Ultralight Crane V1 - STL Files

*These are the STL Files to 3D print your own crane base, rope holder and water bottle/ballast mount. DIY pre printed kits will be available late March, sign up to the waitlist here.*   

This crane system was engineered specifically to unlock the full potential of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. It allows for sweeping reveals, high-angle tracking, and floor-to-ceiling jib shots that were previously impossible with such a compact setup.

Whether you are capturing beautiful GVs in the wild, real estate walkthroughs, or creative b-roll, this ultralight build ensures you never have to choose between production value and pack weight.

• Optimized for Pocket 3: Customised geometry for a balanced rig.

• Ultralight Build: Total kit weighs under 1kg (excluding camera/ballast).

• True Portability: Designed to be broken down in seconds and stowed in a standard camera pack.

3D Print Settings & Tips

For a professional finish and field-ready durability a strong filament such as PETG, ABS or ASA is recommended. 

• Use 5 walls with 30% Gyroid infill for strength.  
• 0.2mm layer height gives a good balance of speed and strength. 
• Files are sized to fit M6 Bolts and 15mm rods snugly. Remember to account for any shrinkage of a particular filament by scaling the models up by that percentage. 

What You’ll Need to Finish the Build

You are purchasing the digital blueprints for the camera crane. To complete the crane, you will need:

Hardware

• 6x M6x60 hex head bolts
• 6x M6 washers
• 6x M6 wingnuts
• 1x 1/4-20 bolt
• 1/4-20 heat-set inserts (and soldering iron to set them)
• ~4m 550 Paracord or 3mm dyneema rope
• Cable ties or straps for the water bottle/ballast 

Accessories

• The Pole - 3m carbon fibre selfie stick - I used this one
• Camera Mount - Osmo Pocket adjustable tripod mount 
• 15mm rods - I use 2x 30cm SmallRig bars screwed together
• The Ballast - A 1.5L Nalgene or similar (the mount will fit most bottles, but needs 1.5kg for the counterbalance)

• The Camera: Works perfectly with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, but also compatible with GoPro and other action cameras.

Tips 

• For the smoothest moves make sure the crane is perfectly balanced, and the camera stops where you leave it. 

• The beauty of this design is that you don't carry heavy steel weights. Simply fill a bottle with water or sand at your filming location to act as your counterweight.

• Don't overtighten the pole clamp on the selfie stick. It could crack the carbon fibre if it's tightened too much. Finger tight is fine.