Attaching a head to a column-less Gitzo?

[Frank Petronio]

So my friend gives me this wee Gitzo but it is lacking the 0-series column. Any suggestions for attaching a head without the column?

Also what would be a good cheap ballhead for 0-series Gitzo? Standard 1/4-20, none of this Arca plate BS please.

 

[Leigh]

As an alternative to the obvious (buying the column from Gitzo)...

Buy a piece of precision round stock of appropriate diameter and length, drill and tap a 1/4"-20 hole in one end, then install a stud held in place with Loktite.

Round stock is available in a wide variety of materials and sizes from McMaster-Carr at www.mcmaster.com
Start by specifying the desired material in the search box, then drill down. Select the "precision ground" finish as one of your first options.

- Leigh

 

[stephengilbert]

You might need a washer top and bottom to hold the drilled stock in the tripod. Does the tripod have a way to lock the center column in place?

I'd look at McMaster-Carr as well. They have an amazing selection of stuff, and ship the day you place your order.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Thanks, I think I need an odd 24mm diameter though, not a standard size they stock. Obviously on a freebie like this I don't want to invest any real money, I'm looking for a $20 solution ;-)

 

[Leigh]

Stephen is right.

I omitted some obviously necessary steps, such as a way to lock the column in position, and addition of retaining washers on the ends.

If you put a washer on the camera end of the column, you'll need to use one that's tapped 1/4"-20 since there's no nut to hold it in place.

On the other end you can use a regular bolt. I have a wide assortment of hardware (imperial, not metric). I'll send any small items you might need.

- Leigh

 

[Leigh]

Hi Frank,

We doubled.

Size isn't a problem. It would be easy to turn down 1" stock to 24mm. That's only ~0.055" off the diameter.

How long do you want it?

Does the tripod have a locking mechanism for the column? If so, how does it work?

- Leigh

 

[stephengilbert]

How about a long 1/4 - 20 bolt and a large flat washer? The bolt head and washer at the bottom, the tripod head acting as a nut at the top.

Is that cheap enough?

 

[Leigh]

Cheap enough but perhaps not strong enough.

And you need some way to hold the bolt centered in the tripod.

- Leigh

 

[stephengilbert]

"And you need some way to hold the bolt centered in the tripod."

A smaller washer or washers that fit inside the tripod?

 

[Frank Petronio]

Yes actually that could work really well since it is only a tube. If I got a bolt just an inch longer than the center tube I could stack nuts and washers to tight two larger washers on each end... leaving a stud for the head. A 3/8-16 x 7" bolt would do it. If I scuff up the top washer all the better.

I think I found a slew of $25 ballheads on eBay, unless someone has a cheap old tiny Gitzo ballhead just to be consistent....