Premium Members Ryan Brooks Posted April 8, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Hello all- I am very new to the Steadicam world. I have taken two 2-day courses (totally worth the time and money investment) and recently purchased a rig. I have been reading the boards a lot and can't seem to find the answer to my particular question. It is possible I am using the wrong terms, if I am I apologize for this posting. I found when I am building my rig I am very nervous about the 20lb camera being held onto the top stage of the rig by a single screw, especially in low mode. Is there something I am missing. I never thought to ask my instructors about this at all. Is this fear silly? Did I miss something and there should be more holding the camera to the plate? Thanks again in advance for the help and I appreciate you taking the time. Brooksy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members William Demeritt Posted April 8, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 What rig did you buy? In general, I think 20lbs is pretty hefty for a single camera tie-down screw, and you may be placing a camera on that rig that is at the top of the weight range intended for that sled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted April 8, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Straight vertical hanging isn't the problem, it's shear load when you tilt, but even then thats not an issue when you use a quality fastner. 3/8-16 grade 2 has 5,875 lbs of tensile (breaking strength) which means it's working limits are 510lbs at thread root for shear, 830lbs shear in the middle and 410lbs of pull strength. Move up to a grade 8 bolt and those number go up by 80% If you are using a 1/4-20 those numbers are 200 370 160 and again +80% for grade 8 If you'd like to learn more about fastners read this link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted April 8, 2012 Moderators Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Or to put it another way, we used to hang Arri BLs from one screw because that's all they took. Eric brings up a good point, get good screws. One reason to always buy them from a Camera place. Sure, they overcharge a little but you have a receipt which says they are meant to be used for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rob Vuona SOC Posted April 8, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Your concern shouldn't be with the screw breaking, it's with the camera pivoting because you only have one screw , tinsel strength as Erick pointed out is far above the need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ryan Brooks Posted April 8, 2012 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Thanks again for taking the time. I just bought a new Zephyr system and right now I am using the fasteners that came with that system. Eric, thanks for providing that link. I will definitely look that over and it should give me some more search terms that I can use to do further research. Again thanks. Brooksy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l_thomas Posted April 11, 2012 Report Share Posted April 11, 2012 As long as the screw is fastened correctly, the weight of the camera is taken by the tension applied on the screw when fastening. The screw thread will fail if you let it comes loosely. Usually I will tie the camera on the mount with a cable tie when use it on a jib for safety precaution, because it will fly over peoples. But I don't think you need to worry on a steadicam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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