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Should I add shims under new Ball Head?
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Feb 27, 2017 05:32:35   #
Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis
 
kbatschke wrote:
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!
Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)


Just go to a good hardware store adn ask for 1/4 or 3/8 Fender washers they have the proper size hole and a large outside diameter, get enough to fill the gap, then make sure the head tightens down on the washers and not the end of the stud as it is now.

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Feb 27, 2017 05:52:54   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
kbatschke wrote:
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!
Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)


Stainless steel washers. But first, make sure that there is plenty of 1/4 20 thread going into your ball head, at least a 1/4 inch or more so that it does not come loose. The washers should bridge the gap easily. Or, as they say in England, " Mind the gap".

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Feb 27, 2017 07:43:46   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
kbatschke wrote:
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!
Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)


I have a very simple solution for using a ball head with a pan and tilt. I attach a Manfrotto QR plate to the ball head, and that simply attaches to the receiving plate on the T&P. The ball head snaps on and off as if it were a camera, and I can use it on any of my tripods.

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Feb 27, 2017 07:55:24   #
JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore
 
kbatschke wrote:
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!
Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)


You would probably be better served to to the local hardware store and look for some rubber or plastic (nylon) bushings with the proper selection of OD, ID. & thickness and buy an extra just in case...; the two will probably total less than $0.50

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Feb 27, 2017 10:44:36   #
lowkick Loc: Connecticut
 
kbatschke wrote:
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!
Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)


Shim it. Just go to the hardware store and buy several fender washers to pu between the tripod and the head.

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Feb 27, 2017 11:00:37   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
It should not need to be shimmed. Only thing is sometimes you need a reducing bushing to go from 3/16 thread in a ball head to 1/4-20 thread on a stand, monopod or tripod. Most tripods are going to have a 3/16 diameter connection in my experience. Some monopod gave reversible studs with both threads. I believe my Gitzo has that feature.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

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Feb 27, 2017 12:45:57   #
808caver Loc: Maui
 
I'd shave the 1/4-20 stud so if you forget the shim, it still will be tight

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Feb 27, 2017 14:58:43   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
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!



Glad to hear, you solved it in such easy manner!!!

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Feb 27, 2017 15:52:49   #
Don Craig Loc: Saranac, NY
 
kbatschke wrote:
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!
Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)


I would. Most hardware or automotive shops have wide flat "body" or fender washers. You could probably stack about three in there.

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Feb 27, 2017 16:13:33   #
Jim Bob
 
kbatschke wrote:
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!
Purchased a Manfroto XPro Ball head for my Promast... (show quote)


Shimmy, shimmy coa coa pop.

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Feb 27, 2017 21:04:58   #
stadtmkw Loc: Burlington, MA
 
Peterff wrote:
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


Stainless washers if you use the tripod outside.

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