Build Plans: Dolly

POSTED BY Jerry Rizzo, 24 March 2008

Hello everyone and welcome to the Build Plans for Episode 46: DIY DOLLY.

Shopping List:

1. 6" fixed pneunatic casters x2.
(If you can't find something like this at your local hardware store you can get them online.)

2. 6" swivel pneunatic caster.
(If you can't find something like this at your local hardware store you can get them online.)

3. A piece of 3/4" scrap plywood at least 28" x 38".

4. A piece of 2" x 4" x 8' lumber or a minimum of about 6'.

5. 1/2" dry wall screws x22.

6. 1/4" thread eye bolt with 2 washers and 1 nut.

7. 3/8" x 2" carriage bolts x 12.

8. Flat Washers and lock nuts x12.

Tools:

Drill with screwdriver bit, 1/8" drill bit, 1/4 drill bit, and 3/8" drill bit. - Circular saw - Tape measure - Maker or pen - 9/16 socket and ratchet or wrench/pliers.

The Build

First cut your scrap to a width of 28" and length of 38"

Crop off 45 degree angles to the back end.

Trim the back point off. Square and place your wheels down. The two fixed casters should go in the front corners and the swivel caster in the back.

This step is very crucial make sure the wheels are parallel. Or else the dolly will ride funny and cause the everything to drift. Use a marker to indicate where the holes should go.

Pre-drill all the bolt holes for the fixed caster wheels with a 3/8" drill bit.

Place the wheels back on the wood deck and line up the plates.

Using the 3/8" x 2" carriage bolts and some 3/8" lock nuts bolt the casters to the dolly platform. Make sure the nuts are against the bottom of the caster plate.

Place the rear swivel caster about 5" from the rear edge of the dolly and mark holes.

Pre-drill the holes again with the 3/8" bit and bolt the swivel caster to the dolly.

Flip it over and lets get ready to attach the push bar.

Drop an imaginary line down from the center of your tripod and make a mark on the surface of the dolly. Drill a 1/4" hole there.

Install the 1/4th eye bolt here. This is the anchor point that you will tie your tripod to so it won't bounce around or fall off the dolly.

Measure the height you want your push bar to be. It should come up to your waist or so.

Measure and cut a length of 2 x 4.

Now cut 2 chunks of 2 x 4 to 5". Place them on the platform as illustrated. You're basically making a little box for the push bar to slide into.

Now cut 2 more little chunks of 2 x 4 to 3 1/2". Then box in your push bar.

Drill 1/8" pilot holes and screw together the push bar support box with 2 1/2" drywall screws.

Flip the dolly over and set the box down. Trace around and inside it so that you will know where to sink your screws when you attach it to the topside of the dolly platform.

Place the box into position under the flipped dolly and level the front of the dolly up by placing a scrap of 2 x 4 under the front casters. Screw the box to the dolly with 2 1/2" drywall screws.

Place a scrap of 2 x 4 or 2 x 3 wood on the push bar and decide on the width you like. Cut it to size.

Screw it on top.

Anchor the push bar in its box and you're done!

The Conclusion

This was a very easy build and when you're done you have a nice filmmaking tool. Let us know if you have any build questions by leaving a comment below and make sure and check out 4 Minute Film School this Friday to learn all the cool techniques for using the dolly.