Should I add shims under new Ball Head? Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promaster Tripod to replace the original pan/tilt head. The original had a second disk attached to...

kbatschke Loc: Chicagoland-west

Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promaster Tripod to replace the original pan/tilt head. The original had a second disk attached to the underside (un-removable) which caused the configuration to firm up against the center column. Now, with the Manfroto head, there is a roughly 1/2" gap. The had is tight when screwed down but I'm concerned about not having solid contact between the top of the center post and the bottom of the ball head configuration. Should I look for appropriately sized washers to fill this gap?

Thanks in advance!

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I would shim it.
Maybe cut an appropriate thickness disk from plexiglass or hardwood stock with a hole saw?

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I would. That constitutes a very weak point on your head and could snap given the right amount of pressure. Even a large nut or better yet some wide washers would help

Bill_de Loc: US

First I would make sure the threads are clear in the ball head. If the screw in the tripod is really too long I would put a washer or two between bolt head and the tripod, or get a shorter screw, or cut the existing bolt.

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Remus Loc: Norfolk, UK

If you close the gap with a shim will the ball head still function? Maybe the gap is supposed to be there. Just a thought. I'm not familiar with the setup though.

Drip Dry McFleye

If it were me I would definitely add a shim because it would prevent any bending stress on the threaded stud. I'm no stress engineer but I am a retired journeyman die maker and metal model maker. The shim could be made from anything that wouldn't compress in any significant way. I would probably go for aluminum or some kind of tough plastic like nylon or delrin. If you could just shorten the screw or replace it with one of appropriate length that would be even better because you won't add any weight or additional complication to the whole package.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Longshadow wrote:

I would shim it.
Maybe cut an appropriate thickness disk from plexiglass or hardwood stock with a hole saw?

I would definitely go for shims or something, maybe nylon washers of a suitable size?

I once had a similar problem and discovered that there was a threaded collar for a smaller diameter inside the ballhead mount that I removed, and that fixed the problem.

Good luck

alby Loc: very eastern pa.

fender washers. much larger o.d. than standard washers

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

alby wrote:

fender washers. much larger o.d. than standard washers

Simplest solution.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

kbatschke wrote:

Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)

You are probably correct, a washer with the same thickness seems like a good idea!

kbatschke Loc: Chicagoland-west

Well, as it turns out (and thanks to all the input!), the tripod screw was not screwed into the base of the ball head as I had thought. All I needed to do was add a thin nylon cap (leftover from some furniture project, go figure) and the gap is nice and tight and seems very sturdy. Problem solved!

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

kbatschke wrote:

Well, as it turns out (and thanks to all the input!), the tripod screw was not screwed into the base of the ball head as I had thought. All I needed to do was add a thin nylon cap (leftover from some furniture project, go figure) and the gap is nice and tight and seems very sturdy. Problem solved!

Bill_de Loc: US

I love to hear about easy solutions with good outcomes.

Now go shoot something.

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MT Shooter Loc: Montana

kbatschke wrote:

Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)

You are missing the column top landing plate for the tripod. Check the old head, are you SURE it's not removable?

Edit: I see you figured it out.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

That's the best solution, find out what is causing the problem and fix that.

You did well,
Ken

kbatschke wrote:

Well, as it turns out (and thanks to all the input!), the tripod screw was not screwed into the base of the ball head as I had thought. All I needed to do was add a thin nylon cap (leftover from some furniture project, go figure) and the gap is nice and tight and seems very sturdy. Problem solved!