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09/11/2008 05:01:06 PM · #1 |
I am a total novice about "real" tripods.. mine have always been of the walmart variety. I bought a ballhead off ebay with tripod legs to follow. I got the head today and the ball itself is covered in this sticky, resin like stuff. Is that normal? I'm thinking on one hand it needs lubrication to move, but a lot of the ball is in the open, getting dirt, hair, etc stuck to the ball, wouldn't that make it hard to operate? So is this normal?... or do I need to clean it somehow, and if so, how?
Message edited by author 2008-09-11 17:01:48. |
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09/11/2008 05:10:27 PM · #2 |
Not normal from my experience, and I can't imagine that it's supposed to be this way. I'd find a way to clean it before using it. Perhaps rubbing alcohol? Soapy water (if you dry it carefully afterwards)?
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09/11/2008 05:12:48 PM · #3 |
Clean it before using it, although using it won't break it or anything. I have a tripod that had the same issue. I figure it was cheap lubricant that evaporated with time. I didn't add anything to it before using it either.
eta. Use something like lighter fluid or paint thinner to remove it.
Message edited by author 2008-09-11 17:13:59. |
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09/11/2008 05:14:12 PM · #4 |
It is probably Cosmoline a rust preventative that they use in packing and shipping of metal parts.
Mineral spirits and canned air will remove it. |
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09/11/2008 05:15:52 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:
It is probably Cosmoline a rust preventative that they use in packing and shipping of metal parts.
Mineral spirits and canned air will remove it. |
woohoo i'm smarter!
From Wiki:
Cosmoline is the trade name for a generic class of rust preventatives, conforming to MIL-C-11796C Class 3, that are a yellowish, light-amber, or greenish colored ointment-like mass |
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09/11/2008 05:17:16 PM · #6 |
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09/11/2008 06:22:10 PM · #7 |
It's probably glue, and the only thing holding it together. :D
Just kidding. If the head is new, then it probably is Cosmoline or something similar.
I had a fluid head for my video camera once that started leaking. It was some very sticky icky stuff. Kind of like grease, but not.
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09/11/2008 06:23:17 PM · #8 |
Message edited by author 2008-09-11 18:23:59. |
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09/11/2008 06:37:28 PM · #9 |
edit: nevermind - I thought it said "question about bald heads"
Message edited by author 2008-09-11 18:37:35. |
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09/11/2008 06:42:37 PM · #10 |
| LoL, wait.... it isn't photoshopped? I was going to ask if I could have the action; nevermind. |
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09/11/2008 08:13:33 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Mick:
It's probably glue, and the only thing holding it together. :D |
I hope Manfrotto holds together better than that. lol
and thanks for the comments and help everyone..
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09/11/2008 08:31:25 PM · #12 |
| if its the 808 rc4 like mine its normal, dont try to clean it. unless it isnt gliding smoothe then you have a problem. on a side note i have two cats and their hair sticks to everything but the ball head, go figure. |
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09/11/2008 08:51:58 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
edit: nevermind - I thought it said "question about bald heads" |
And being ex Navy I'm sure your bald pate is covered with Cosmoline like all the other weapons. |
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09/11/2008 08:55:38 PM · #14 |
| Send us a picture of your new ball head. Be sure to read any instructions that came with it. It is possible to ruin a ball head. |
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