Posts: 7
Threads: 2
Joined: Jul 2014
Dual rail system are:
Lighter.
Rails can be multiple sections for easier transportation, and modular lengths if properly designed.
I already have 2 4' pieces of 0.5" OD carbon fiber tube. They deflect roughly 1/2" when I hang 10 lbs at the midspan. I m thinking I'll be closer to 6 lbs though when I'm done building.
I also have lots of scrap Nomex honeycomb, carbon, glass, and Kevlar scraps to build the other components.
Down side to this I think is it could be harder to design (not impossible) a center mount to attatching it to a single tripod at the midspan.
Extrusion:
Linnear bearings make mounting the camera gimbal to it cake.
Expensive. (Ok, carbon fiber isn't cheap either, but I've got if already).
Heavier.
May be wrong, but I am pretty sure you're stuck at a fixed length.
Center mounting the slider on a tripod would be very simple.
Now, as far as drive systems I like the idea of a moving belt over the fixed belt so that the stepper motor can be mounted of the end of the rig minimizing flex. The downside would be rubber belts in cold conditions aren't the greatest. I probably won't be shooting anything in Alaska or Greenland for a few years, do thus probably dies t natter. Lead screws or a cheap n' dirty allthread drive really sounds good to me, but again it's heavy, costs more (way more if using a real ballscrew shaft) and doesn't break down for a modular design. I'm not stuck on this having to be modular, but if I build it, why not make it a beast?
If you have anything to add that would be great. Tell me what you like of hate about your slider.