Welcome to all new members visiting this forum for the first time. I thought I'll tease you with a few words of wisdom for all those interested in building a complete stabilizer system. The first thing I'll like to say is don't ever take building a stabilizer for granted. Things are never just black or white. If you want a mediocre design than do yourself a favor and stick with legos.
It takes time to build yourself a descent stabilizer with reasonable resources. If you are serious about getting it right from the beginning, then your time will be well spent if you learn the basics.
The HBS website was first publicized back in 1997. The forum came later the following year. It was made on the concept of sharing my interest in the steadicam sytem which lead to an interest in show-casing my rig to others. Gradually the site grew with more people becoming involved thus wanting to show-off their stuff as well. From then on... the rest was history.
The main website still exist as a show-case and info center to show others that building a rig can be achieved but only using incentive, dedication, determination and patience. All new-comers must understand that building is not a one or two hour affair. Then again, it depends on what you are after, and that in itself cannot completely, constitute a reputable working system. You must have criteria that will stipulate your reason for building a rig. A good set of criterion will put things into perspective and give you a sort of guideline to follow. An example of my criteria:
1. What is your budget?
2. Preference (Dual or Single)
3. Quality (Your expectations. Are you picky?)
4. Weight (What will you be flying most of the time? Your max camera weight. Do you see yourself upgrading to a heavier camera in the future? That sort of thing.)
5. How often will you be using the rig? (Often, seldom)
6. Most of all, do you really need a stabilizer?
The list above is also very useful when contemplating a purchase of a commercial system, regardless if it is a
Body Stabilizer,
Crane or
Dolly.
Now, regardless if I was into building a rig or purchasing one, the list above will certainly help in narrowing down your prospects. Since I'm into building my own rig I know exactly what my goals are and can better stear my do's and dont's in a much more practical and constructive manner. One must always remember no matter how much guidelines you have, no matter how much planning you've done, you will always come back to the drawing board. That's right, trial and error; the two big components in achieving an almost perfect system. By understanding what the job requires and what it entails you will come to find out that it is indeed not as easy as it sounds.
Homebuilt Rigs - the gist of it all:Homebuilt rigs are not for everybody let alone building them. Regardless of what people say, it takes time and patience. Some would think it's as easy as just knocking two pieces of metal together.
It's only easy if you are not too serious about it and really don't mind the quality of the finish work. Another thing that people don't think is regardless of the unit, you must practice to get perfect shots. Charles Papert has stated this time and time again, and I concur hundred times over.
One thing I don't do is, encourage people to build. I prefer to inspire than to say go out and build one and you will get perfect shots.
There are certain elements that need special attention - like the gimbal for instance. One false move and you'll pay for it with the system going of balance regularly. I always say, if you want a descent gimbal then get it machined. You won't regret.
The gimbal is simply not to be taken too literally), a bearing system that allows the sled to rotate freely in all three of it's axis. It is made up of bearings which control the pan, tilt and roll of the sled. It is simply a part of the steadicam system that helps control the sled with it's mounted camera in space, and at the same time, helps in preventing outside forces from acting upon the sled.
To be exact, it uses inertia to resist rotation whenever a force imminates through the steadicam Arm. It is also responsible for placing the sled at it's center of gravity or CG, or usually just below it. It is also one of the most important part in the steadicam system. Next comes the arm.
I have chosen to build my system and have been doing so for the past 9 years. Boy! that long?!! Well, I enjoy it. I always try to better the system even if it means spending more time. That's the key, having the time to produce something of quality will result in a happy operator - ME!
You have to know what you want in a system, and what you are willing to sacrifice in order to get the system that you want. Sure you can build a hand held version and practice with it. If it's not a hobby then you will crave for something better and that's where a full rig will come to play.
If you're pro then you would not need a HB rig. Though I know of people who have built systems themselves and are using those very rigs in a professional environment.
Don't be discourage by what I'm saying. It's better to know the truth up front and be prepared than walking in ingnorant to the facts. One thing is certain - it can be done but you have to be willing to go the extra mile.
If you're serious about building yourself a full rig then you got to understand what the job entails. It' really takes time.
Again, before I even start my ranting you gotta ask yourself if it is worth it in the first place. If you want something quick that will get you up practising right away then save your time and buy a commercial one. It all depends what you want. Simple stabilizers? Will you be doing lots of shots with it; long shots, short ones?
You know, that kind of stuff. Yep, many questions. There are many pros and cons about building a stabilizer, whether simple or complicated. You have to decide on your preference and how much work you are willing to put into it.
Many people here will tell you to just buy one and save yourself the headache. They will say homebuilt rigs don't work. Well, we know the truth about that one now, don't we? As for me, I went ahead and built mine, knowing exactly what I was getting into.
Nine years later, I havn't regreted. Like I mentioned. If you have the time and pateince and most important a damn good knowledge of machinery then by all means but your criterias will decide the path you will choose. I'm a person who hates when people say 'it can't be done' Well they said you couldn't get a man on the moon, right? Well, what do you say now?
So the question is, can a homebuilt perform just as well as the a commercial rig of the same calibre? The answer is yes. BUT! and I do mean BUT! Only, if the build methods are met with tight tolerance. I've said this many many times. You have to know what your criteria is and how far you are willing to go to pay for that extra perfection.
In the end it's the operator who decides the end result. You can look at the many homemade stabilizers to see the result but the fact of the matter if you don't know how to use a stabilizer and you see a bad clip it should not ultimately be decided that the result is from a badly built stabilizer, right? Althought in most cases it is.
Like Charles Papert said:
Quote:
"...is that a skilled operator can do more with a lesser rig than a novice with the best rig available. ...But only if the operator is has the patience to put in the practice time and learn the skill, 'cause no mechanical stabilizer is plug-and-play by their very nature..."There is one tape I truely love. It's an instructional video Jerry did together with Ted Churchill before his death. The instructional video was done when the EFP first came out way back. don't remember the exact year. Now that was a video worth buying. I've learned so much viewing that video, even though I didn't have the EFP.
Ted did such a terrific job in his explainations it's a joy just watching him at work. Both Ted(at the time) and Jerry are wonderful at what they do. It's a joy watching true pros at what they do best.
One thing you will get out of all this, is a new found respect for the inventor and those engineers that make it happen. Hang in there, because it's a lesson worth while and at the same time - Fun!
WELCOME TO HBS. YOUR GATEWAY TO UNDERSTANDING GARRETT'S GREATEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE FILM AND TV INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE TRADITIONAL CAMERA EQUIPMENTS THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE THE DAWN OF MOVING PICS!!!
One comment that a reader asked me about was a conversation he had on one forum regarding the purpose of HBS. Everyone here gave some real good advice. Especially those from Mikko, Job & CP and other Steadicam operators. HBS has never been quoted has being the only solution to a goal but more likely a challenge of creative wiliness. I for one have never tried to 'PR' HBS or make it seem easy. As most here will know that HBS stays true to its purpose of what the site and forum is all about. It's hard work and never a one or two day project. If you want a damn good stabilizer you have the pay the price.
Just remember, there are many many talented people on HBS with very high experience in machining and metal works. So I hope most people do not think HBS is all about making stabilizers out of broom sticks and glue. But again, it can be time consuming if you want the best results.
Remember, HBS was created as a challenge and wasn't meant to compete. But I say that you can build a stabilizer system to equal the pros. Most won't agree with me but when I say that, it means that it will ultimately come with a price. That price would be experience, dedication, time and money.
So if your sole purpose is to build because you find it expensive to purchase one for a one day shoot, than rent one. HBS is a whole different ball game but the results will reel its fruits.
I'm happy folks like CP, Job, Pauli & Mikko respect HBS and the way information is handled, with professionalism. There are many pro operators that recommend HBS. Some even get ideas from HBS and incorporate them into their system. I know this for a fact. As
James Pauli stated
"...HBS is a media where all can experiece the creative flow of ideas on improving on a product."So...that's my wise respond to the growing HBS board members.
Special Note:
...HBS does not condone ripping off patents for their personal gain such as commercial production. Garrett Brown has given HBS his blessings and I intend on honoring that trust with Garrett and the rest of the Steadicam community. HBS has slowly gained recognition within the Steadicam community basically for it's original ideas as well as ideas of improving already made systems. There have been ideas posted here by members which manufacturers have taken advantage off by ripping off the owners. So for those joining, always give something back to the community. Afterall, we do not have to share anything with anyone...but we do it anyway, because we like doing want we do. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE READING THIS BUT HAVE NOT REGISTERED, WILL NOTICED CERTAIN FORUMS ARE OFF LIMITS UNTIL YOU ARE REGISTERED. BY REGISTRAING YOU WILL SEE MORE FORUMS AND LOTS OF AMAZING WORK AND INFORMATION YOU WILL NOT GET ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE NET. IF YOU DO, THEN 99% CHANCE...THEY GOT IT FROM HERE; AS IT PERTAINS TO HOMEBUILT RIGS AND/OR SYSTEMS IN GENERAL. 
SO SIGN UP AND JOIN THE HBS FAMILY.
A small note: To go the HBS website, just click on the link on one of the tabs at the top of the board next to the Log Out tab, that says: HBS Website. 
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