Remove Sirui ballhead G20 stuck plate


DemonicAngelz

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Mar 15, 2006
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I'm trying to replace the mounting plate (not the one that attaches to the camera) on my G20 ball head with a Benro pano head. I'm having trouble removing the arca swiss plate with the hex screw because its screwed in too tight.

Any ideas on how to remove it? I tried alcohol already.
 

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It's the plate that directly attaches to the stalk of the ballhead?

I'm not sure if the hex screw had been thread-locked down during assembly from the factory if it's that tight. Usually if it's thread-locked then some heat on the hex screw will do the trick. Touch just the hex screw *AND ONLY THE HEX SCREW* briefly with a soldering iron and try unscrewing it again. Will not do any damage if done correctly.

If it's tight simply from a frictional fit, then you may want to stick the entire ballhead assembly in the freezer for a few hours, bring it out and let it warm up a bit, then try unscrewing again. Hopefully, the screw mount would reach room temperature / expand faster than the hex screw making it easier to remove.
 

Instead some design you just grap the plate and turn it off the stalk of the ballhead.The hex slot is redundant.
Else go down to TK photo and ask them for help.
 

Instead some design you just grap the plate and turn it off the stalk of the ballhead.The hex slot is redundant.
Else go down to TK photo and ask them for help.

Was intending to do that soon as a last resort. It should be covered under warranty right? I mean its not working properly (cant be dismantled)
 

It's the plate that directly attaches to the stalk of the ballhead?

I'm not sure if the hex screw had been thread-locked down during assembly from the factory if it's that tight. Usually if it's thread-locked then some heat on the hex screw will do the trick. Touch just the hex screw *AND ONLY THE HEX SCREW* briefly with a soldering iron and try unscrewing it again. Will not do any damage if done correctly.

If it's tight simply from a frictional fit, then you may want to stick the entire ballhead assembly in the freezer for a few hours, bring it out and let it warm up a bit, then try unscrewing again. Hopefully, the screw mount would reach room temperature / expand faster than the hex screw making it easier to remove.

Don't have a soldering iron though.
 

Instead some design you just grap the plate and turn it off the stalk of the ballhead.The hex slot is redundant.
Else go down to TK photo and ask them for help.

This doesn't work with the Sirui heads, as the clamp has a groove which the stalks slot into.
 

Was intending to do that soon as a last resort. It should be covered under warranty right? I mean its not working properly (cant be dismantled)

Warranty doesn't cover self inflicted or accidental damage. Warranties only covers manufacturer's defects.
 

What you need to do is to wrap the clamp with a piece of cloth and clamp it down in a vice clamp. Then use a very strong allen key and with some leverage, give the locking bolt a fair bit of pressure to break the threadlocker loose.

I done it before and it takes a fair amount of force. heat definitely helps.
 

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Warranty doesn't cover self inflicted or accidental damage. Warranties only covers manufacturer's defects.

Isan't it a manufacturer defect if the top plate which is meant to be able to removable cannot be unscrewed? As long as there are no damage to the screw and the "stick" part under the plate its not considered accidental damage as well right?
 

What you need to do is to wrap the clamp with a piece of cloth and clamp it down in a vice clamp. Then use a very strong allen key and with some leverage, give the locking bolt a fair bit of pressure to break the threadlocker loose.

I done it before and it takes a fair amount of force. heat definitely helps.

Tried the cloth and allen key technique already. Guess I'm not strong enough. How to heat it though?
 

Tried the cloth and allen key technique already. Guess I'm not strong enough. How to heat it though?

Did you use a vice clamp to clamp down the QR clamp? And you need leverage for your allen key, a longer pipe or an adjustable wrench will do the trick...

For heat, Soldering iron... try asking friends in EE course in uni or poly. They should have one.

BTW, I removed mine from the G10 head without using heat. So it is perfectly doable.
 

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Isan't it a manufacturer defect if the top plate which is meant to be able to removable cannot be unscrewed? As long as there are no damage to the screw and the "stick" part under the plate its not considered accidental damage as well right?

It is removable... in the right way. If you break it while removing it, it is not a defect. BTW, I think nowhere in any literature in manuals or sirui official site did they state the part is user removable.

You need to try to understand what manufacturer's warranty means. even if you are careless in changing lenses and broke one of the indexing tabs or break the mount, the camera manufacturer will not fix for you under warranty.
 

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DemonicAngelz said:
I actually did before I proceeded to use extreme measures. Apparently its not covered under warranty.

Well u need tompay for it now anyway haha
 

sad to report that I failed. Wore out the screw threads trying.

The threads or rounded out the hex head? Should be the later right? :eek:

Nevertheless, you may want to try heading down to a machining shop to drill out the bolt. Kakit Bukit area or Kelantan area. Try out automotive servicing shops too, a stripped bolt is quite common on vehicles :bsmilie:

You will destroy the bolt totally by drilling it out, but I guess you can get a replacement from TK since they are Sirui's dealer.

Alternatively, try Poe Huat Screws at Block 31 Kelantan lane, they sell every type of bolt/screw/nut etc. available and cheap too.. Around 30 cents to one dollar for a huge bolt.

Lastly, just learn to live with it or buy another ballhead (good excuse to upgrade and get a RRS or Markins teehee =D)
 

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The threads or rounded out the hex head? Should be the later right? :eek:

Nevertheless, you may want to try heading down to a machining shop to drill out the bolt. Kakit Bukit area or Kelantan area. Try out automotive servicing shops too, a stripped bolt is quite common on vehicles :bsmilie:

You will destroy the bolt totally by drilling it out, but I guess you can get a replacement from TK since they are Sirui's dealer.

Alternatively, try Poe Huat Screws at Block 31 Kelantan lane, they sell every type of bolt/screw/nut etc. available and cheap too.. Around 30 cents to one dollar for a huge bolt.

Lastly, just learn to live with it or buy another ballhead (good excuse to upgrade and get a RRS or Markins teehee =D)

I've already got a spare bolt. Just have to remove mine! I guess I could live with it. The Benro pano head comes with a arca swiss plate. Just that I'd be carrying alot of extra metal for no purpose.

On a side note, if anyone can remove the bolt for me I'd be happy to pay for the service at a reasonable charge.
 

Read from the China Sirui forum that the quick release clamp is glued on to the ballhead. So, it is not removable by unscrewing the bolt...

The forum also said that the authorized dealer can remove the clamp at the customer request. Can TK Photo help?
 

Read from the China Sirui forum that the quick release clamp is glued on to the ballhead. So, it is not removable by unscrewing the bolt...

The forum also said that the authorized dealer can remove the clamp at the customer request. Can TK Photo help?

It is not glued. It is bolted on, and white threadlocker was applied onto the bolt to hold it in place. I know because I removed mine before.