Ferdinand Almalvez Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 Trew audio makes a boom caddy to hold boompoles and occasionally sit on for a hefty price Wanted to see if anyone else has done a DIY boom caddy similar to this and would like to share some pictures perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 I think most of us have built several boom caddies over the years since there have been very few produced for sale. Randy Johnson was one of the first to market a boom stand based on the ones he had built for himself. Trew Audio has done 2 versions of their boom stand and the current one is as really nice piece of work. In my experience, even if you do build it yourself, to get something of the quality of the Trew Audio product you're not really going to save a lot of money. You can certainly build something similar using ABS plastic pipe, wooden base, add a hook or two for cable and it will work. Don Coufal and I have been designing a boom caddy that will be a little different than the basic boom stand. The idea is to make something that is more of a boom assistant: supports the fishpole while still providing a place to sit, some storage for the times that an actor comes off the set and hands you their wireless, stuff like that. It should have the same footprint as your basic boom stand but just do a little bit more. I built one, a prototype, but not too happy with the end result. I will put up some pictures so you might get some ideas. A little bit of history: the first ever boom stand, to my knowledge, was "made" (found) by Chris McLaughlin (legendary boom operator who worked with Jim Webb for years and years) --- it was actually one of the orange and yellow tubes with a base that street workers put out to cordon off an area where they are working. Chris puts some weights on the base to keep it upright when the fishpole was in it since on igts own it tended to be a little tippy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Almalvez Posted July 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 A little bit of history: the first ever boom stand, to my knowledge, was "made" (found) by Chris McLaughlin (legendary boom operator who worked with Jim Webb for years and years) --- it was actually one of the orange and yellow tubes with a base that street workers put out to cordon off an area where they are working. Chris puts some weights on the base to keep it upright when the fishpole was in it since on igts own it tended to be a little tippy. I agree, the materials used on the trew audio boom caddy would be worth the money but its a nice feeling when you have something youve made yourself. Although Ive never though about using those cylindrical cones which is actually a great idea haha altho i dont think you are able to sit on it. I did see a different form of a boom caddy, ive seen c stand attachments which hold a boom like hanging a coat, which is pretty neat as well. Anyway I cant wait to see the pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 My Randy Johnson stand is from the 1st batch. A million pounds of ass have set on it. Still works every day that I do. I feel it will out last me. I can envision a better Boom Caddy design. Can't wait to see some pix. The biggest problem w a Boom Caddy is the Gaffer is always sitting on it. BTW, I like the Trew design. It needs 2 hooks on it IMO. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McL Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 My friend / colleague boom op Julie Wilde uses the modified apple box pictured. It's heavier duty ply than what typical apple boxes use. I have one now too, thanks to a generous wrap gift thing Veteran venerable NY boom operator John Bowles has a similar device that sports an internal "floor" with hole for the pole bottom (and added low center of gravity weight), and a hinged door on the side, wherein he stashes his belt, etc.. I envision that along with a retractable handle and wheels (a la rolling carry-on luggage) being a perfect boom stand. -- Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Thomson Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 DIY boom stand = my first piece of equipment - before my first boom pole... Heavy Umbrella stand+L-brackets+2"plastic-piping, about $40 in parts. not great for unstable surfaces, but works well in a studio. sure - it's not a seat, and there's no storage for radio-mics, etc; but it's very low-profile, can be hidden on-set quite easily Cheers, Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seba Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 DIY boom stand = my first piece of equipment - before my first boom pole... Heavy Umbrella stand+L-brackets+2"plastic-piping, about $40 in parts. not great for unstable surfaces, but works well in a studio. sure - it's not a seat, and there's no storage for radio-mics, etc; but it's very low-profile, can be hidden on-set quite easily Cheers, Ian Hi Ian, As a boom op myself, I have to say: great idea! Also, shiny shirt you've got there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 Here is the boom stand/caddy that I made from an aluminum folding step stool/ladder. I put wheels on it, a holder for the fishpole, a cable hook for cable and headphones and a seat pad (removable, not shown). You can see that one of the advantages of this that you can sit on the step-seat while the fishpole is resting in its carrier. The footprint is really not much larger than your typical boom caddy and it has wheels to easily pull it around even over rough terrain. Of course it also has the advantage of folding completely flat and taking up very little room in the trunk of a car or other small vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted July 25, 2011 Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 Nice design RVD. That would keep the Gaffer from sitting on it. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Almalvez Posted July 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 these are awesome, keep em comin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirror Posted July 25, 2011 Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 Nice design RVD. That would keep the Gaffer from sitting on it. CrewC I wouldn't be too sure about that - the gaffer part that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kksaudio Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 I made mine with folding legs, automotive seat foam and noughahide cover. Kevin Sorensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Heath Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Coffey sells a modified apple box, Called the BoomBox. It sells for 175 but with some wood skills you could make your own on the cheap. http://www.coffeysound.com/Boom-Box.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonG Posted August 6, 2011 Report Share Posted August 6, 2011 Coffey sells a modified apple box, Called the BoomBox. It sells for 175 but with some wood skills you could make your own on the cheap. http://www.coffeysound.com/Boom-Box.html I have the Boom Box and am quite pleased with it, and my boom ops appreciate it as well. When not in use holding the boom it also works as an apple box, which we all know we have needed here and there on set, and not all productions have enough to provide one for the sound dept. The downfall is that I get people (non sound dept) leaving personal items and even drinks on it! And on more than one occasion the camera dept. has annexed it for their own use. So I guess I also need to have a sign made that explains that the unusually large apple box with a hole in it and a picture of a boom operator on it belongs to the sound department and shouldnt be touched or taken! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormadeaudio Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 you mean you guys actually set the pole down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 I made mine with folding legs, automotive seat foam and noughahide cover. Kevin Sorensen I like the fact you can collapse it! Nice job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harris K Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 I have, ahem, replicated Robert Sharman's two-step ladder design. Personalally nixed the lower cup as my main boom preferred to pin the boom under the lowest cross-support (I'll post a picture later). I love this design as its a caddy, seat and a height-increaser. I carpeted the steps on mine so it could be stepped on mid take if need be. When folded it hhangs off the edge of the follow cart pretty nicely as well. Er, belated props to Robert for the clever idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Tuzo Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 Jeff, Can I ask where you got the racheting holder on your two-step boom caddy? I have been searching high and low for these for my main cart. Thanks! best, Wyatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael P Clark Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 I have also "stolen" Roberts ladder design. And it is very well liked by my Boom Ops. In fact, I believe there are 5 of these now living in Atlanta. Every Boom Op I have worked with, has built their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 Jeff, Can I ask where you got the racheting holder on your two-step boom caddy? I have been searching high and low for these for my main cart. Thanks! best, Wyatt It's actually not ratcheting but a single clip-type closure. They are rod holders of some sort that I always seem to be able to find in marine/boating supply stores. West Marine has them but often they run out of the proper sized ones (which are a light gray color) and only have the smaller black ones. You could look at West Marine website, I think they are available in the catalog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Tuzo Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Thanks so much, Jeff I got some handles for my cart from west marine and should have thought to check there. Now that you remind me, the single clip is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again for the lead. Best, Wyatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Coffey sells a modified apple box, Called the BoomBox. It sells for 175 but with some wood skills you could make your own on the cheap. http://www.coffeysou...m/Boom-Box.html Wow...$175. I can build 10 of those for that price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Strangest thing happened to me yesterday. I was getting on to the 10 fwy to head home when I had seen an apple box laying in the middle of the onramp. Soon after I dodged out its way I pulled over and threw it in my car. So, looks like I can make a BoomBox for free now. I love it when stuff like that happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 Hey! You've got my missing Apple Box! --Marc W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 My Randy Johnson stand is from the 1st batch. A million pounds of ass have set on it. Still works every day that I do. I feel it will out last me. I can envision a better Boom Caddy design. Can't wait to see some pix. The biggest problem w a Boom Caddy is the Gaffer is always sitting on it. BTW, I like the Trew design. It needs 2 hooks on it IMO. CrewC New spec: 1 million pounds, maximum, over a 20 year period, minimum. BTW, the Boom Caddy comes with one hook, but you can add another. Also, maybe a small point, but it is actually a Remote Audio product, available from a number of dealers. GT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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