How to slide slider carriage smoothly?

Besides paying for a more expensive slider, does anyone have any tips on moving the carriage of a slider (specifically the basic glidetrack sd-100) in a smooth constant motion? I keep having small shakes stops or jerks as i do it.

try this, Attach a big rubberband to whatever you are pulling, That way it ads tension while taking out vibration. (pull the rubberband)

Always use a push/pull forward or back motion. Try and add as much weight as you can to the carriage. More weight will give you a more stable pull.

Adding weight to the base/carriage helps stability, and rubber band helps with creating steady pull .

Move the carriage itself (put your hand on it), not the camera or head thats mounted to it. Practice practice practice.

But yes, seriously this is one of the reasons we buy more expensive sliders (not saying yours isnt as I dont know what it is).

thedcmule2 wrote in post #14427472
Besides paying for a more expensive slider, does anyone have any tips on moving the carriage of a slider (specifically the basic glidetrack sd-100) in a smooth constant motion? I keep having small shakes stops or jerks as i do it.

Might I ask a question?

Unloaded does the carriage slide perfectly smooth?

If not double check for debris on the slider bars and if needed give them a good wipe with an alcohol pad or two.

If it does slide smoothly, then the next step is to assure your camera is balanced upon the carriage, that slider (SD) only has the capability of supporting a downward load, as such for the best performance you must have your camera’s center of gravity balanced upon the carriages mount, if you fail to do this, you will be placing a lateral load on the side wheels of the carriage, twisting them against their axles, which will affect your drag and therefore the smoothness of your pan.

Wayne

ben_r_ wrote in post #14431129
But yes, seriously this is one of the reasons we buy more expensive sliders (not saying yours isnt as I dont know what it is).

Probably this.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …D_100_SD_Slider​_39_4.html

Wayne

Thanks for the good advice everyone, feel free to chime in if you have more. The rubberband one im having trouble with, it takes a lot of pull to get the carriage to start moving which jerks into motion to start even with a big rubberband- not good for constant motion. Where do I hook it to? How big? Etc

Channel One wrote in post #14431585
Might I ask a question?

Unloaded does the carriage slide perfectly smooth?

If not double check for debris on the slider bars and if needed give them a good wipe with an alcohol pad or two.

If it does slide smoothly, then the next step is to assure your camera is balanced upon the carriage, that slider (SD) only has the capability of supporting a downward load, as such for the best performance you must have your camera’s center of gravity balanced upon the carriages mount, if you fail to do this, you will be placing a lateral load on the side wheels of the carriage, twisting them against their axles, which will affect your drag and therefore the smoothness of your pan.

Wayne

This is a good tip, now to figure out how to balance its center of gravity. I need one of those sliding plates is that what you are implying?

I have found that attaching the carriage to either end of the slider with big rubber bands help as it gives you a force to work with.

Initially the pull on the band means you are holding the slider back and the then you go through a point of inertia at the middle of the rail when both bands are pulling equally and then have to push against the force of the band.

Because the amount of change from push to pull is completely linear it seems easy to maintain an even speed.

I know its sounds strange but it seems human power doesn't work well against an even load. You'll not believe me until you try it.

Can someone demonstrate it on a video?

I use a rubber band and a quick wipe of wd-40 on the rails every hour or so. butter smooth.

like other said, rubberband is your friend