Low Budget Aluminum Budget

[Ian OBriant]

Hey Guys,
I'm working to convince my boss we need to build a rig for comercial/industrial video. In that effort, I have condensed the materials list for Cody's Low Budget Stabilizer (excluding the 1/4" plate needed for the gimbal yoke, I plan to machine or cast this.) The Excel document attached is my tentative budget for aluminum from metalsonline.com (thanks, Charles.) Does anyone know of some lower prices? I'm gonna rummage where I can in scrap piles at local machine shops, but the more I pad the budget, the more I can spend on hardware, finishing, monitor, etc. Any way, here it is. Lemme know what you think.

Ian

[Jeff Hipolito]

Hi, I just saw your post from last year.  How did you make out with your rig?  I purchased Cody Deegan's instructions for the low budget stabilizer and was wondering if the parts list you have includes all the aluminum needed for the whole book?  Granted, I'll have to purchase the abec3 bearings and other items.

Please advise,
Thanks,
Jeff

[Larry Mercer]

Take a look at this web site and see if it is cheaper.

https://www.onlinemetals.com/index.cfm

[Ian OBriant]

Actually, the web design part of my job has taken precedence over my cinematic aspirations over the last year. I still plan on building a heavily modified Deegan rig, but life gets in the way. After my wife finishes school, my daughter gets in school, and we buy a house ... maybe then. But I still like to dream and scheme.
In answer to your question, the list I created was for the entire rig's alu needs, except for the plate noted in my earlier post. And I think if you purchase 10% more than you need for the project, you will have just enough for the inevitable miscut or weld burn or whatever. Besides, its alu, its gonna get used somewhere!