Premium Members Kelsey W. Smith Posted July 14, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 I wanted to share my story about docking stands. I've been using a 750 Avenger stand for about 10 years now and it finally happened, the top pin broke! I have to be one of the luckiest guy in the world, the pin broke while I was just going to take it off the docking stand. The rig started to fall and my hands were right there to catch it before it hit the ground. Damn, how's that for luck! I just can't imagine if I was doing a drop time test or dynamic balance what the results would have been! Too scary to think about. The pin broke off about 2" from the top. Has anyone else ever run into this? Cheers, Kelsey "living life large" W. Smith P.S. Lesson learned.......use a heavier stand!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted July 14, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 what docking bracket do you use? I've always been afraid of that with the Hill bracket because it doesn't sit all the way down on the pin. Glad no one got hurt (including your sled). Ron B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Kelsey W. Smith Posted July 14, 2006 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Hey Ron. It was Hill's docking bracket. I love this docking bracket, it's a pretty slick design. When you think about how much weight we put on that small 1/2 pin, it's kinda scary. What's even more scarier is when we do spin balance and the post is extended out about 12" from the stand! :o I think we all put waaaaaay to much faith in that little pin! Any who, you right, I'm glad I wasn't hurt or my rig. Kelsey W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted July 14, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Isn't the avenger an aluminum stand? A friend of mine used to own an avenger stand a couple of years back. Every time he docked his rig the pin would bend his way, to that point that the pin finally gave way. Modern Studio Equipment replaced the inner sleeve with a steel sleeve and welded the hell out of the pin... I use the steel single riser Steadicam Stand from American Stand. I shorten the pin by about an inch and a half, just at the lower lip of the groove, so that the dock (Hill dock) sits firmly on the rubber O-ring. The latest addition is a plate with a second pin (made by Tom Gleason) that prevents the dock from spinning (less damage to the pin) and makes for a way more robust connection. I'll post pictures later... Erwin "I'm all broken up" Landau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted July 14, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Here Tom's mods to my Docking Stand for the GoreLock: one more: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted July 15, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 Thats what i am looking for all my live :) Any change Tom wants to make some more of those? I would love to have one. I am always scared of that one pin design Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted July 15, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 Anything that he makes for an individual will be available for anybody else... That's how people like him stay in business. Listen to the costumer and meet the need. That's his info: http://www.cinewidgets.com/ Give him a call. Erwin"just having ideas and Tom making them real" Landau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted July 15, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 I just did, Thanks Erwin, and keep those ideas coming :P Job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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