DIY TriPod Dolly - $25

I have been researching dolly's or wheel devices to add onto my tripod so that I can film with my Nikon D5000 without so much shakiness. What I found online ranged from $40-$300. After going through many different DIY tutorials, I combined some of the best ones and came up with this. It is really easy and if you aren't so attached to the rubber feet of your tripod, this is probably the easiest remedy.

Supplies:

3 Triple Wheel Dollies- 6" (I found mine at Lowes)

3 Hex Lag Screws- 1/4"

3 Galv 1/4 Hex Nut

3 Flat Washers

Process:

Remove the feet off your tripod. If they are standard round feet, they can be removed rather easily by twisting and pulling. Some tutorials recommend buying 7/8" Rubber Furniture Legs so as to make the feet larger. I do not have a standard round legged tripod so I simply used the feet on my tripod.

Using a drill or screw driver the closest size possible as the Hex Lag Screw, puncture a hole into the middle of the foot, straight through. This may require some finesse, but be sure not to wiggle the puncture device excessively so as to not make the hole too large.

Insert the Hex Lag Screw (you can use a separate washer at this point if you need to for security). Make sure it goes as far as possible and is flush inside the foot.

The Dolly will have a hole in the middle along with an indented "valley" in which the foot will sit. Making sure the foot sits comfortably, fasten a washer and the Hex Nut on the bottom side of the dolly, securing the foot into the dolly.

Do this three times, one for each leg of your tripod. Once the dolly's are fastened to the feet, reattach to your tripod. Mine does not fit as snugly as it originally did due to the screw head on the inside, but it is still relatively secure.

That's it!! Use caution when lifting the tripod off the floor, but as long as you are on a smooth surface, shakiness and vibration will not be a problem!!!