Mini Camera Stabilizer (Flip Float)
January 24th, 2009
My goal was to create a mini version of the Steadicam Merlin for my flip video camera. Four prototypes and much frustration later, I finally had success. With the handle based on the flashlight handle design from user s.haldane, I was able to create a working solution. The two biggest observations that I made were:
1. The light weight of the Flip Video camera makes it extremely difficult to balance out. When in doubt, just add weight!
2. The connection point for the handle is not the same point as the connection point of the camera. The solution is to make sure there are methods to adjust the handle as well as the camera.
If you want to create one for yourself, I’ve provided my google sketchup drawings to help below.
Hey, that big white box doesn’t go away when I’m studying your enlarged pictures and trying to figure out what the heck i’m looking at
Comment by Halohalo on February 12, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Please check that you have the latest version of Flash. I think the white box that you see is the vimeo video player.
Comment by digitaljoven on February 20, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Hey like the product very nice. Also who were you playing on the background music? Tht was good too!
Comment by daniel de la cruz on February 22, 2009 at 5:11 am
Thanks!
The music was “Wait a Minute” by Lack of Afro ( http://lackofafro.com/ ).
I bought it here: http://www.turntablelab.com/digital/0/0/52856.html
Comment by digitaljoven on February 23, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Great Design! One request. I’m not terribly mechanically inclined and it would be helpful if you had some drawings or verbage describing how the flashlight, ball bearing and universal joint fit together. For instance,
1. what size inner diameter for the flashlight (or do you jut get one that uses AA or AAA batteries?)
1a. where do you get the ball bearing assembly?
2. how is the cylindrical ball bearing assembly fixed to the flashlight,
3. how is the ball bearing attached to the universal joint?
4. what size universal joint and where do you get it?
Do you have any idea on how scale it up for a heavier camcorder, one that ways 1 – 2 lbs?
Thanks and keep up the great work.
Comment by wrp on March 4, 2009 at 6:19 am
Hi Wrp,
1. The inner diameter of the flashlight head i used is 15mm. The overall length was 85mm and uses AAA batteries. I basically bought the smallest flashlight at my local OSH that had a large head.
1a. The ball bearing was from my local RC hobby shop. Here’s a link to the exact ones I used. http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/256961.asp (XTM Ball Bearings – 6×13x5)
2. I got lucky with this one. I tried several methods, but luckily for me the ball bearing fit perfectly into the lens of the flashlight. To be exact, I reversed the lens in the flashlight head, then pushed the ball bearing in.
3. Through the center of the ball bearing, I used a small machine screw with a nut. With the nut completely locked on the inner ring of the ball bearing, the screw spins freely of the outer ring of the ball bearing. The outer ring is fixed by the lens mentioned above. Using a dremel I created a flat surface on the machine screw because the u-joint has set screws on each end.
4. Here’s a link to the exact u-joint i used. http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/629539.asp (Traxxas U Joints – Villain)
I’ll add some more photos of the handle assembly. I’ve used my setup with larger camcorders just fine, but if you want a solid larger setup, I suggest you check out this project: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.haldane/stabiliser/index.html
Hope this helps
Thanks!
Comment by digitaljoven on March 7, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Hi,
My name is Dwayne Smith. I’m a filmmaker.
I’m doing some experimental stuff with the Flip HD.
I would like to buy a flip float from you that is already made.
How much would it cost?
Thanks
Dwayne
Comment by Dwayne on March 30, 2009 at 1:14 am
Hi Dwayne,
I appreciate the message, but unfortunately I’m not looking to sell these.
You should check out the following commercial products similar to my design (although made for larger cameras):
Hague Mini Motion-Cam
http://www.b-hague.co.uk/hague_mini_motion_cam_steadicam_type_camcorder_stabilizer.htm
Manfrotto 585 Modosteady
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorder-accessories/manfrotto-585-modosteady-3/4505-6456_7-32778990.html
Good Luck!
Comment by digitaljoven on March 31, 2009 at 1:57 pm
GREAT design!!! i have some questions: (1) whats the specs of the aluminum type or thickness that you used? (2) where can I go to find these aluminum pieces? (3) what technique did you use to create the bends?
Comment by kui2t on April 14, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Thanks for the comment kui2t!
1) I used 1/8″ Aluminum flat bar in various widths. There’s more info in the pdf above with measurements of my design.
2) I buy the flat bars from my local Home Depot and OSH. It’s usually next to the steel bars and other raw materials. Sometimes it’s marketed as “home/diy project materials”. I also sometime buy stuff from here:
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=68&step=2&top_cat=60
3) I found the easiest way to make the bends is to place the flat bar vertically in a table vice. Clamp down and then bend the bar by hand with some gloves or with a rubber mallet. Try to keep the movement in one direction. The more you adjust the bend back in forth, the weaker the metal becomes.
Hope this helps!
Comment by digitaljoven on April 14, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Very nice and simple! Good thing I found this, I was looking into this http://steadycam.org/ but I thought this was designed for bigger cameras. But with the Flip I knew there’s something out there built for this specific camera and especially weight. I must say yours is the best one I have encountered. I will try to make one of these tomorrow and would like to thank you for the pdf. You should consider selling this cause I know tons of people will buy it form you. Are you Filipino?
Great job.
jimmy
Comment by Jimmy Santos on May 6, 2009 at 7:24 pm
HI
I am very impressed by how prolific you are with your brilliant projects. Your website is really nice, too. Are you an engineer by training? I stumbled upon your work by researching a DIY steadicam for my Aiptek GVS.
Comment by karl kasamon on May 6, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Jimmy,
I am filipino and thank you for your kind words. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions about the build. I’ve gotten a few requests to buy built ones, but I never seem to have time. I always seem to be working on something. haha
Karl,
haha
Also, thank you very much for your kind words. I’m not an engineer and often wish I had more proper knowledge in certain technical areas. I work in digital media product development as a producer but previously had worked as a web developer. My passion though is my weekends in the garage where I’m obsessed with bring my napkin sketches to life… it’s amazing what you can learn on the internet
Comment by digitaljoven on May 11, 2009 at 12:57 pm
[...] Steadycam http://www.protodojo.com/content/2009/01/mini-camera-stabilizer-flip-float/ Thank you Protodojo for your slick sketch up design for Mini Camera Stabiliser – available for [...]
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Would you be willing to sell a version of this?
Comment by Joe Correia on June 3, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hi Joe, Sorry, although I get a lot of requests, I’m not looking to sell these. If you decide to build one, please feel free to ask any questions here and I’ll reply as soon as possible. Thanks!
Comment by digitaljoven on June 26, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hi Joe, my compliments! You’ve done a very good job with the Flip Float. I own a Kodak zx1 cam and I’m trying to build a similar version (can’t do exactly your project ’cause the zx1 has the tripod socket totally on the left side. Bummer!) As you may know the zx1 is also a light weight camera. And in fact the Flip-float prototype I’m building swings a lot. May I ask how much weight (in grams) you put on the bottom and how much below the camera? Fine tuning the stabilizer is a real pita.
Thanks a lot.
Mike
I’d appreciate if you would reply by email.
Comment by Mike Custodero on August 31, 2009 at 8:37 am
As requested, I responded via email. For the benefit of other readers though, here was my response:
Hello Mike,
Thank you for the comment! Balancing the device is really the hardest and most frustrating step. I don’t have a method of measuring the exact weight, but on top I used 6 1.25″ washers and 8 1.25″ washers on the bottom. You want the device to be a little top heavy (more weight under the camera). To control unbalanced movement forward and back, slide the camera’s position along the top. To control unbalanced movement left and right, angle the bottom weight to the left and right. Only make these adjustments when you are close with the weight and you should get it to stabilize. I really was getting frustrated until I started adding more weight to the top/camera. Try adding more weight than you think and slowly scale back.
Since this prototype, I’ve given my Flip to my little sister and bought a creative vado hd which suffers from the same off center tripod mount. I built a small adapter that attaches to the camera that adds weight as well as relocates the tripod mount in the center. I was going to try it on the flip float when my friend accidentally broke the u-joint. I’m waiting for a replacement and will let you know if it all works out.
Thanks!!!
Comment by digitaljoven on September 2, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Hi- great design! Please let me know that you are selling some now? I’m interested in obtaining one from you is there a reason why you don’t want to make them and sell them?
Comment by Jahaziel on October 10, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I have an idea for your stabilizing problem. I have been playing with a few designs myself. I have found out that the higher UP you place your top weight (your camera) the more simulated weight it acts as. In other words you could use a riser or a mount on the top to get the camera an inch or 2 higher and it will stabilize with less weight, and thus less fatigue on you. You could use the top of a mono pod or tripod. Good luck!
And on a side note, what did software did you use for your web design?
Comment by Anthony Bonacci on October 16, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Jahaziel,
Thank you for your interest, but sorry I don’t plan on selling these. I don’t have that much free time these days between my day job and other personal projects. My hopes was to post my sketchup designs to allow other people to build them and I’m always here to help.
Anthony,
Thanks for the tip! In regards to my website, it’s based on wordpress and hand coded/modified to look like this. For design I use photoshop and for development I use textmate.
Comment by digitaljoven on October 19, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hi, great work and thanks for sharing it. I am going to attempt making one of these and I was wondering what kind of tools you used to drill the holes and make the bar that the camera slides back and forth on?
Comment by AFX on November 28, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Hi AFX,
Thanks for the comment! The whole construction was done with a drill press, hacksaw, and table vice. The aluminum is pretty easy to bend and cut by hand. I usually just measure the length, place it in the vice, and with some gloves bend to the correct angle.
Comment by digitaljoven on November 30, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Superb…many thanks for sharing your design..I am definitely going to construct a Flip Float..I have already managed to source all the necessary parts here in the UK.Again many thanks indeed for posting all the information/instructions for construction.It is very generous of you
Mike
Comment by Mike on December 8, 2009 at 9:19 am
Amazing Job! I can’t wait to begin the process for my kodak zi8. The only question I have is do you have a link to where I can purchase the flash light? If not do you know of something else that work just as good? Thank you and have a great week!
Comment by Greg on December 17, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Hi Greg,
I’m sorry, but I don’t have a link for the flashlight. It may require a different design, but most flashlights should work. Just keep in mind that you’ll need one that you can remove the bulb/lens so that you can insert the bearing. Also, if you buy a flashlight with a larger diameter, you’ll have to build an adapter for the bearing. Hope this helps!
Comment by digitaljoven on December 23, 2009 at 10:31 am
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Great job on the stabilizer. I’d like to know how far apart the holes are on the bottom section where you have the handle. Thanks.
Comment by Dino on February 3, 2010 at 1:12 am
Hi Dino,
They are .5″ from the center point of each hole. After using the rig, I realized that I mainly used the first hole in the bottom section and adjustments were more effective sliding the camera in the top channel. Hope this helps!
Comment by digitaljoven on February 3, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Nice work — this is just was I was looking for.
Comment by Mike on February 4, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Hi Joven. I finally finished my build of your Flip Float. I’m slowly working on the balancing act now. I got it real close and it’s actually working pretty well but I’m still trying to refine the balance. I’ll take a picture of what I did and feel free to share it with others who may be interested in building one. As I was putting it together I thought of a little design change. I’ll start on that build tomorrow. It should be able to handle anywhere from a pocketcam to a small handheld camcorder. I’ll send you a picture of that too when I’m done. I did the handle a little different. I fitted the bearing in a pvc fitting that’s flanged inside. Perfect for the bearing to sit on. Osh has this fitting and is really standard. I used the same U-joint you did. I threaded the metal part and used a 10-32 screw. You wouldn’t need to use the set screw with the metal part of the U-joint threaded but I went ahead and used it anyway. I’ll get the name of the fitting and give it to you so it can be passed along.
Comment by Dino on February 9, 2010 at 2:29 am
Nice job, i just got my traxxas joints in the mail today, im off to the hardware store to find a brearing that it fits into tomorrow
Do you think this rig would stand up for use while snowboarding? (that is my goal) or would it spin around to much.
Comment by Deven on February 12, 2010 at 11:50 pm