Tripod & Head are stuck together at DVinfo.net

Vince Pachiano · August 15th, 2014, 08:37 PM

My video head has been attached to my tripod for over 2 years.
I'm trying to remove the head, but it appears to be stuck.
I have completely removed the 3 set-screws that go through the tripod base into the head base.
It would appear the two machined aluminum surfaces are simply stuck either by friction or some oxidation(?).
I've clamped-down the panning thumb screw, but there is only so much friction this screw can provide.
When I rotate the head, the panning portion just rotates.
I've even tried lightly (and then a little more forcefully) rapping on the unit with a mallet.

Any suggestion? Penetrating oil? Putty Knife & Hammer?

Chris Soucy · August 16th, 2014, 04:10 PM

Hi Vince......................

(Pardon me whilst I brush off the cob webs and blow away the accumulated dust of centuries of redundancy, hack, hack).

It might facilitate a cogent response if the peeps had the make and model number of the said recalcitrant inanimate object(s).

In the event these have been sourced from planet Zog in a parallel universe, photos work real good too.

CS

Bob Hart · August 17th, 2014, 11:34 AM

If it is a frozen joint, the only other thing I can think of is to use thermal shock. Put it in a freezer overnight then pour a kettleful of boiling water slowly over one of the pieces, on one side of the joint not both pieces.

Are you sure you got all the screws? Does the tripod ball stud go right through into the upper head. If both upper and lower pieces are threaded, then with the screws out, it may not come apart until the stud is also taken out. I am wildly guessing here so don't take much notice of my comment.

Seth Bloombaum · August 18th, 2014, 12:05 AM

I had very good luck with putting the column & head in the freezer a few months ago.

Many people use loc-tite, I was able to disassemble one where the previous owner had used red loc-tite on the grub screws, and some had leaked onto the column screw.

A couple hours in the freezer and I was able to unscrew it, which was outstanding, since the red is for semi-permanent installation. Blue loc-tite is better ;-)

Vince Pachiano · August 19th, 2014, 11:06 AM

It is a Monfrotto 128RC head and Monfrotto 055XB tripod.
The tripod has a simple machined aluminum disc with three threaded holes,
and a stud that presumably goes into the head.

In looking at my original order, I bought these together as a set.
I cannot recall if that was just the way B&H packaged it (buy both, save $10), or now I am wondering
if they came physically joined from the factory

Tried the freezer trick, and the boiling water trick, no-joy
Manfrotto 055XB Tripod w/128RC Fluid Head

Alan Craven · August 19th, 2014, 12:34 PM

Some Manfrotto Tripod/head combinations have three small screws around the circumference of the interface which are tightened to lock the head to the tripod. Check whether these are present in your combination, and loosen them if they are.

August 15th, 2014, 08:37 PM	#1
Vince Pachiano Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 307	Tripod & Head are stuck together My video head has been attached to my tripod for over 2 years. I'm trying to remove the head, but it appears to be stuck. I have completely removed the 3 set-screws that go through the tripod base into the head base. It would appear the two machined aluminum surfaces are simply stuck either by friction or some oxidation(?). I've clamped-down the panning thumb screw, but there is only so much friction this screw can provide. When I rotate the head, the panning portion just rotates. I've even tried lightly (and then a little more forcefully) rapping on the unit with a mallet. Any suggestion? Penetrating oil? Putty Knife & Hammer?

August 16th, 2014, 04:10 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Re: Tripod & Head are stuck together Hi Vince...................... (Pardon me whilst I brush off the cob webs and blow away the accumulated dust of centuries of redundancy, hack, hack). It might facilitate a cogent response if the peeps had the make and model number of the said recalcitrant inanimate object(s). In the event these have been sourced from planet Zog in a parallel universe, photos work real good too. CS

August 17th, 2014, 11:34 AM	#3
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	Re: Tripod & Head are stuck together If it is a frozen joint, the only other thing I can think of is to use thermal shock. Put it in a freezer overnight then pour a kettleful of boiling water slowly over one of the pieces, on one side of the joint not both pieces. Are you sure you got all the screws? Does the tripod ball stud go right through into the upper head. If both upper and lower pieces are threaded, then with the screws out, it may not come apart until the stud is also taken out. I am wildly guessing here so don't take much notice of my comment.

August 18th, 2014, 12:05 AM	#4
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Re: Tripod & Head are stuck together I had very good luck with putting the column & head in the freezer a few months ago. Many people use loc-tite, I was able to disassemble one where the previous owner had used red loc-tite on the grub screws, and some had leaked onto the column screw. A couple hours in the freezer and I was able to unscrew it, which was outstanding, since the red is for semi-permanent installation. Blue loc-tite is better ;-) __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

August 19th, 2014, 11:06 AM	#5
Vince Pachiano Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 307	Re: Tripod & Head are stuck together It is a Monfrotto 128RC head and Monfrotto 055XB tripod. The tripod has a simple machined aluminum disc with three threaded holes, and a stud that presumably goes into the head. In looking at my original order, I bought these together as a set. I cannot recall if that was just the way B&H packaged it (buy both, save $10), or now I am wondering if they came physically joined from the factory Tried the freezer trick, and the boiling water trick, no-joy Manfrotto 055XB Tripod w/128RC Fluid Head

August 19th, 2014, 12:34 PM	#6
Alan Craven Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: York, England Posts: 518	Re: Tripod & Head are stuck together Some Manfrotto Tripod/head combinations have three small screws around the circumference of the interface which are tightened to lock the head to the tripod. Check whether these are present in your combination, and loosen them if they are.