Here
it is fully extended up and down.
So
really, how much did it cost? Much less than you'd think.
If you take the field monitor ($350) out of the equation
(at first, I used a second camera set on VTR because I
couldn't afford a field monitor), the jib arm costs around
$85. The largest cost was the bearings (6 large bearings,
2 tie rods ends, and a lazy Susan bearing). The steel
was only about 25 bucks (although I did have some laying
around as scrap). It was cheap to build and took about
a week on and off to plan and a weekend to build. I'm
glad I built instead of bought--it was well worth it.
Hope this was helpful. Feel free to contact me if
you have any questions. Below are some of the questions
I've recieved. This is my version of a FAQ.
I
am low budget film maker who recently completed a major
project, and was looking into getting a jib arm... I am
a little "welding" challenged, and was wondering if there
was another way to go about it? Wood perhaps, or would
it vibrate?
I'm sure there are other ways than welding. You could
make it out of wood, or wood and metal, or go metal but
fasten it rather than welding. You'll have to get creative.
There shouldn't be any vibration issues with using wood,
but it will certainly be larger and heavier than an equivelent
metal one.
Do
you have any specific plans on the jib? I'd like to try
my hand at building one.
I don't have any other plans than posted on the website.
It's great that you want to try and build one! I'd suggest
you look at as many different designs as possible and
then designing your own to fit your needs. Sorry I couldn't
be of more help, but what I put on my website was my attempt
at general plans to build a jib. The great thing about
a project like this is that all the measurements can be
adjusted as needed for your individual needs. Hopefully
you'll be able to design your jib from those pictures
and descriptions. If you have any specific questions,
I'd be happy to answer them, but I really don't have the
time to create scale blueprints.
I
would like to know the dimensions of the box tubing itself.
Also do you think your design would be good for an 11
pound movie camera? Am I correct in assuming the length
is eight feet?
The size of the box tubing for the main arm (everything
but the weights) is one by two inch. I don't know the
exact thickness, but it's probably 1/8th inch or less.
I have no doubt a 11 pound camera would work with my jib,
you'll just need twice as much counter weight. overall
length is probably about 11 feet. from the pivot to the
camera is probably about 7 or 8 feet, yeah.
i
live in chicago IL I was wondering if you would be interested
in building and shipping a jib arm to me i will pay for
the arm stand and shipping costs email me
please at *****@yahoo.com thank you
Wow, I'm flattered. Sorry, I really don't have the time
right now. Plus, honestly, by the time the materials are
bought, I charge you for my time, and then pay for shipping
costs, it might be cheaper to buy a cobra crane or another
commercially made jib arm. I wish I could help you, but
if one of the commercially made cranes will work, it'll
probably be your cheapest option, short of making one
yourself of course. They start at about 250 bucks I think.
If you need something special such that the commercially
availible ones won't work, then I re-encourage you to
try to build your own. Otherwise I referr you to local
fabricator. I just don't think I could economically build
and ship jib arms at this time.
I
am trying to build a Jib Arm. I can't decide
between the parallelogram arm and the double-pulley system.
Any suggestions as to which is easier?
Also, I want to make the length of the arm adjustable.
I was thinking that the pivot at the top of the tripod
could attach to the arm with a clamp, so if I wanted to
move it, I could just unclamp it, then clamp it back in
another position. Do you know a good clamp system
to use?
Great for you! Umm, if you want the arm to be adjustable,
I'd probably go with a pulley system with some kind of
tensioner. That way you only have one arm to adjust and
don't have to worry about keeping two arms the exact same
length. As for the clamp system, the first thing that
popped into my head was a bicycle seat post clamp (you
could also make your own if you really want to be a DIYer).
Another option might be using set screws similar to how
I adjust the weights on my jib arm. Off the top of my
head, that's all I got right now. If I get any great clamp
ideas, I'll be sure to send em to ya. Good luck.
I
was wondering abut where did u use the bearing in the
jib for smoth movement. i couldnt see that can you pls
mail me the pix of its locations. also what was the measurement
of the arms you had used. this shall help e a lot to build
me a jib arm.
I used bearings pairs at the two main pivots. If you look
at the pictures, wherever you see the big hex bolts, there
are bearings on either side of the box tubing. Anywhere
where there is movement, you'll need some kind of bearing.
I used three different types: Tie-rod ends for the smaller
square tubing, The lazy suzan bearing so the jib can pivot,
and the main ball bearings for the large box tubing.
(Reprinted
with permission from Joren Clark's article "Jib Arm"
from jorenclark.com)
