Make a steadicam out of pipe.
Steadicams are devices used by filmmakers to allow handheld camera shots to appear smooth. They use counterweights to compensate for any bumps that are caused by the operator. Professional steadicams cost thousands of dollars, but you can create an inexpensive one out of plumbing parts. It won't have all of the bells and whistles of the mounts that professionals use, but it will provide a noticeable smoothness to your handheld shots that is not possible without it.
Instructions
1. Pound a center punch into the center of two end caps with a hammer.
2. Drill a 17/64-inch hole through both caps with a drill bit that is rated for metal. Clamp the caps into a vice before drilling for added stability if needed.
3. Thread a lock washer into a 2-inch long 1/4-inch bolt, then thread the bolt through the hole in one of the drilled caps from the inside.
4. Add a second lock washer onto the bolt and screw a 1/4-inch nut onto it. This will produce a cap with a bolt extending from the end. Add a bolt to the second cap.
5. Set a 3-way T-joint on its side. The pipe should fit a 1/2-inch double threaded pipe.
6. Screw a 6-inch thread pipe into the top flange of the T-joint, and 12-inch threaded pipes into the side and bottom flanges.
7. Screw the modified end caps onto the top and bottom pipes, and an unmodified cap onto the side pipe.
8. Put a large washer with a 1/4-inch hole onto the bottom bolt, then put on barbell weights that match the weight of the camera. Add another washer and a nut to hold the weights in place. Tighten the nut as much as possible.
9. Place a 1/4-inch butterfly nut upside-down onto the upper bolt.
10. Screw the upper bolt into your camera's tripod mount as far as it will go; then screw the butterfly nut up to the bottom of the camcorder.
11. Hold the steadicam by the side handle. The weights will act as a counterweight, smoothing any bumps as you move around.
Tags: bolt then, caps with, lock washer, onto bottom, side pipe, upper bolt