david_hempenstall1 Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 hi peoples! love my B1. sweet bit of gear. i need to transfer it off my 410 onto a smaller gitzo for an extended trip. no glue used, but it's hanging on TIGHT to the flat platform. i can't get a grip on the slim base of the B1. the thought of cranking down the pan knob and twisting like hell scares me. maybe heat the whole lot up and hope the rubber softens? anyone had this before and know a quick solution? what about moving the bolt from the bottom of the platform? is it glued in? thankyou! dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 Sounds like you overtightened the head on the tripod in the first place.<P>Have you tightened firmly (but not overtightened) the pan knob?<P>Have you tried grasping the pan base using one of those thin rubber pads for opening stuck jar lids?<P> heating is not recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_hempenstall1 Posted August 9, 2002 Author Share Posted August 9, 2002 ellis, problem was i put it on finger tight then just gave it a tweak to hold (no tools, just a slight twist of the wrist). i've got a feeling that the thing has just gotten a bit 'comfortable', but it is proving a nightmare to budge. i've got rubber hanger-on-thingies in front of me. score is: rubber thingy 0 arca 1 thanks mate, you're always a source of help for so many on this site. much appreciated! dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 Try grasping the body of the head and the panning base in your right hand and the center column of the tripod in your left and twisting them in opposite directions (left ; CCW & right : CW) slow and steady here.<P>Of course you could always just buy a second B1! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilbur_wong Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 Maybe instead of heating, try putting it in the freezer perhaps the rubber might shrink enough to loosen up, the other advantage is that as the rubber gets stiffer, it's surface won't follow the mating surface as you twist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_hempenstall1 Posted August 9, 2002 Author Share Posted August 9, 2002 roger that, turning off oven and opening freezer door.... stay tuned for more of "the idiot Aussie tries to solve his problem". dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_bridge Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 Removing the bolt on a 410 requires drilling out a locking pin - not recommended except as a last resort. Check out your other Gitzo and see if it uses the same platform. I've switched heads by moving the platforms. You might try a drop of cooking oil between the platform and the head left for a few hours on its side, rotate 90, another drop, ... and left overnight might free it up. Once you get it off, you might want cut a washer out of mylar or film stock so they don't adhere again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilbur_wong Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 I would be careful with any lubricants. Be sure that they won't penetrate the rubber or other resiliant surfaces here and swell the material. That would compound the problem. If I were to try a lubricant route, I think plain dish soap and water could give you the release you need. The only way for this to penetrate though is if the rubber gives enough for you to work the joint back and forth. (Professional rubber engravers who hand carve rubber for printing plates use soapy water to allow their knives to slide through rubber.) I kinda think this approach would be like removing undersized rings from oversized knuckles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_hempenstall1 Posted August 9, 2002 Author Share Posted August 9, 2002 ellis, wilbur & craig, thankyou for the help. stuck it in the freezer (head and plate). rubber-thingies and a bit of a twist and off it came. i did not remember that there was no rubber 'film' across the top of the gitzo plate. maybe the freezer didn't do a damn thing except give me the courage to give it a bit more of a twist! anyway, now at least i will be able to take the smaller gitzo out away from the main tracks. the last 100km hike with the 410 and 9 days worth of food/shelter etc was great fun... but it hurt :) cheers,dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_segal1 Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 Ah! the joy of metal-to-metal contact! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_glass Posted August 10, 2002 Share Posted August 10, 2002 Actually David, heating/cooling may be just what you need. You do not have to heat much at all, just establish a differential between the head and the base. Perhaps you can cool the base through ice or refrigeration and wrap something fairly warm around the top. Don't use extreme heat of course. You should be able to expand the head and contract the base enough to allow for easy release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_mackay Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 A plumber's "strap wrench" consisting of a rubber belt and handle (you can get a similar device at micro-tools.com) is ideal for this problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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