So I purchased a Velbon Maxi i343e tripod with a Bogen/Manfrotto 3265 attached to it a couple weeks back because I was going to put the head onto my Luxi F, and was going to give the Maxi to my fiancee with the Luxi's old head. However, when the Maxi arrived, I found that the Bogen head was attached to it with some kind of putty. It turns out that the tripod's threading was too small to fit the threading of the head, so the previous user "filled the gap" with some putty. ; I got the head off without too much of a problem, but there was still on the threading of both the Bogen head and of the Maxi tripod. ; I figured the easy solution would be just to screw them into their new counterparts, and have the correct size threading "clean out" the putty that was still on the threading (I hope everyone is still following at this point). ; However, the threading of the Luxi is the same size as the Maxi, so the Bogen head only fit loosely onto the Luxi tripod, and thus wasn't an exact fit that would "clean out" the gunk. I know there are adapters I could get to make this a flush fit, but I'm not even sure I want to keep the Bogen head (I think it might be too big for my purposes at WDW), and I definitely want to clean it before I sell it, as I don't want someone else having to deal with this problem. ; Any ideas as to how I could clean it? ; I wish I had some dental instruments, as I think they'd do the trick perfectly, lol. If this is too hard to follow without pictures, I can add some later...
I think you can buy dental picks/explorer at the big box stores in the toothpaste isle. ; Not too much money. But of course, when you compare this to the fact that the adapter costs $2 that would have fixed this in the first place...anyway, I would try an alcohol based cleaning solution first, perhaps q-tips soaked in rubbing alcohol? ; I'm guessing that may do the trick with the putty, but I'm not sure what base the putty is.
i am with roger, get the adapter. if you insist, try taking the wire out of one of the twist-ties that you would get on the produce aisle to close bags and work it thru the threads to see if that clears some of it out.
Soak the putty with alcohol, then try using the adapter may be enough to clear it out...but no open flames within 500 feet.
I would soak the putty in alcohol and then use a wire brush to clean the threads on the tripod stud and use a dental pick to clean out the threads in the tripod head. ; Just be careful not to get the alcohol on any of the lubricated parts because it will mess up the grease that is in the joints.
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. ; I have no idea why anyone would use putty, etc. when the adapters are so cheap. I think I will be the dental equipment before even getting the adapter. ; I don't want to strip any threading, and soaking with alcohol then cleaning with a wire brush or dental equipment seems to be the best way to ensure that I don't do this. I really like the Bogen head, but it's just a little bulkier than I wanted (although I half expected this before buying it). ; Anyone have any reasonably priced ($50 or less) and smaller ball head alternatives for the Luxi F? ; Quick release plate is a must.
Egads, I see the price for the smaller bogen heads! I have a Bogen tripod that I'm not sure is made any more, but it was a little more sturdy than their new Digi line, and it came with a ball head, and I swear it was only like $110 for both. ; It's only around 18/19 inches collapsed too.
One more thought for you... If the putty is really really really stubborn, you could try using the wire wheel on a bench grinder to clean out the threads on the stud. ; But, I would use that as a last resort because it will scratch the finish on the tripod. ;
Tom - You can can a regular wire brush down at your local hardware for about $5. This is just as good as a wire wheel on a bench grinder without the harsh pressure of the bench grinder. I think soaking it in alcohol & gently running the wire brush across it would work great. Let us know if this works.
Apparently I misconstrued the substance used to hold the head onto the tripod as "putty". ; It was actually thicker and proved impossible to completely removed with the alcohol and dental equipment method. However, I was able to get all of the gunk off of the tripod threading by screwing on the head from my Velbon Luxi (the threading basically cleaned itself via that method). ; I think if I buy the little adapter, I can use that same method to have the tripod clean out the remaining gunk inside of the Bogen/Manfrotto head. ; Does anyone know what size adapter I need to attach the Luxi F tripod to the Bogen/Manfrotto 3265 head? ; I seem to recall a discussion about it here, but I figure it would be easier for me to ask if someone knew off the top of their head than sift through older posts. ; Thanks in advance!
Thanks, Roger! Just to be sure, would this be what I need? ; It doesn't look as deep as the one at BH, but that might be the result of a poor stock photo: ; http://cgi.ebay.com/3-8-to-1-4-Adapter- ... tsupported
Yes, but you should be able to get it cheaper locally. ; I got mine at my local "pro" shop for $2.99 plus tax. ; No shipping.
I finally went to Cord Camera (Indianapolis) yesterday. ; The had bags of 5 of them for $19.99. ; I asked if they sold them individually, and the guy said no they do not. ; I said, "no thanks" when he asked if I wanted the bag of them, and he gave me this weird look. I swear that's one of the worst camera stores I've ever been to. ; Ridiculously inflated prices. ; Although I noticed they no longer carry Nikon or Canon lenses or cameras, and most of their cases are empty, so I wonder if they're on the way out. ; Maybe I'll head to Roberts on my lunch hour today. ; Although it's probably worth the cost of shipping to just buy it online...
That is just odd. ; Why would you need 5 of these? ; You usually put it on the tripod legs and it will stay....sheesh. If Nikon and Canon have pulled away from them, then something is definitely up.
