Ball Head not tightening

Skyline

Skyline

Emmet Brickowski
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Name
Dave
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No
1. Hold ball head.
2. Stops it left to right.
3. Screws onto a tripod/monopod.

The big dial (1) does not do its job no more no matter how much I tighten it. The ball still wobbles. I have taken it apart as much as I can to show, but I don’t see myself if there’s a fix.
Any idea what I need to do or is it broken?








 
That looks like an inexpensive ballhead... I have a few of those around. On a head like that the locking knob is actually a conical screw. And when it is screwed in it wedges the ball (or a cup under the ball) upwards forcing the ball into the conical opening at the top. This is a picture of the main locking screw/knob removed from a similar type head.

Untitled-.jpg

My guess is that the screw is locked up in the housing and "tightening/loosening" the knob is really just screwing/unscrewing the knob on/off the end of it...the knob is often only held by some thread locker. You could try applying some new thread locker and hope the knob bonds to the screw enough that it can be broken free with the knob. Using pliers to remove/free the screw will damage the threads, but maybe fixable with a die if you have the right one. But IMO, this is a good excuse to upgrade to a better head if it's within the budget.
 
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I suspect a couple of nails or screw in two of the holes in part 3 and it'll screw out so you can have a better look at it s workings. Be able to use a screwdriver as a bar to leverage the screw s to unscrew
 
 
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rd6743 said:
I suspect a couple of nails or screw in two of the holes in part 3 and it'll screw out so you can have a better look at it s workings. Be able to use a screwdriver as a bar to leverage the screw s to unscrew
Click to expand...
The part with the three screw holes is the panning mechanism; it is designed to spin freely when the pan friction is loosened. I'm not sure what is holding the outer ring. It may be free to remove now with the pan friction knob/screw removed, or it may be being held captive by the stuck ball locking screw.
 
Yes, I belies a cheap one. I can’t remember where I got it.
I have another four def all heads around so don’t really need another. Just wondering if this is fixable.
 
Skyline said:
Just wondering if this is fixable.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't bother unless you just want it around for miscellaneous use. The ones I have like that are used to hold/position speedlights and props/holders for product photography... they're not used to actually hold a camera.
 
sk66 said:
I wouldn't bother unless you just want it around for miscellaneous use. The ones I have like that are used to hold/position speedlights and props/holders for product photography... they're not used to actually hold a camera.
Click to expand...
I just got some grips on that big screw, let’s just say it won’t do anything now :LOL:
 
Ah! I was going to suggest sticking the whole shebang into a jug of boiling water to see if the difference in the coefficient of expansion between the screw and the body was enough to loosen it a bit.
 
 
I have been using one of these for the past eight years in preference to all my other ball heads. It is smoother acting and locks with out creep better
Than an any other head that I have used. the double rotator is a blessing as it lets you rotate parallel after setting the ball
.it is incredible value for such a high quality head. They also do an E3 H2hor even heavier cameras or lenses.


koolehaoda E2 Tripod Ball Head double Panoramic Head with Quick Release Plate For Camera Tripod, Net weight only 280G,Maximum load: 12KG (E2-Panoramic Head): Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo https://share.google/ZnLPqlgCo5HnQgNqT
 
harrisoncameras.co.uk

Dorr Highlights XB-45 Ball Head

The Highlights XB-45 Ball Head is a professional ball head from Dorr made of aluminium with friction control and 2 panorama scales. Supplied with a quick release plate with a 1/4" camera mount and 3/8" tripod mount with a 20kg maximum payload.
harrisoncameras.co.uk harrisoncameras.co.uk

This is a 45mm ball version of the same head also made by Highlights and marked by Dürr
It is suitable for much heavier cameras as it can hold 20kg . That is silly very economical for a low profile head that can pan straight and level.
Unlike any ball head with out a top rotator.

Highlghts make four versions a mini one suitable for mini cameras and flashes the 28mm the 35 the 45, they are marketed under different names around the world by a variety of distributers. They can be harder to find in the UK. Camera shops tend to order them in batches through Alibaba who will supply them direct from the factory in batches as few as ten.
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
harrisoncameras.co.uk

Dorr Highlights XB-45 Ball Head

The Highlights XB-45 Ball Head is a professional ball head from Dorr made of aluminium with friction control and 2 panorama scales. Supplied with a quick release plate with a 1/4" camera mount and 3/8" tripod mount with a 20kg maximum payload.
harrisoncameras.co.uk harrisoncameras.co.uk

This is a 45mm ball version of the same head also made by Highlights and marked by Dürr
It is suitable for much heavier cameras as it can hold 20kg . That is silly very economical for a low profile head that can pan straight and level.
Unlike any ball head with out a top rotator.

Highlghts make four versions a mini one suitable for mini cameras and flashes the 28mm the 35 the 45, they are marketed under different names around the world by a variety of distributers. They can be harder to find in the UK. Camera shops tend to order them in batches through Alibaba who will supply them direct from the factory in batches as few as ten.
Click to expand...

They look very good, I’m not in the market for a new one at the moment. I was only trying to fix this at it was on an older monopod I have.
 
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