Sand in the Tripod (and head)

darkdragon

A while back I purchased a used tripod (bogen) and just tossed it in my closet for use if I needed it. The other night I remembered it and pulled it out to use it.

The thing is, I noticed that there is a LOT of sand in the joints and in the head parts (Bogen 503 fluid head).

Anyone have any idea how to get the tripod and/or head cleaned of this sand? I'm guessing the head will have to go to the manufacturer but maybe i can clean the legs

:dunno

Manfr3d

Disassemble and clean with dry cloth or soft brush.

Art Scott

when mine have gotten really dirty....I just disassemble them and wash with warm water in the shower ( i have a hand-held shower sprayer) and then let it dry completely be reassembly...same for the heads....flush every thing out with warm water.....but have no steel or iron in any of my pods and their heads.....it is either composites or aluminum....... so never a worry about rust..........

darkdragon

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can find the disasembly instructions for my tripod. I haven't been able to figure out how to get the head off yet (I didn't put it on).

Art Scott

darkdragon wrote:

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can find the disasembly instructions for my tripod. I haven't been able to figure out how to get the head off yet (I didn't put it on).

the head should just screw off....but have the rotation screw tightened as tight as possible.......everything else should come loose with the undoing of hex screws (hex wrenches and allen wrenches are the same...little "L" shaped 6 sized wrench .... mostly used for set-screws........)....this for quick release legs......if they are twist locks then just undo the twist lock till it comes apart and gently pull legs out of each other and remember how it goes back....or better yet ......take photos of the disassembly.....

ziggy53

darkdragon wrote:

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can find the disasembly instructions for my tripod. I haven't been able to figure out how to get the head off yet (I didn't put it on).

Look under the head and see if there are some set screws that keep the head from unscrewing from the base the head rests on.

Here is a link to a BM page showing about where they are located.

http://www.manfrotto.com/webdav/site/manfrotto/shared/webphotoschool/_756MF3___303____Shooting_Coastal_Panoramas/1112633185_fig_8.jpg

After the set-screws are backed off, the head should unscrew in a counter-clockwise motion.

ziggy53

Maybe this is a better view of the set screws:

http://www.manfrotto.com/webdav/site/manfrotto/shared/webphotoschool/_Manfrotto__How_to_Use_a_Tripod__The_Basics/1112053283_fig-3.jpg

Art Scott

ziggy53 wrote:

Look under the head and see if there are some set screws that keep the head from unscrewing from the base the head rests on.

Here is a link to a BM page showing about where they are located.

http://www.manfrotto.com/webdav/site/manfrotto/shared/webphotoschool/_756MF3___303____Shooting_Coastal_Panoramas/1112633185_fig_8.jpg

After the set-screws are backed off, the head should unscrew in a counter-clockwise motion.

Good call Ziggy53.....I had forgotten about the set screws under the head....oh yeah I never tightened mine down, or is it up.....yeah it is up cause the screw goes up into the bottom of your head...:D