New Gimbal Venture Input Needed

[Carter Raff]

So many of you know I'm a filmmaker who happens to have a machine shop, how convienient. Anywho, I've started designing a new single bearing gimbal, you can see the construction post under the gimbal section. I decided to make this as I'm going to have more than one steadicam on set and the current gimbal I made, although awesome, was a double bearing design. The more I learn the more I realized a single bearing, which all major manuf. use, is more than sufficeint for almost any weight, plus I'm kind of bored and want to make something fun.

The purpose of this thread is to figure out, one: if anyone here is interested in actually buying a gimbal, two: how much they are willing to pay and three: what they want in terms of features and design. Now no one is going to answer I want to pay $6000 for a gimbal as XCS is charging, but what someone is in actuality is willing to pay. First off let me say more than likely the amount of time I spend making them comes out to more than I'm going to charge. SO what that means is the more people seriously interested the better it becomes as I can design within the range of what people are willing to pay...am I being clear, seems to be rambling on trying to get my point across. Anyway, look at the rendered pics below and let me know what you think. I'm pretty set on the design of the gimbal, but not so much on the yoke. The entire thing will be made on CNC equipment and will be very accurate and will be anodized black or for more money almost any color. The grip will be knurled. The handle will bent aluminum rod and look pretty much like those at XCS. Oh and it's for a 1 1/2" post but I might be able to swing other sizes if I can use a spacer or adapter. The bottom has the clamp built in so no bulk clalmps down there.

[Carter Raff]

One more pic.

[Charles King]

Please also state the max load of the gimbal in question. This is important as it might make a difference in what the buyer like to take into consideration.

[Carter Raff]

Thank Charles, at this point it's just a design but as it's designed around the XCS I'm sure it would be able to hold as much as theirs. If you know of a way to calculate that load without building one let me know. Of course this is just to see if their is interest, if there is interest then I will of course builld a prototype and test it extensively.

[Vladimir Korshunov]

Hey Carter!
Drownings are good looking and single bearing concept is definitely better,  because anyway there is only one bearing supports the sled in double bearings gimbal.
I'd like to come with some suggestions, that can be useful:

1. The yoke can be bow-shaped for the reason to give more room for fingers (spot "F" on the picture 1).
2. The clamp ring area (green arrow on picture 2) can be as low as possible for the reason to make handle part as long as possible.
3. The distance between sleds center of rotation  ("R") and weight center ("M" on picture 2) is about 1 inch (i suggest), therefore the gimbals support ring ("S") is to be placed in the level that give comfortable finger placement at the sleds weight center ("F").    This "sweet spot" ("F") is the best for the fine sled control.
4. And the last suggestion,..  well,.. question: There are plenty of fine prototypes and potentially popular products here on HBS (like Chalses rod support system, your top stage e.t.s.), then why do not we try to coop with well known companies and sell called products as extra accessory through them?

[Carter Raff]

Vladimir, as always thanks for the suggestions.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean in #3.
How long of an area as the handle do you want right now I've got 3.625" between.
As for #4 that is definately a possibility.

[Vladimir Korshunov]

I have to simplify it.
Thumb and index finger suppose to be placed on the gravity center level (M). So it is nice to have something to sense or limit fingers position easily : f. ex: part "S" on initial picture to be closer to G center (marked with the blue line).
Therefore the pan bearing house seemed little bit flat to me.

(It is just  my specs  )

Here is one more illustration of the fingers position (the line marks the sleds gravity center):

[Tim Wright]

I would be interested in one. But in all honesty, not sure if I could state what I could pay (not would or should pay) without offending anyone. Any ball park ideas as to cost?

[Carter Raff]

The offer was aimed at getting multiple people together to drive the price down, but I had no takers. If you want one PM me and we'll discuss price.

[Charles King]

I still like to know a some-what gauge price.

[Carter Raff]

Charles, I didn't know if that was allowed? I never did a cost break down but for a one off I start at $1000 as it takes me an entire week to make one, including the finishing.