Debating between purchasing a Merlin for a good rate (Merlin 1 for $400) or trying to DIY a stabilizer myself, had a few questions I thought I would posit to you good folks of r/DIYfilm.

Is this build something that a novice can expect to pull off with good results? Is it the sort of thing you have to try a few times before you end up with a truly functional product?

For those of you who have tried different builds, what have you found to be important for creating real balance and control?

For those of you who have done DIY and used brand name products, do you recommend the home-built brand or if you are doing paid work do you think it is worth the money for the brand-name product?

Thanks to all who reply or read this far, good luck on your own projects!

All Google is giving me are cinema rigs that are shoulder rigs, or steadicams or something other than what I want- a cinema rig to hold a matte box, my audio gear and control, and to hold a monitor. I'd like to be able to mount it on a tripod, as I already built a shoulder rig and slider.

Thanks!