Well Happy Birthday! :) I purchased the slider from Amazon:
Neewer 4-Way Macro Focusing Focus Rail Slider/Close-Up Shooting for Canon Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony, Samsung and Other Digital SLR Camera and DC with Standard 1/4-Inch Screw
It's not an expensive one at all and they are super easy to use! The key is to make small adjustments between each picture. The pics I posted is the 1st time i used the slider .. if I can do it anyone can LOL
The tripod I have is not a heavy duty one but I do notice there is a bit of play. I can get away with it. BUT if you are are going to do a lot of work with it I would invest in a sturdy one.