Depends on how hard you swing it...

When I first started driving a school bus, I could not believe that there wasn't an adult riding to control the students. We were expected to control the kids and keep them in their seats, while driving the big yellow beastie through rush-hour traffic. For several years, I drove a route which went up and down a mountain! I had instances of kids yelling foul abuse out of the windows while passing along Main Street. The school refused to discipline the students in question, unless I could be heard on the video saying "don't swear... don't swear... don't swear..."

I was waiting for the first time there was a bus accident, and the driver reported that he had been controlling the students, rather than concentrating on driving...

The last couple of years before I retired, I told my boss, if they start a fire in the back of the bus, I will react to it. Otherwise, I see nothing!

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

It might not have made it to the US... Animated series, back in the 60s, by Jerry & Silvia Anderson. Should be out there in cyberspace somewhere!

Didn't they have a camera detector on all the 'Thunderbird' craft? Didn't want anyone to learn about "International Rescue"...

I was parked at the kerb, disgorging students. She was behind me, but came around me, then changed her mind and went to turn around. Not a terribly wide road in any case, but with my big yellow beastie sitting there, she had no chance of getting around in one. Stopped, stuck it into reverse, obviously didn't even glance at any of her mirrors, then *bang*. Not much damage to the bus, but the plastic at the back of her car was a bit of a mess...

While dropping off students outside the high school, in a full-size bus this time, I had a girl back into the side of my bus while trying to do a 3-point turn... If she had even glanced at the mirror, she would have seen a yellow 'wall' filling her view! I spoke with her father, while we were waiting for the school authorities to finish their proceedings, and he told me that this was her 3rd accident in less than a month...

I have always said that 16-year-olds are too young to be driving on the roads...

While leaving the high school in a school van loaded with special-needs students, I was holding at the entrance waiting for traffic, and a student actually walked into the side of the van, while looking at his phone...

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!

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

Well, if you choose to live in the far north, what can you expect???

I agree... Saw it on youtube, and watched a whole heap of reviews. At this price point, I just couldn't resist... Being remotely operated, on these cold winter nights, I can sit in a warm car and let it do its stuff. Provided I actually get to see the sky one of these days!

Yes!!! Thank you so much! Thanks also to everyone else who had suggestions.

I have a little device which goes between the tripod and telescope, and allows accurate leveling - without having to get down to the bottom of the legs!

All I need now is a view of the sky... Night or day, it doesn't matter - the scope ships with a solar filter, so if not the stars, I could try for some of these here sunspots. I don't think I have seen blue sky or a single star since I got the thing. Apart from temperatures close to zero, which doesn't help. We are supposed to start warming up tomorrow - but of course the forecast calls for rain... *sigh*

Anyway, thanks again to you all!

There used to be one at the bottom of the church carpark where I do my astro work, but isn't there any more...

I don't have anywhere at the house where I could set up,

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Thanks guys for the tips. I know that at least some of them do have removable heads, as I replaced a pan and tilt head with a ballhead on at least one. Several of them are in my car, which is temporarily "out of reach". I will go check the one I have here indoors, and see, but I didn't see a setscrew while struggling with it the other day...