How to Make a Camera Tube Dolly With Extendable Track
Decide on how long you need your track to be for the shots you need., Decide on the length of the separate pieces of the track., Measure the distance between the legs of the tripod., Add everything up and add a bit for testing purposes., Look at...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Decide on how long you need your track to be for the shots you need.
Double that amount.
We bought 18m of tubes based on our tripod and track needs.
This is how we measured.
If you’re using the same length as we did, you can skip this part.
Example:
I need a dolly of 6m:
I need 12m of tube) -
Step 2: Decide on the length of the separate pieces of the track.
For transport, you’d probably want them to be 1m or 1m50.
How many individual tubes will you have? Multiply this number by 30 centimeter (11.8 in) and add to the first number.
These will be the joints locking the tubes together.
Example: 12m of tube divided by 1m50 pieces, is
8. 8 x 30 cm= 2m40 , Round up and add.
Example: a = 75 centimeter (29.5 in), rounded up to 80 centimeter (31.5 in); b = 66 centimeter (26.0 in), rounded up to 70 centimeter (27.6 in); Total: 1m50. , Example: 12m + 2m40 + 1m50 = 15m90 + a bit of extra: 18m , Ours had one thick and one smaller ending, so we had to adapt ourselves.
If your tubes have both endings the same, some steps will be much easier for you.
Some hardware stores might sell tubes with two small ends, but our stores in Venezuela only sold these.
Same applies to your T-sections: ours had to connect on two sides to the small end and on one end to the big tube end, which made a difference in the sawing and measuring. , Cut the other larger tubes in the lengths you want for your track part.
Example: 4 tubes of 3m, cut in pieces of 1m50 = 8 track parts , Take one and saw off a piece with a big end, equal to the top of the T of your dolly.
Take the other tube, and saw off a piece of about 30 centimeter (11.8 in) with a big end.
This will be the lower part of your dolly cart.
You should have two tubes, each with a big end and a small end.
Now, saw those two in half, mark them as dolly cart parts and put them aside. , Saw off the centerpiece of the cart with two small endings.
Mark it and put it aside with the other dolly parts.
Example:
Our tripod measured, rounded up, 70 centimeter (27.6 in) in between.
That’s the length of the centerpiece. , Mark and put aside with the other tracks parts. , Cut them in pieces.
Put these aside for the joints (amount of track parts minus 2).
The rest will be used for testing.
Mark and put aside.
Example: 8 track parts, require 6 joints of about 20 centimeter (7.9 in).
We should have 60 centimeter (23.6 in) of tubing left for tests. , Mark and put aside. , This is where the tripod will actually stand on.
Saw the pieces, mark them and put them aside. , Choose a drill head corresponding to the size of the screw.
Take a track tube from the pile. ,, It’ll be easier to handle. , Leave some space, so the screws won’t touch each other in the tubes. ,, Take the pieces of your dolly that require wheels and place them next to the test tube.
Draw the first line over the complete length of your dolly cart tube.
Keep the lines aligned, and draw the second line.
Do this for all the 4 dolly cart tubes. , opening.
Drill on this mark and add the wheels. , Put your dolly cart together.
Align the wheel lines you made earlier with each other, over the T-sections. ,, Give the whole some time to dry to make sure they’re fixed. , Mark the middle of the joint, and put one line of glue on the opposite side of the opening, from the rim to the center you just marked.
Place this half inside the tube.
Repeat this for the other track parts until you’re out of joints.
You might have two tubes without joints, which is fine.
Put the tracks aside. , Put it aside.
Example:
We taped two pieces of 80 centimeter (31.5 in) to each other in a T-shape. , Line it with foam or some other soft material to serve as shock absorber.
Example:
We used a yoga mat. ,, Your dolly is ready, and you can now think of a cool way of painting your dolly.
We chose not to paint, so none would attempt at stealing our equipment. , Example:
We decided on 6 rails, because that was the amount of useful wood we received for free.
Rails will give the dolly track more stability and keep the tracks more evenly aligned.
Think about building these when filming on uneven streets or in nature. , These will keep the dolly track tubes in place on the plywood. , Put the pieces of plywood and 2x4 under the track, where you want them to be.
The tubes should be tightly nestled in between the 2x4 bits, but you should still be able to take the tracks easily. , Drive your dolly cart of the tracks and check if the wheels aren’t touching the wood.
Adjust until they fit. , Your rails are ready. -
Step 3: Measure the distance between the legs of the tripod.
-
Step 4: Add everything up and add a bit for testing purposes.
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Step 5: Look at your tubes.
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Step 6: Put two tubes aside.
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Step 7: Take the two tubes you put aside earlier.
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Step 8: Take what’s left of the two tubes.
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Step 9: Take what’s left and cut off tracks parts of the same length as the other parts.
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Step 10: You should have a few bits left.
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Step 11: Take all of the joints and saw open from one end to the other.
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Step 12: Take your plywood and choose a platform size for your dolly cart.
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Step 13: Take your test tube and two wheels with their bolts
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Step 14: screws and washers.
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Step 15: Before you start drilling for the wheels
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Step 16: keep in mind:
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Step 17: Put them a few cm’s away from the tube opening.
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Step 18: Don’t drill the holes opposite to each other.
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Step 19: Both of your wheels need to touch the track underneath
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Step 20: while keeping a good contact surface with the dolly cart tube.
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Step 21: When you’re happy with how your wheels roll
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Step 22: draw a straight line across the tube crossing through the good holes on your test tube.
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Step 23: Draw drill marks on this line a few cm’s from the (small!)
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Step 24: Take the tube parts of the dolly cart
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Step 25: the 2 T-section tubes and two dolly track parts.
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Step 26: Test on the tracks with your tripod
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Step 27: until you’re satisfied that all the wheels touch the tracks and roll as intended.
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Step 28: Glue the tubes together.
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Step 29: Put your cart aside and take the dolly track parts and the joints.
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Step 30: Take your plywood and make the platform.
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Step 31: From the rest of the plywood
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Step 32: make a narrow T-shape fitting the shape of the dolly.
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Step 33: Glue the plywood platform on top of the shock absorbing material.
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Step 34: Test and make adjustments if needed
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Step 35: before the whole dries up completely.
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Step 36: Decide on how many rails you can make.
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Step 37: Saw off pieces wood of 2x4 of about 10 centimeter (3.9 in) each.
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Step 38: Place the tracks and the dolly cart in position.
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Step 39: Use tape to temporary keep the pieces of 2x4 in place
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Step 40: or ask a friend for help.
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Step 41: Glue the 2x4 on the plywood.
Detailed Guide
Double that amount.
We bought 18m of tubes based on our tripod and track needs.
This is how we measured.
If you’re using the same length as we did, you can skip this part.
Example:
I need a dolly of 6m:
I need 12m of tube)
For transport, you’d probably want them to be 1m or 1m50.
How many individual tubes will you have? Multiply this number by 30 centimeter (11.8 in) and add to the first number.
These will be the joints locking the tubes together.
Example: 12m of tube divided by 1m50 pieces, is
8. 8 x 30 cm= 2m40 , Round up and add.
Example: a = 75 centimeter (29.5 in), rounded up to 80 centimeter (31.5 in); b = 66 centimeter (26.0 in), rounded up to 70 centimeter (27.6 in); Total: 1m50. , Example: 12m + 2m40 + 1m50 = 15m90 + a bit of extra: 18m , Ours had one thick and one smaller ending, so we had to adapt ourselves.
If your tubes have both endings the same, some steps will be much easier for you.
Some hardware stores might sell tubes with two small ends, but our stores in Venezuela only sold these.
Same applies to your T-sections: ours had to connect on two sides to the small end and on one end to the big tube end, which made a difference in the sawing and measuring. , Cut the other larger tubes in the lengths you want for your track part.
Example: 4 tubes of 3m, cut in pieces of 1m50 = 8 track parts , Take one and saw off a piece with a big end, equal to the top of the T of your dolly.
Take the other tube, and saw off a piece of about 30 centimeter (11.8 in) with a big end.
This will be the lower part of your dolly cart.
You should have two tubes, each with a big end and a small end.
Now, saw those two in half, mark them as dolly cart parts and put them aside. , Saw off the centerpiece of the cart with two small endings.
Mark it and put it aside with the other dolly parts.
Example:
Our tripod measured, rounded up, 70 centimeter (27.6 in) in between.
That’s the length of the centerpiece. , Mark and put aside with the other tracks parts. , Cut them in pieces.
Put these aside for the joints (amount of track parts minus 2).
The rest will be used for testing.
Mark and put aside.
Example: 8 track parts, require 6 joints of about 20 centimeter (7.9 in).
We should have 60 centimeter (23.6 in) of tubing left for tests. , Mark and put aside. , This is where the tripod will actually stand on.
Saw the pieces, mark them and put them aside. , Choose a drill head corresponding to the size of the screw.
Take a track tube from the pile. ,, It’ll be easier to handle. , Leave some space, so the screws won’t touch each other in the tubes. ,, Take the pieces of your dolly that require wheels and place them next to the test tube.
Draw the first line over the complete length of your dolly cart tube.
Keep the lines aligned, and draw the second line.
Do this for all the 4 dolly cart tubes. , opening.
Drill on this mark and add the wheels. , Put your dolly cart together.
Align the wheel lines you made earlier with each other, over the T-sections. ,, Give the whole some time to dry to make sure they’re fixed. , Mark the middle of the joint, and put one line of glue on the opposite side of the opening, from the rim to the center you just marked.
Place this half inside the tube.
Repeat this for the other track parts until you’re out of joints.
You might have two tubes without joints, which is fine.
Put the tracks aside. , Put it aside.
Example:
We taped two pieces of 80 centimeter (31.5 in) to each other in a T-shape. , Line it with foam or some other soft material to serve as shock absorber.
Example:
We used a yoga mat. ,, Your dolly is ready, and you can now think of a cool way of painting your dolly.
We chose not to paint, so none would attempt at stealing our equipment. , Example:
We decided on 6 rails, because that was the amount of useful wood we received for free.
Rails will give the dolly track more stability and keep the tracks more evenly aligned.
Think about building these when filming on uneven streets or in nature. , These will keep the dolly track tubes in place on the plywood. , Put the pieces of plywood and 2x4 under the track, where you want them to be.
The tubes should be tightly nestled in between the 2x4 bits, but you should still be able to take the tracks easily. , Drive your dolly cart of the tracks and check if the wheels aren’t touching the wood.
Adjust until they fit. , Your rails are ready.
About the Author
Isabella Turner
Creates helpful guides on crafts to inspire and educate readers.
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