On 1/15/2025 11:19 AM, George Cushing via groups.io wrote:
Not happy with CN build. The height of the center of gravity makes me nervous. Buy the time you get the wheels up you'll have three kind'a?skinny?columns supporting everything. See this CN H-D Dolly discussion for a design with large wheels and a lower COG.
I've filed this design idea away for future consideration.
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I posted earlier about my solution made from a JMI Wheely Bar. Here's a photo in case my description wasn't clear enough. I find this is the best solution I have seen yet.... it is easy to build, easy to roll around and the large wheels reduce vibration going over cracks in the driveway.
Remove all wheels, make a triangular plywood piece that bolts to the bottom of the wheely bar using existing bolt holes, add an axle (held in place with simple pipe clamps) and 8" semi-pneumatic wheels.? Not shown is a handle I made from bent conduit that attaches to the front leg of the wheely bar.? The jackscrews are in their original locations attached to the wheely bar.? Note that the axle is mounted above the level of the tripod leg ends so the legs are only a couple inches higher off the ground than they would be without the dolly and LOWER than they were with the stock 5" wheels.
At rest, it rests on the two rear wheels and the front jackscrew.
In use, lower the two rear jackscrews until the wheels are just off the ground.? Fine tune all three jackscrews for level if desired (not strictly required).? Once adjusted, I tightened double jam nuts on the jackscrews so they were tight in the down position, which adds stiffness and repeatability.
To transport, raise the two rear jackscrews (leave the front jackscrew in place), lift the front slightly with the handle until it is off the jackscrew, hold the end of the counterweight bar for security and roll on the two rear wheels.? Easy peasy and it is VERY stiff with the rear jackscrews lowered.? The only gotcha is to make sure the front leg is secured to the wheely bar (I used a bungee cord) or the tripod can tip backwards if you lift the handle too high.
If anyone wants, I can take a couple more photos.? And yes, you could omit the wheely bar entirely and just use a larger triangular piece of plywood..... but I had the wheely bar already and it provides receptacles for the tripod legs and the jackscrews ;)? Note that without the plywood base, I found the wheely bar to be fairly springy even with the jackscrews down.
Paul
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Paul Goelz
Rochester Hills, MI USA
pgoelz@...
www.pgoelz.com
Ryan Noonan
Ryan