Head Loosens up at DVinfo.net

Pete Cofrancesco · October 4th, 2006, 08:02 PM

I have a 503 Bogen head along with other heads that have a tendency to loosen up.

I put the head on tight as I could and had the screws in, but after banging around in the trunk of my car the screws tend to fall out and the head will loosen up at the worst times. For example, right before a wedding. Pan right fine pan left head has no drag and it starts to unscrew. Try to tighten it and the fluid head turns instead, leaving the head still loose. Luckily I was able to secure it with Gaffer tape.

Anyone knows how to prevent the head from loosening?

Greg Boston · October 4th, 2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Cofran

I have a 503 Bogen head along with other heads that have a tendency to loosen up.

I put the head on tight as I could and had the screws in, but after banging around in the trunk of my car the screws tend to fall out and the head will loosen up at the worst times. For example, right before a wedding. Pan right fine pan left head has no drag and it starts to unscrew. Try to tighten it and the fluid head turns instead, leaving the head still loose. Luckily I was able to secure it with Gaffer tape.

Anyone knows how to prevent the head from loosening?

Remove the set screws that keep the head from unthreading and put a drop of Loctite Blue. This is a semi-permanent thread locking solution. You can get it at your local auto parts store.

-gb-

Bob Hart · October 4th, 2006, 10:58 PM

Weddings. - springtime, summertime, autumn time - trunk warm, operating environment warm.

Likely time of maintenance, after dark, appliance cool or cold when parts assembled and tightened down.

If it ever comes apart after the locktite, try warming (not heating) the appliance or leaving it in the trunk on a warm day before taking it inside for re-tightening the screws.

Pete Cofrancesco · October 5th, 2006, 04:46 PM

thx guys. locktight it is. (wait a sec, on the set screws or on the main head screw? or both?)

Why doesn't Bogen have a better way to secure the head? In my opinion the set screws should go into the head. For those who change heads often could opt not use the set screws. I mean who needs to remove the head on a regular basis? Seems like they have their priorities backwards.

October 4th, 2006, 08:02 PM	#1
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Head Loosens up I have a 503 Bogen head along with other heads that have a tendency to loosen up. I put the head on tight as I could and had the screws in, but after banging around in the trunk of my car the screws tend to fall out and the head will loosen up at the worst times. For example, right before a wedding. Pan right fine pan left head has no drag and it starts to unscrew. Try to tighten it and the fluid head turns instead, leaving the head still loose. Luckily I was able to secure it with Gaffer tape. Anyone knows how to prevent the head from loosening?

October 4th, 2006, 10:58 PM	#3
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Weddings. - springtime, summertime, autumn time - trunk warm, operating environment warm. Likely time of maintenance, after dark, appliance cool or cold when parts assembled and tightened down. If it ever comes apart after the locktite, try warming (not heating) the appliance or leaving it in the trunk on a warm day before taking it inside for re-tightening the screws.

October 5th, 2006, 04:46 PM	#4
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	thx guys. locktight it is. (wait a sec, on the set screws or on the main head screw? or both?) Why doesn't Bogen have a better way to secure the head? In my opinion the set screws should go into the head. For those who change heads often could opt not use the set screws. I mean who needs to remove the head on a regular basis? Seems like they have their priorities backwards.