Method
The most reliable form of camera dolly is a track dolly. Track dollies are used in circular configurations to get 360-degree footage of a subject for movies, television or music videos. Tracking dollies are also used in straight lines to get the feeling of motion from a subject̵7;s viewpoint. Unlike free-wheeling dollies, which consist of a platform set on casters, a tracking dolly is made of two components: the platform and the rails.
Materials
A homemade tracking dolly can be created for very little money, using parts found in any hardware store. These parts include PVC pipe, casters, angle iron and scrap plywood. Good examples of casters include roller or inline skate wheels and machine casters. An electric screw driver or a drill with a Phillips head bit, wood screws, Carriage bolts and small wrenches are essential for attaching the casters to the angle iron and plywood.
Process
To create the platform for your dolly, attach angle iron to form two tracks down the sides of your plywood platform with wood screws. Bolt casters to all of the exterior angles of the angle iron to create wheels that roll along a track, rather than a flat surface. Machine grade casters are more desirable than gardening casters because the high quality bearings will give you more fluid movement for less jerky tracking shots. Assemble heavy-duty PVC pipe into tracks so that it will fit inside and is larger than the groove formed by the casters. For circular tracking shots, assemble your PVC tracks so that the inside track is shorter than the exterior track. For long straight tracks, assemble the PVC in parallel lines.