broken ballhead...

Carlo

Carlo

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Carl
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My old Benro KS-2 ballhead needs a new locking screw, snapped off at the thread when i was tightening it last night! :bang: obviously this is discontinued (the ballhead) but was hoping i can source a replacement screw from somewhere.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
i'm sure i still have the box/instructions, but i dont think it'll have the dimensions of the screw etc!
 
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Carlo said:
My old Benro KS-2 ballhead needs a new locking screw, snapped off at the thread when i was tightening it last night! :bang: obviously this is discontinued (the ballhead) but was hoping i can source a replacement screw from somewhere.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
i'm sure i still have the box/instructions, but i dont think it'll have the dimensions of the screw etc!
Click to expand...


How about contacting Benro direct (if that is possible?)

They may just send you the screw!
 
Bummer! Beaten on the line!
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You can find such a pinol screw in any well assorted hardware store. Standard either UNC or metric threading. They'll know.

But then you must "clean out" the mounting hole in the handle... good luck with that!
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Maybe an electronic store can find you an acceptable alternative handle... like the ones for potentiometers or switches.

Before beginning a search, I would definitely contact mr. Chan!



Or grab the opportunity and upgrade ballhead...
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If you can't get a proper replacement, you should be able to get a length of studding (or a long bolt) with the correct thread, file or machine the end to a rounded point then bend the bolt/studding to allow you to tighten it on the ball.
 
Nod said:
If you can't get a proper replacement, you should be able to get a length of studding (or a long bolt) with the correct thread, file or machine the end to a rounded point then bend the bolt/studding to allow you to tighten it on the ball.
Click to expand...

No need to bend if you can find a suitable bolt. Just tighten two nuts against each other at the end, with some threadlock compound to ensure they wont loosen.
 
The bend is to give a bit more leverage to lock the ball off. Just using a pair of nuts locked together leaves it a bit hard to get a good enough grip to get it done up tight enough. Using a butterfly nut would probably work though.
 
thanks for all the replies guys.
Had replies asking for pics from dcphoto's and photopal and Gaz has very kindly offered to fabricate me one if i have no luck.
Top marks once again from the TP members :thumbs:
Carlo
 
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Gaz J said:
Is the thread in the main body still OK. My guess is that it will be a metric thread. Hard to make a guess at the diameter but 6 or 8 mm.

I've put a link here to something that may be suitable but you need to check the thread diameter. It's unlikely that they will have used a non off the shelf thread size for cost reasons.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Handwheel...299?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item564e1ba61b

Gaz
Click to expand...


The thread in the ballhead body is fine.
There was about 2-3mm of the screw thread sticking out of the ballhead body, so i had to file the top and bottom of the screw thread down so i had two flat surfaces that i could attach a small adjustable spanner on and then unscrewed it!
It's resulted in a few scratches on the ballhead body but nothing a little touch up paint won't cure!
 
Dropped back in to see if you'd had any luck and to offer to make something for you but see that Gaz has already offered! He may have access to a lathe to make something a bit more elegant than I can do. If you get stuck, drop me a PM and I'll see what I can do.
 
Nod said:
Dropped back in to see if you'd had any luck and to offer to make something for you but see that Gaz has already offered! He may have access to a lathe to make something a bit more elegant than I can do. If you get stuck, drop me a PM and I'll see what I can do.
Click to expand...

Hi Nod (and Gaz)
Just had a reply from DC's photography store telling me they emailed the manufacturer for prices, and will email them again tomorrow.
If this draws a blank i may well be in touch!
Thanks again both of you for the very kind offer (i will of course pay either of you for your time/materials)
Carlo
 
Yes I can get access to a lathe. Let me know if you need it done. Hopefully you'll get a OE one but it will be no trouble to knock one up. I've got previous for making photography stuff.
 
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