to try mine.

[@alkazkaz941]

YOU ARE GENIUS!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@musicpreston Awesome. Glad I could help.

[@BrotherBloat]

I'm building one of these in London and I'm having trouble getting the smaller pipes... It's ridiculous, this city has nothing available in all the diy shops... I'll figure something out once the tripod arrives :-)

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@0igres You might need to get a stronger camera mount, but it should work for any camera. Even after my "I don't recommend this for a DSLR" comment, people have used it successfully with a DSLR. Why not the DVX100?

[@adamschwartz850]

This was absolutely amazing. Thanks.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@rickyanys I'm just leery of them being too heavy for the cheap tripod head and falling over. I'm sure you could mod it to work, though.

[@loryas]

El mejor que he visto..

[@AnthonyAmmo]

@6:50 you've added a note that says you decided to put a wacher between the plug and the nut. My question is, which side? You have a nut on the outside of the plug and then you screw another one on the inside. On which side do you use the washer? Thanks for all these great videos

[@Captiv8r75]

Thanks for the video. Tried building mine today. However, the hole for the tripod head is way smaller than the half inch. Looks like some mods are in order!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@eygens You're welcome!

[@vincentsy3655]

Thanks a bunch for these ideas Sir. :)

[@mrchard]

That was really cool thanks!

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@tommyboy0520 Alas, the remaining wheels have been parted out and disassembled in other (mostly failed) projects.

[@SJFILM]

this guy a gene

[@frugalfilmmaker]

It's auto captioning. I'd have to do them all manually, which I don't have time for.

[@TheGoodBadBringers]

I call it the "scolley"!! (Scott & Dolley)

[@talleat]

Anyone have any ideas for how to stop the wheels from getting loose? Great video by the way :)

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@expertmax1 I was trying to poke fun at myself for my framing mistake. Maybe I tried too hard...

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@zachbself Nope. I highly recommend getting a ratcheting PVC cutter ($4 at Harbor Freight Tools). It makes cutting pipe super easy. You'll never look at a hacksaw again.

[@LekhakRaju]

Wow that's awesome, thanks for your help. Love from India. #lekhakraju

[@GenesisMoss]

Okay so. If you want to make this for DSLR cameras all you gotta do is use T joints at the ends and put couplers in the middle and make 2 of the top pieces. After that get a metal plate and drill it to the top and use a 1/4-20 screw and bam you have a camera plate that'll work with a DSLR

[@frugalfilmmaker]

@Infenro Thank you!

[@OsamaQrew]

Really helpful man. subbed!