Building A Steadicam

I recently agreed to film a friends wedding that is upcoming in August. This will be

the fourth one that I put film and put together, and really have come a long way for someone who simply does this as a hobby. 

My first one was shot with Hi-8 back in the late 90's, then Mini-DV for the second

and third wedding tapeings. 

Aye carumba - the time it took to transfer video to the computer with composite

video and firewire cables.  Now that was time consuming!  But this time it will be via usb - definitely faster.  Another step up I'm looking forward to is the addition of a steadicam rig. While my newest camcorder has image stabilization built in, the problem with it is if you try to pan a scene it doesn't look smooth and tends to be jerky.  After seeing what a steadicam can do - just search it on youtube for some samples – All I can say is it really enhances the video – looks really pro. 

Now a steadicam rig is certainly not cheap - why they can cost upwards of $800!

My solution to that is to build my own.  Borrowing on the design put together by 

WSClater and others on youtube, it really doesn't seem all too difficult. 

Perhaps the trickiest part will be balancing it.  And of course my goal is to keep

costs as low as possible.  That will be achieved by using parts from around the house.  Some parts I have had to purchase.

From Amazon.com I bought some skateboard bearings and u-joints for the gimbal. 

I will be sure to post pictures as assembly progresses on it.  For sure I'll have to finish it well in advance of August!