# Dolly track width? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-track-width/223876 "2004-01-10T22:14:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-track-width/223876/1 "2004-01-10T22:14:59Z")
What is the width of standard (camera) dolly tracks? (e.g., Matthews) I’m going to build a skateboard dolly, and need to know how far apart to set the wheels in case I ever use “real” track. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-track-width/223876/2 "2004-01-10T23:53:36Z")
There are some specs (sorta) for a skateboard dolly [here](http://www.abc-products.de/english/wigo_e.htm). I asked Sniffs\_Markers if she knew off the top of her head, but to no avail (it’s not like she’s the one who puts the tracks down.) 62 cm (about two feet) sounds about right, but she’s not working on a show right now and can’t ask anyone to get a more accurate answer. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-track-width/223876/3 "2004-01-11T00:16:46Z")
Thanks, **Eats\_Crayons**. Someone told me (after I’d posted) 24.5" was standard. I looked in my ACM, and it doesn’t say what the track width is, but the FGV Panther dolly has a maximum tracking width of 24.4? – 62cm. I suppose I could drop 400 simoleons for an 8-foot track; but I want to wait until after I’m employed to do that. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-track-width/223876/4 "2004-01-11T00:28:23Z")
In school we used steel piping or pvc pipe (squeaks, but veggie oil fixes it right up) with our skateboard dolly. As for standard track, I can’t help you there. Call a rental house… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-track-width/223876/5 "2004-01-11T00:34:22Z")
**FilmGeek** : I plan to use ABS or PVC, but there’s a possibility I’ll use pro track at some point. I may as well build the dolly to fit it. A question about PVC or ABS though: I know that it’s “self-straightening” (it spaces itself after you run the dolly down it), but how do you find levelling? I must admit that I’ve only used Matthews track. It was easy to level, since it had the “ties” holding it together. Any problems/techniques to levelling PVC/ABS pipe on uneven ground? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-track-width/223876/6 "2004-01-11T17:42:52Z")
I checked out [Long Valley Equipment](http://www.longvalleyequip.com/dolly.php), and it was quite helpful! > [@](#): > > wheels set on 24.5" centers so that dolly also works on Matthews steel curved and straight track They even give the platform dimensions (30"x40") and the material (birch plywood – I wonder if I can get that here in **Birch** Bay?). And they give the plastic trac specifications (1.5" schedule 40 PVC or ABS pipe). BTW: I have the book they sell there, and it’s a nice one. Any San Diego Dopers want to swing by my sister’s place and bring my drill press and radial-arm saw up to me? 😃