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New Smaller
Chinhda Cart
November 2011
Chinhda has been eager to make a smaller version of his sound cart almost from the very beginning. Regular demand for the bigger carts and the many accessories he makes have kept him from the task but he's been actively considering the best combination of features and design for about five years. He took some time from regular fabrication chores and spent the last six months experimenting with prototypes. The result is deceptively simple but packed with ingenious soluctions to production challenges.
The design objectives are:
- Smaller (than the full-size production cart)
- Lighter
- Fits in the trunk of an ordinary car
- Flexible (configures as a documentary cart, follow cart, commercial cart, etc.)
- Cheaper
The availability of T-Slot framing material is key to Chinhda's success in designing a cart that is elegant, functional and also affordable.
Made by 80/20 Inc., T-Slot framing components are essentially an erector set for grown-ups and there are many ways that pieces can be fastened together. The 80/20 system offers some distinct advantages:
- Existing hardware permits assembly without welding
- Components can be mounted anywhere along an existing slot
- Parts are already anodized
There are also some disadvantages. Chief among them is that the 80/20 material is heavier than a custom welded frame. (And that's why the full-size Chinhda cart will continue to use a welded frame.) But this is a reasonable trade off in the smaller cart. Because the joints are not permanently welded, the cart frame and sub-frames can be reconfigured as the need arises.
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At left is a prototype sub-frame fitted with Deva recoder and Mix-8 mixing console on a pull-out drawer. |
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The sub-frame is easily removed and reattached without tools. When attached, it becomes one with the frame.
It's possible to have several sub-frames, each configured to a different purpose.
Skate wheels in the handle simplifyloading into the bed of a station wagon or pick-up truck. Gear is securely fastened into the cart so it can safely be transported lying down. For transport in an ordinary sedan, one would remove the sub-frame and load that separately. That keeps each component a manageable weight for lifting into the trunk.
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The sub-frame hangs on the upper hooks as seen in the photo at left. Then it is clamped securely in place by slding the lower piece down and tightening the ratchet lever. |
Each sub-frame has a handle to facilitate removal and use separate from the cart.
Cable/headset hooks are included as are tiltable dovetail mounts for monitors.
Components are protected from rain, etc. by scratch resistant Lexan.
A pull-out tray for the mixer is a standard feature of the cart.
It will fit most of the smaller mixers in common use including:
- Mix-8 for the Deva
- Cantarem for the Cantar
- CL-9 for the Sound Devices
- Cooper 306
A wider sub-frame will be available to fit the larger Cooper mixers, the Mix-12 and other portable mixing consoles. There are no plans at present to fit the really large consoles like the Yamaha O1V but we have a full-size cart that accommodates the O1V nicely.
The built-in power distribution system is a key reason for the versatility of the system. The system shown here directs power from one input to four outputs but production examples will have at least five outputs and Chinhda will provide six if he can fit the connectors into the space available. Since both power and audio cables can be routed within the sub-frame, one only needs to disconnect a single power lead to be able to remove a completely self-contained unit with mixer, recorder, wireless, etc.
The wire lead and rheostat on the right of the power distribution bar are for the built-in lighting.
Immediately below the power distribution bar are the clamp pieces that slide down to engage the sub-frame and secure it. (shown here in unsecured position)
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The battery is securely heldby sliding bars from the top and front. A wide range of adjustment ensures that many different battery sizes and configurations can be fit. |
Chinhda wired LED lights into the frame so that illumination would always be available while working. Since the power distribution, lights and light control are all integrated into the sub-frame, they are all available whether the sub-frame is mounted in the cart or used separately.
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The rheostat to control the brightness of the light is on the power distribution bar in the photo on the left. |
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There are enought LED elements to light the set. Or, they can be dimmed to be inconspicuous, |
The cart is also equipped with two extendable antenna masts (although the folding boom arms pictured here are extra).
The masts give sufficient height to get the antennas well above intervening crew members or other signal blockers. In addition to telescoping, they can be positioned in the frame to yield either maximum height or compactness. They may also be removed for travel.
The masts are 5/8-inches in diameter so they can directly accept a gobo head. Used with a "boom buddy," a mast could easily support a boom and microphone for interview situations. Since the battery is mounted low in the cart, there is a secure base for that sort of application although we wouldn't want to promise stable performance with a shotgun and zeppelin at full extension. But for any reasonable use, the mast could support an interview mike and pole.
A word about fabrication...
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The specially machined right-angle framing bracket |
The 80/20 company offers a many different bits of hardware to assemble the T-slot framing bars but, even so, they are often not ideally suited to the particular application of making a sound cart. They may not provide a sufficiently rigid joint or, perhaps the joint is tight but changing out components could be cumbersome.
Chinhda wanted a cart that would be "all of a piece" solid and also permit reconfiguration in the field. To accomplish this, he machined his own joints and other parts. Wherever you see blue anodized metal, you are looking at parts specially made by Chinhda.
What's included:
- Cart with 12-inch wheels and 6-inch small wheels with brakes
2 Telescoping Masts, 5/8-inch diameter
2 Boom pole holders
Battery tie-down clamps
Cable hooks (4)
Headset hooks (2) - Sub-frame with:
Carry handlle
Mixer drawer
Universal recorder mount (fits Sound Devices, Deva IV, V, Fusion)
Power distribution system with dimmer for light
LED illumination built into frame
Tilting monitor mounts with dovetail quick release (2)
Clip "strip" for sides
Specifications:
- Frame height: 40 inches (rails are 32-inches long)
Frame width: 15 inches
Width wheel-hub-to-wheel-hub (widest point): 22.25 inches
Depth: 22 inches from front of battery tray to back tire
Sub-frame height: 14 inches (can be configured to order)
Approximate weight: 52 - 55 pounds
Price: $4000
That includes all of the features listed at left.
What's in the works?
Chinhda is developing folding side trays and a fold down front tray. When folded up, these would help protect the sub-frame in transit. When folded down, they would provide extra work space. These would be an extra cost option.
There will also be variations on the basic sub-frame. A wider version able to mount rack gear is already in the prototype stage. There will also be a taller sub-frame to fit rack drawers to make the cart suitable as a follow-cart or set-cart.
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Availability:
Chinhda has several carts built and available for immediate delivery (November 7, 2011)
As with any handmade product, demand may from time to time run ahead of his ability to make product. But for right now, we have carts on hand and ready.
Send an e-mail if you'd like to purchase one or are seriously interested and want to look it over:
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for your information: a collection of stuff we find interesting, useful or amusing
view photos, resumes, download PDF files, link to our other sites
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