Merlin dovetail plate keeps working loose at DVinfo.net

Gabe Strong · December 8th, 2007, 01:50 AM

Hmmm....so I have my Steadicam Merlin and I just can't get it to stay attached to my PD-150. The screw that attaches the dovetail plate to the camera just keeps coming loose. I already tried the gaffer's tape fix that Garrett suggests on the DVD and it may have helped a little, but it's loose again. Any suggestions or tips on fixing this?

Mikko Wilson · December 8th, 2007, 05:34 AM

The regular 1/4"-20 camera screw? How tight are you tightening it?

- Mikko

Adrinn Chellton · December 8th, 2007, 02:31 PM

I had a similar issue(the plate kept rotating slightly to the left or right which threw off the trim balance).

I didn't want to tighten the screw too much and risk stripping the threads. So I placed cut pieces of a wide(produce) rubber band on the plate before tightening it down. This fixed the problem so well that I can set the merlin down and pick it up and not have to touch the trim.

I don't know if this would help in your situation, but a small amount of side to side motion could be loosening the screw.

ps. Make sure the rubber isn't too thick so the screw can still get enough bite in the camera mount.

Gabe Strong · December 8th, 2007, 04:46 PM

Mikko,

Yeah, it's the regular 1/4 camera screw. I thought I had tightened it pretty good too, of course I am being a little careful and not reefing on it to hard but I would have thought it would have been plenty tight.

Adrinn,

Thanks, sounds like what mine is doing. I'll see if I can find an old rubber band around!

Mikko Wilson · December 14th, 2007, 09:19 AM

Gabe,
Are you using the Gezornenplatz screw?

- Mikko

Buba Kastorski · December 16th, 2007, 09:56 PM

I've had the same problem when I started to use merlin, first with FX1, now with A1, (wonder if it'll work with EX1);
3 layers of duct tape on the bottom of the camera solved the problem, I guess the tape gives an extra pad to keep that plate tight,
:-)

Gabe Strong · December 18th, 2007, 10:57 PM

Mikko,

Yeah, I was using the Gezornenplatz screw because of the weight of the PD-150. I actually put the Merlin away for a few days as I got busy with some editing work, a timelapse shoot, and an interview shoot with the Sony HDW 750 which is way to big to use on the Merlin. I am finishing up all that stuff and should be able to play with the Merlin again in a day or so, hopefully I can get the PD-150 to stay attached a little better.....

December 8th, 2007, 01:50 AM	#1
Gabe Strong Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 814	Merlin dovetail plate keeps working loose Hmmm....so I have my Steadicam Merlin and I just can't get it to stay attached to my PD-150. The screw that attaches the dovetail plate to the camera just keeps coming loose. I already tried the gaffer's tape fix that Garrett suggests on the DVD and it may have helped a little, but it's loose again. Any suggestions or tips on fixing this?

December 8th, 2007, 05:34 AM	#2
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	The regular 1/4"-20 camera screw? How tight are you tightening it? - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

December 14th, 2007, 09:19 AM	#5
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Gabe, Are you using the Gezornenplatz screw? - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

December 8th, 2007, 02:31 PM	#3
Adrinn Chellton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 195	I had a similar issue(the plate kept rotating slightly to the left or right which threw off the trim balance). I didn't want to tighten the screw too much and risk stripping the threads. So I placed cut pieces of a wide(produce) rubber band on the plate before tightening it down. This fixed the problem so well that I can set the merlin down and pick it up and not have to touch the trim. I don't know if this would help in your situation, but a small amount of side to side motion could be loosening the screw. ps. Make sure the rubber isn't too thick so the screw can still get enough bite in the camera mount.

December 8th, 2007, 04:46 PM	#4
Gabe Strong Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 814	Mikko, Yeah, it's the regular 1/4 camera screw. I thought I had tightened it pretty good too, of course I am being a little careful and not reefing on it to hard but I would have thought it would have been plenty tight. Adrinn, Thanks, sounds like what mine is doing. I'll see if I can find an old rubber band around!

December 16th, 2007, 09:56 PM	#6
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	I've had the same problem when I started to use merlin, first with FX1, now with A1, (wonder if it'll work with EX1); 3 layers of duct tape on the bottom of the camera solved the problem, I guess the tape gives an extra pad to keep that plate tight, :-)

December 18th, 2007, 10:57 PM	#7
Gabe Strong Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 814	Mikko, Yeah, I was using the Gezornenplatz screw because of the weight of the PD-150. I actually put the Merlin away for a few days as I got busy with some editing work, a timelapse shoot, and an interview shoot with the Sony HDW 750 which is way to big to use on the Merlin. I am finishing up all that stuff and should be able to play with the Merlin again in a day or so, hopefully I can get the PD-150 to stay attached a little better.....