Swapping heads on tripod - need a tip

Hi, folks - not sure where to put this, but here goes.

 

Just picked up a Manfrotto quick-relase ball head from Adorama to replace a 3

thumb-screw head that came with the Bogen tripod I use. Want to swap it out,

and don't know how to pull off the old one....

 

Looking up the tube of the center shaft, I see a bolt waaaaay up there (a good

16-18 inches) that looks like it might secure the base of the current head. No

easy access to that; bottom plate/anchor of current head (below the pan pivot

point) has 3 set screws that look to bind it to the plate above, but when I

pull those three set screws out, no change - nothing falls apart in my hands;

no help.

 

I'm probably doing a god-awful job describing this, but if anyone's got some

tips, I'm open to advice..... How do I get a "bare" center upright, ready to

accept a new ball head?

 

 

-Mike

It may be fairly tight, but the old head will need to unscrew from the top-side end of that bolt you saw. The usual rules apply: right-tighty, left-loosey. Just turn it counter-clockwise, and it should free up, exposing the stud onto which you'll mount your new head. Say... which one did you get, anyway? Just curious!

Matt --

 

Is that bolt "hard" mounted, such that once loosened, it won't spin freely? Because if it spins freely upon separation from the old head, then I'm screwed because I won't be able to force resistance against tightening the new head down.... get me?

 

Got the Bogen - Manfrotto Midi Ball Head with RC0 Rapid Connect ---- it's a BEAUT.

 

I welcome any other tips....

Many Bogen tripods have 3 little set screws underneath the plate the head mounts upon that lock the head down to the mounting plate. If you have these, loosening them makes unscrewing the tripod head much easier.

Yesssss - GOT IT.

 

Step 1) identify bolt at bottom of 18-inch tube; panic.

Step 2) loosen 3 set screws.... (hey, what could it hurt?)

Step 3) twist, turn, twist, pull....

Step 4) catch breath

Step 5) bang on upper plate with large, heavy wrench (hey, what could it hurt?)

Step 6) twist plates gently by hand, and

 

VOILA!

 

Thanks, gang - new head installed; set screws re-set.

 

-Mike

And people say the internet is just a fad!

While we're at it, though, I will add that IF you ever do find yourself needing to replace the bolt/stud that protrudes from the top of the column (if you shear it, strip it, or cannot otherwise remove a really overtightened head) it is indeed just a standard 3/8 inch bolt, and the 1/2 inch or 13 mm. head can be reached through the length of the tube with a socket wrench and multiple extensions. Chances are you'll never need to remove it, but you can.