Flyer LE Arm Spring Upgrade

[David M. Aronson]

Okay, so I have a Flyer LE as a back-up rig and I love it. The only issue is, The cameras I tend to Fly are usually over the weight limit of the arm and don't fly right. Is there any way to put new springs in or ad more springs to the arm to give it 3-4 extra pounds of lift? I've tried surgical tubing and I really don't like the way the arm behaves when I use it.

Thanks!

[Mark Schlicher]

The Zephyr arm appears to be the same bones as the Flyer arm, with heavier springs. So maybe Zephyr springs would fit.

 

Or just replace with a Zephyr arm.

 

Unknown whether Tiffen would sell you these components/upgrades. Doesn't seem to be their mode of operation.

 

The other issue is that they design components to tolerences that work together. You may be overtaxing your gimbal or top stage or vest. May be better to upgrade to a Zephyr if you're chronically working over the Flyer's limits.

[Brian Freesh]

Unfortunately I do not believe Tiffen will sell a Zephyr arm by itself. I doubt they would sell zephyr springs to a Flyer LE arm owner, and it's quite possible they wouldn't fit for some reason anyway.

 

If one of your springs broke, I believe they would sell you a replacement spring, so i don't see why they wouldn't sell a spring individually. However, it would be another Flyer spring. You might get lucky that it holds more weight, like the springs in my Flyer arm. :P

 

Bottom line, Tiffen will tell you not to put more weight on the sled than spec'd, regardless of the arm being used. So they won't support anything that would allow you to do that. (I get raised eyebrows and nervous smiles when I tell them what I have put on my rig)

[David M. Aronson]

Unfortunately I do not believe Tiffen will sell a Zephyr arm by itself. I doubt they would sell zephyr springs to a Flyer LE arm owner, and it's quite possible they wouldn't fit for some reason anyway.

 

If one of your springs broke, I believe they would sell you a replacement spring, so i don't see why they wouldn't sell a spring individually. However, it would be another Flyer spring. You might get lucky that it holds more weight, like the springs in my Flyer arm. :P

 

Bottom line, Tiffen will tell you not to put more weight on the sled than spec'd, regardless of the arm being used. So they won't support anything that would allow you to do that. (I get raised eyebrows and nervous smiles when I tell them what I have put on my rig)

The Steadicam Industry is built on people breaking the rules of engineering and building their own things.

[robert weldoff]

hi

 

@bryan

whats the heaviest camera package youve flown?

[Brian Freesh]

David,

 

I disagree with your last statement as written, though I do believe customization is quite prevalent and for good reason, and I'm a fan. And I'm all for what you are trying to do. I'm not sure if you were trying to disagree with my post you quoted, but I think my post and your statement are unrelated. I was describing what I believe Tiffen's policies and opinions on the matter might be, in an attempt to elaborate on Mark's post. Note, "believe" and "might". I do not presume to speak for Tiffen. As far as I'm concerned you can go buy a Luna (or other) arm and use that with your Flyer, you wouldn't be the first. Do what works, David, good luck!

 

Robert,

 

I flew a 23.5 lb Arricam LT set-up (camera, loaded steadimag, superspeed, LMB-5 w/filter, BFD/motor) on my 2nd gen Flyer (15lb weight limit, no extendable post). It balanced nicely as long as I put the BFD Rx on the bottom of the sled. A bit of a work-around to be sure, but it worked. The arm can take another .5-1 lb before sagging (Cinetape, heavier lens, etc...). There's a picture somewhere in the forum archives. That being said, that was just a test, and I try to never put more than 20lb on the top stage for fear of damaging the stage and/or the gimbal. In fact, I tell productions that is my limit (as a parts list, cause they don't know what the parts weigh) so that if I get screwed on the day with an extra pound or two I won't have any issues.

 

On my Ultra I've flown much heavier set-ups of course.