Groundpod

When I searched for groundpod I only got the Skimmer available on the market, and it looked not stable enough for my use. (I have never tried it, so I assumed...!) Some other danish photographers had made their own design and here is my homemade copy of that design. It is made by stainless steel and easy to push through sand, seaweed and small stones, when I crawl on the beach, trying to get closer to waders...!

Some friends have mounted a camou-shelter to hide behind when crawling.

For your inspirations...!

As a Welder, I am LOVING this! Especially being made of Stainless Steel. We actually have many similar looking items at work for mounting Video Cameras and High Pressure Cleaning Tools for Sewer Rehabilitation work.

Do you have to pull it backwards ever? Looks great for moving forward, but I'd be tempted to bend the rear up a little just in case. I really like the looks of it though.

Nice, thanks for the photo, now I have another project to add to my list. Doubt I will use stainless, not in my skill level but a milder steel that I can paint.

RMyers wrote in post #18543204
Do you have to pull it backwards ever? Looks great for moving forward, but I'd be tempted to bend the rear up a little just in case. I really like the looks of it though.

Grizz1 wrote in post #18543463
Nice, thanks for the photo, now I have another project to add to my list. Doubt I will use stainless, not in my skill level but a milder steel that I can paint.

1. Not very often I have to pull Backwards, but it would be an improvement with the rear ends bended as well and then I would made it 10-15cm longer to secure the stability/make sure it not turns into a "rocking horse"

2. I had the same considerations. I can weld, but not in Stainless steel, so I had to pay a "six-pack" "under table" after closing time to a former colleague...;o)) No matter what kind of paint you use i think it will be wiped off, when you drag the pod trough sand and stones near salty water and corrosion will appear. (But it can be used - Consider copper and soldering)

Welding something like that with Stainless Rod by Stick welding is very easy. If you can weld with E-6013 or E7018, then Stainless Rod is nothing to fear. Comes out pretty! Most unusual post on POTN!

CanonCameraFan wrote in post #18544771
Welding something like that with Stainless Rod by Stick welding is very easy. If you can weld with E-6013 or E7018, then Stainless Rod is nothing to fear. Comes out pretty! Most unusual post on POTN!

That's encouraging, I've used a stick welder most of the time and E-6011 and 6013's are my favorite. My best bet would be to do the same as Bjarne and consider a deal/trade. I have a neighbor that works at a machine shop and is their welder, this would be an easy project for him.
Bjarne, you're right, the stainless would be best, esp. the conditions you may be shooting in. I can get mild steel easily, bend and weld myself and since I'm a painter I would use something like Kel-Bond Primer and an Alkyd enamel paint. It is tough and I normally have 5 - 10 gallons of it on hand. If I were to make this it would first be used in my yard and then spring food plots to photograph Wild Turkeys.

I buy my industrial supplies at work (including small pieces of stainless steel) from mcmaster.com. Great source for what you need.

Bjarne Hemmingsen wrote in post #18541688
When I searched for groundpod I only got the Skimmer available on the market, and it looked not stable enough for my use. (I have never tried it, so I assumed...!) Some other danish photographers had made their own design and here is my homemade copy of that design. It is made by stainless steel and easy to push through sand, seaweed and small stones, when I crawl on the beach, trying to get closer to waders...!

Some friends have mounted a camou-shelter to hide behind when crawling.

For your inspirations...!

Hosted photo: posted by Bjarne Hemmingsen in
./showthread.php?p=185​41688&i=i65435077
forum: Tripods, Monopods & Other Camera Support

Hosted photo: posted by Bjarne Hemmingsen in
./showthread.php?p=185​41688&i=i216183722
forum: Tripods, Monopods & Other Camera Support

Hi Bjarne

I saw this design when I was at a workshop with Morten Hilmer in Denmark. I went for the Skimmer myself last summer.

Thanks for sharing the design.

That's pretty cool - as a tool designer I would have kicked up the back as well and added a crossbar with some foam padding to use as a handle to skid the whole thing along and steer it with one hand.

A single shot taken from this groundpod..., just to show the low angle.

For me photographing mainly on sands and mucks the angle looks quite high, but be easily reduced by mounting the lens foot upside down on the gimbal
9:00 minute of my movie
https://youtu.be/0YSMp​w4bJTE?t=534