Saturday, January 1, 2011

Step 6: Adjusting the balance

These photos show the camera and stabilizer balanced on my kitchen counter, and how many washers I used for the counterweights during my first video test.
The forward weights can be used to fine-tune the left-right balance of the stabilizer, since the center holes of the washers are much bigger than the #8 bolt and I can position the washers a little bit off-center. Here I've used a single 1-1/2" washer sandwiched between two 1-1/4" washers.
For the lower weights, I used J-B Weld to attach a 1/4" nut to the end of the aluminum tube. This allows me to attach the weights to a threaded rod which I can adjust fore and aft. Here I've got five 1-1/4" washers and a single 1" washer.
The current setup tends to pitch and roll a little, which I understand means it's a little bottom-heavy. So I'll be fiddling with the counterweights some more.

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