Small Camera Stabilzer

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This is a compact camera stabilizer inspired by the Tiffen Merlin design. The body consists of hollow, 8mm (0.317") fiberglass epoxy tubing sections. A universal joint from an RC car and two flanged F605ZZ bearings form the "gimbal". Counterweights are simply 1/4 bolts holding steel washers in place. I printed the parts using natural ABS at a layer height of .2mm and 20% infill. You may need to adjust the openSCAD files to match your printer's specifications and rod sizes. The baseplate is sandwiched by two flanged F605ZZ bearings, with the universal joint sliding into them and secured with an M4 nut. The universal joint I used is from HSP (part number 106015) and can be found on eBay for about $6 per pair (you'll only need one). I trimmed the tip of the "dog bone" with a hacksaw to fit it into the handle. The upper fiberglass rod measures approximately 125mm, while the lower rod is around 160mm in length. These lengths can be customized according to your needs and camera size. I sourced my rods from Tap Plastics (0.317"OD x 0.266"ID) for about $4 per 32-inch length. You'll need to attach a nut to the bottom counterweight mount, which I secured with Gorilla brand super glue after scuffing it with sandpaper. Additionally, you'll require three 1/4-20 bolts (approximately 1/2" to 3/4" long) and some common steel washers. Research on Merlin-style stabilizers will provide valuable information, including wsclater's comprehensive collection of works on DIY Camera Stabilizer. Keep in mind that balancing this setup can be challenging; it took me around two hours to achieve a balance using various washer combinations and camera positioning. This design is intended for small cameras only – avoid attempting to balance an expensive DSLR on this stabilizer.