Lightstand rivet?

[alan_chan4]

<p>This is probably a silly question but I have 2 lightstands - Manfrotto Nano and Avenger A625B (both Made in Italy). Both have a few rivets look like this. Is this a practical concern that they might just break away after years of harsh use?</p><div></div>

[acbeddoe]

<p>That is certainly an example of both mediocre workmanship and poor quality control/inspection. I would not buy a product with that kind of defect, and if I inspected a few examples and they all showed this, I would look at other brands.<br>

It is certainly less strong than a properly installed rivet, and the rough edge may catch on cloth or skin. It will likely fail sooner than a properly installed rivet.</p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>If you're concerned about durability of that rivet, drill it out and replace it with a screw, a couple of washers, and a nylock nut.</p>

<p>If it's blind (i.e., you can't see both sides of it), you're stuck with a rivet, like it or not.</p>

<p><Chas></p>

[devon_mccarroll]

<p>Have you tried contacting the company? They're a very reputable brand, and depending on how long you've had the stands, they may offer to replace them for you.</p>

[alan_chan4]

<p>Thanks for the replies. Yes I can see both sides of the rivets so replaced them with screws & locknuts could be an option when needed. Since I am in Canada, shipping them back for replacements won't be cheap, and my instinct suggests this might be the norm for Manfrotto lightstands so pushing for exchange might yield nothing. Not that I am really concerned, just that I haven't seen enough lightstands to know better. I thought the more expensive Avenger would be better made than the Manfrotto brand. Guess I was wrong.</p>

[george_ghio]

<p>I have to agree that if the rivets pose a potential problem than they should be replaced before they fail. One word of warning, if the tripods are made of aluminium the screws/bolts should be of stainless steel to avoid galvanic corrosion.</p>

[alan_chan4]

<p>Thanks George for the tips.</p>

[devon_mccarroll]

<p>My Avenger lightstand doesn't have that problem. I think before you write off even contacting Manfrotto, you should at least try. It can't hurt to ask before you make the assumption that it won't be worth it, but that's just my humble opinion!</p>

[alan_chan4]

<p>Yeah I have contacted B&H for exchange. Another $20 to the cost. :(</p>