Decapitation! (Page 2): The reason you don't have clear skies, is because you bought Astro Gear. You must wait the obligatory 30-60 days. Ask me, I know. 😎😎😎...

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

The reason you don't have clear skies, is because you bought Astro Gear. You must wait the obligatory 30-60 days. Ask me, I know. 😎😎😎

TerryVS

Checking the bottom for retention screws is first. If really stubborn put the tripod in the deep freeze (or in your case maybe outside!). Try again after several hours and see it that makes it easier.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

alberio wrote:

The reason you don't have clear skies, is because you bought Astro Gear. You must wait the obligatory 30-60 days. Ask me, I know. 😎😎😎

I hear you! Maybe I should go stock up on beach supplies...?

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

TerryVS wrote:

Checking the bottom for retention screws is first. If really stubborn put the tripod in the deep freeze (or in your case maybe outside!). Try again after several hours and see it that makes it easier.

There were actually 3 screws... I undid one, and the head was able to move a bit, but they all had to come off before the head would rotate off. Not sure just why the head needed that much securing... I bought a couple of these Vanguard ball-heads to replace at least 1 pan and tilt head, but this must have been the tripod which came with one already on, because I certainly didn't fasten any screws on the ones I put on!

TerryVS

Bloke wrote:

There were actually 3 screws... I undid one, and the head was able to move a bit, but they all had to come off before the head would rotate off. Not sure just why the head needed that much securing... I bought a couple of these Vanguard ball-heads to replace at least 1 pan and tilt head, but this must have been the tripod which came with one already on, because I certainly didn't fasten any screws on the ones I put on!

Good deal. Probably old enough they actually bolted things together right. Today the screws would be an accessory! Glad you got it going.

Mwilliamsphotography Loc: Royal Oak Michigan & Palm Harbor Florida

I have a number of different tripods I use for different applications.

On some of them I have different heads ... ball head for general work and independent screw-control type heads for studio applications.

They get stuck all the time and are hard to remove.

I found that a sharp, snap like action is required to "release" the grip.

Lock the controls for panning action really tight. Hold the head with both hands at about belly button hight close to your body and do a quick hard snap left like you were breaking the neck of your worse enemy ... LOL!

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Mwilliamsphotography wrote:

I found that a sharp, snap like action is required to "release" the grip.

Lock the controls for panning action really tight. Hold the head with both hands at about belly button hight close to your body and do a quick hard snap left like you were breaking the neck of your worse enemy ... LOL!

Before asking the question on here, I must admit I tried to loosen it with a hammer...

Mwilliamsphotography Loc: Royal Oak Michigan & Palm Harbor Florida

Hammer doesn't have any leverage.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Mwilliamsphotography wrote:

Hammer doesn't have any leverage.

Depends on how hard you swing it...