Video tripod floor dolly to tripod track dolly conversion - using ABS pipe

In this video I'm going to demonstrate how to convert and inexpensive tripod floor dolly into a very portable track dolly system, using ABS pipe for the rails.
I've had a tripod dolly for years and it has proven to be of limited use. The problem with these dollies is that they have to be used on extremely smooth surface such as a hardwood or polished concrete floor, which severely limits their usefulness.
I found these track swivel wheels online. They are made by Glide Gear. As they were only $30, I decided to give them a try, as replacement for the 3 inch wheels, on my tripod dolly.
I removed the original wheels and discovered that the attaching bolt on the new wheelset, would be too long to fit in the threaded insert in the dolly. So, I picked up some one and a half inch by three eights stainless steel bolts at the local hardware store.
These Glide Gear swivel wheels are designed to have some lateral movement that makes fine adjustments on the track very easy and almost self adjusting.
After replacing the bolts, I tightened the nut, being careful to make sure there's just enough tension to allow the wheels to swivel, and, to slide side to side.
For the track, I used one and a quarter inch ABS DWV drain pipe, which can be picked up at your local hardware store. I started with two, twelve foot lengths, which I cut back to 9.5 feet, simply for portability and transport reasons. The two cut off pieces will be used for cross pieces.
I picked up another six-foot length which was used to make two more cross pieces.
In order for the cross pieces to snap in and stay securely in place, they have to be drilled offset, such that the radius point is higher than the center of the rail. This forms a C shape which allows the cross pieces to snap securely onto the rail.
I measured the outside diameter of the pipe and found that a one and five eighths inch hole saw would be an almost perfect size, to match the outside diameter of the pipe.
To determine the width of the cross pieces,I laid the rails down making sure they were parallel to each other. I then set the dolly on top, making sure that all the wheels were flush with the rail on both sides.
My rails need to be 25 1/2 inches apart, so cutting the cross pieces at 30 inches, would leave 1 inch on either end. I then made the cuts on the circular saw.
Both drilled holes in each cross piece need to be perfectly aligned with each other. I found it was easier just to see my marks, if I used masking tape.
Aligning the pipe with the edge of my workbench and holding it tight, I mark centerline at both ends of the pipe.
To help hold the pipe in place while I was drilling the holes, I drilled a Half circle using the hole saw through a block of wood and then clamped that to the pipe. I then clamped the other rent in place once I had it properly aligned.
You can see the hole is offset, as the guide bit is passing through the inside of of the rail.
I cleaned up the rough edges with A dremel, and gave it a test fit. Perfect.
To stop the dolly from sliding off the end of the rails, I cut two more small sections and use them as stop blocks which just snap in place.
The track can be extended as long as required by using additional lengths of pipe. To join them, simply slide short section of inch and a quarter doweling into one pipe, and then slide the next section over top, creating a near seamless joint that they Glide gear wheels can smoothly slide over.
To attach the cross pieces, slide them underneath the rails and snap them in place. For my 9 1/2 foot sections, I used 4 cross pieces.
Next set the track dolly on the rails and add the stop blocks.
The tripod legs drop in to the adjustable receptacles on the three ends of the dolly arms. There are screw locks on each one that prevent the leg from slipping off the dolly.
The movement is silky smooth. This would have been impossible to achieve using the original dolly wheels on a surface like this.
Once snapped together, the full system can be moved around and repositioned as one unit. This makes it extremely flexible and easy for moving around from shot to shot
To disassemble, apply slight pressure downward on the cross pieces, and then pop the rails off.
Overall, this modification turned out better than I could've imagined. It is relatively inexpensive and works as well as other dolly track systems out there, that cost hundreds of dollars more.
It is flexible, easily expandable, snaps together quickly, and is extremely portable.
I hope you found this video and DIY project helpful, and maybe it will encourage you and others come up with some more innovative photography and filmmaking solutions.

[@nedstudios6490]

You must be doing well because this truly should be refined cosmetically and sold on Amazon. Absolutely brilliant. I’ll send ya a check. Can I get 20 foot? Lol.

[@aceentertainmnt9249]

Was thinking the same thing. Something people would pay for since we all have this issue.

[@isaacnadirmatuscolocho5782]

Dear Sir, this is an amazing video that you have produced as well as the great idea you´ve shared with us, thanks, and please keep on doing your videos.

[@DanielScottFilms]

This is awesome. I love how it just snaps into place without the use of tools.

[@RafaOrtegaFilm]

Excellent. I almost sell my dolly before i watch your video.

[@garagemedia1797]

You sir, just converted my dust-collector tripod dolly in real usefull piece! Thanks

[@ImaginetMedia]

Glad to help. That was my exact motivation to make this as well.

[@danielsahagun4367]

Dear Sir: You made my Day. This is awesome, so brilliant. I don’t have enough words to tell you THANK YOU

[@ImaginetMedia]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@johnakridge2916]

Thank you for this. Was thinking about making one of these since the people that sell them are ripping off people for simple tracks for hundreds of dollars.

[@dr.yahyaelewa1628]

Great, Amazing, if it's in my hands, I'll honor you an OSCAR. You're one of few top amazing teachers .. I love the way you speak and explain. Blessings.

[@linguistisch]

Came here from your website to say thank you. Great video and tutorial!

[@LeslieArnelleTV]

very smart . easiest dolly track thus far on KZbin . thank you!

[@Rivenworld]

That Sir, is sheer genius, love it!

[@777demian]

Hi Mr. Imaginet: Brilliant idea, execution, and explanation. Thank you for this inspiring DIY. Dr. Demian Sweet Corn Productions

[@Albanez39]

If only I had the tools...I built a fairly simple light stand with two long PVC pipes (one thicker than the other), and it took me about 15 hours of work during 4 days to finish it. I only had a drill and sand paper -.-

[@jadondamiano5821]

Smooth picture. Absolutely brilliant

[@joshua2025-j9j]

wow ..you are a professional ..theirs lots possibilites

[@MikeVanRose]

Great project, thanks for sharing

[@AnimusNitra-X]

Great, Im thinking about doing it with a monopod. Little less stable but needs much more less stuff and functions in small room with not much space...

[@lookingforplaces]

very interesting video!

[@ImaginetMedia]

Thank you

[@RonRicho]

This is so brilliant! Very impressed.

[@dinorizo5385]

Thnx a lot for making a video like this..

[@mopkrayz]

just what i was looking for

[@divergentfilmhouse3722]

You have done a great, great job. Thank you for this.

[@RafaelAlmeida-ui3qy]

Thank you so much! From Brazil.

[@muhammadzorif2001]

this was soooo awesomeee

[@ImaginetMedia]

Thank you. I am glad you found it useful.

[@ravensatodds]

Fantastic project mate!

[@JuanAntonioAlarcon]

Fenomenal. gracias!

[@itravellight]

Very well done and informative video. Bravo!

[@berrysprocameramanphotogra7242]

CLEVER MAN👍🏾🌹

[@aceentertainmnt9249]

Freakin awesome.

[@tomsalvo6801]

NICE! THANKYOU!

[@juanbarona]

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesWilliams-qw8on]

This was great. definitely very helpful

[@roontunes]

excellent, thanks for posting

[@nz4reel]

Great video! Thanks

[@AlexDerrick_DP]

this is great, but if you raise or lower the tripod doesn't the distance between the legs change? I think you could just put some sand bangs on the ends and just have the pipes ?

[@ImaginetMedia]

No. The tripod can still be lowered or raised with the legs locked in the dolly. Try it yourself with a tripod on the ground. mark 3 points and adjust your tripod height while keeping the tips on the 3 points.

[@woosheroes494]

Great job. Thank you.

[@JaceSmith55]

Wonderful! Thank you Sir

[@AndyBanner]

excellent

[@simongentry]

very cool! ty for sharing!

[@mr.mccormack843]

This was an excellent DIY video, thank you. I ordered a set of wheels this evening, now $39 US. I'm thinking of using two different diameters of pipe. One for each side, and I hope that one pipe will fit inside the other pipe for storage. I'm going to try to motorize it by passing a small cable through the inside of the pipe and them around the outside of the pipe powered by a drill. If I get it all working I'll post another message. I live in Canada too. Thanks again Also, I wonder if end caps would work on the ends as stoppers

[@MayorJED]

great job man

[@spainonair3631]

Good job! Thanks

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

Nice work. Really engenious. But, glidecam. Or a bicycle.

[@BansheeVision]

Sweet

[@TerjeNesthus]

Very good video. I want to make one, but I want to add a motor to it. I wonder how you would do that, i know its a big project but i like your elegant solutions

[@ImaginetMedia]

Here is a good starting point. This is my video on how I added a motor to a camera slider. It could easily be modified to to work on this dolly slider by using a gear motor instead of a servo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWPYkoGBoZKlors

[@davidhefner5668]

Get wheels from your nearby skating rink.

[@The-Filmguy]

Hi there, Greater idea so much so I have followed suit. Just one thing though, could you please let me know what the thread of the shorter bolts are? Thanks very much, Drew.

[@Tophymaster]

Just wow.

[@marioangelosigmapress]

Gostei

[@check-dis-out]

hi there, love this video, how much would you charge me for a rig like this to be shipped to the uk

[@ImaginetMedia]

I think it would be cost prohibitive. You can calculate the shipping charges on Canada Post web site. For the cross pieces they would have to be in a box 36" x 6" x 6" roughly and weigh a few pounds.

[@jonathanfilms8508]

How come these dolly wheel things cost 120 bugs in Germany

[@ImaginetMedia]

I am not sure who this question is intended for. I suggest you shop around on amazon or ebay for alternative wheel options that may ship from a local supplier.

[@VillaFilmProductions]

You should sell it mate!

[@maheral.ali914]

Thanks for this video!! Can you make me 2 ? How much to would you charge ? Ali

[@Future979]

Maher Al.Ali9 😂

[@DjBiz]

Nice Video How much to would you charge

[@ImaginetMedia]

+Dj Biz This depends on how many cross pieces you require and where you are located. You can contact me through my profile. Click on my Channel name, About, Send message. You can reach me thru the twitters @imaginet.

[@DjBiz]

4 cross pieces and and i live in Fort Lauderdale Florida

[@ImaginetMedia]

+Dj Biz Please contact me through my profile and provide a return email address. I prefer not to publish price quotes in comments as pricing is dependent upon several variables. Thanks

[@DjBiz]

Sure no problem i just message you with my personal email

[@DjBiz]

my email is [e-mail]

[@johnmahoney6663]

Can you make me 4 cross pieces? I would gladly pay you for them. I have the exact same dolly, exact. I just lay the track on the floor without cross pieces. I would like to try using the cross piece system. I don't have the ability to make them.

[@ImaginetMedia]

+John Mahoney Please contact me through my channel (Click on my channel name > About >Send Message) and send me your contact details. Depending on where you are located, shipping costs may make this prohibitive.

[@PeterHarveySPP]

+imaginetMedia Very impressive, both the DIY kit and the video to explain how to build it. I live on the Sunshine Coast so I could come to the lower mainland (which is where I am assuming you live) to fetch them. This could be a whole cottage industry for you!

[@ImaginetMedia]

+Peter Harvey You can contact me through my profile if you me to make a set for you

[@chanclaverde]

Awesome DIY. If your cross pieces are 30 inches, how far in from the ends are the center points of the drill hole? Also, I want to use the 4th gear glide wheel as a kind of mono skater dolly for steel rails. What I would do is get a 1/4 20 1 1/4 inch bolt to mount a camera directly on the wheel. Only problem is I believe the original bolt is 3/8 right? So the washers and ball bearing ring would be loose on a 1/4 20 bolt. I might be able to use a 1/4 to 3/8 stainless steel spacer but the shortest I found was 1/2 inch in length. Could probably take it down to length with a Dremel though. Edit: Sometimes I make my life more complicated than it needs to be. Just found this: CAMVATE 3/8"-16 female to 1/4"-20 male Adapter for tripod and camera and tripod www.amazon.com/dp/B01EI2DHRI/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_ZLzuybGVKAGC6

[@ImaginetMedia]

Glad you solved your thread adaptor problem. I was going to suggest a similar item as well. My rails needed to be 25-1/2" apart. Therefore each slot is drilled 2-1/4" from each end. BUT these dimensions are only for my specific dolly. That is why I laid the rails out on a tiled floor (with parallel lines) so I could determine the exact width, with the dolly and wheels centred on the rails. There is some latitude in the width by design of the wheel plates, but getting it as close to dead center is the goal.

[@chanclaverde]

imaginetMedia Thanks for your reply. I ordered the same Ravelli tripod dolly so it ought to be the same width. So is the 2 1/4 mark from the end the center point of the drill hole (where the guide bit would go)? Also, forgive me if I missed it, but how do I know how much to offset the half circle hole? Is it a specific measurement from the "center line" of the pipe or just do a slightly offset hole?

[@ImaginetMedia]

The 30" length is irrelevant. I only chose 30" as that would give me 4 pieces from a 10' length of pipe with no waste. As such, the 2-1/4" measurement is also irrelevant. The ONLY distance that matters is the distance between your rails when the dolly wheels are all centered on them. In my case it is 25-1/2". To accurately determine this width, lay your rails down and place the dolly on them. Slide the dolly from one end to the other making sure the wheels are centered on the brackets. Now at one end of the rails, measure from the outside of one rail to the corresponding outside of the other rail. It is easier to measure outside to outside than center to center. What ever that distance is, plus the outside diameter of one pipe, is the minimum length of rail. Be aware that the length of the legs on the dolly I used are not all the same. The center one is different so the base is an Isosceles triangle and not an equilateral triangle. Obvious point, but one I nearly missed when first setting things up to take measurements.