Arca Cube Help

[RodK]

Wow. Your manual says it's adjustable, but it isn't. Now you're blaming the customer?
Why does your manual and advertisements say it's adjustable (and is 1mm too large to consider an adjustment)? Why won't the nut turn? Is that my fault for trying to do something your manual says you can do?
Weird response...

It should have been moveable(adjustable). But 1 mm wider is an adjustment.
As said above, the head was adjusted for our plates. It should be easily adjustable after squeezing the sides of the clamp together. See the video on my site rodklukas.com.
I appologize if it appears to be stuck. Not our usual delivery.
I will say, that the 8501003.1 with the knob is best for those with mixed manufacturers plates. Please contact me or Precision Camera Works for follow up. I am available most times or will get back quickly if not.
Best regards,
Rod

 

[Dustbak]

Since there are some Arca people here anyway,how about making the bottom 75mm round so the Cube can be fitted directly into the hole/legs of most tripods, replacing the base plate? RRS and Gitzo tripods take 75mm bases. I am not sure whether the RRS base plates like one or more bolts in the side to secure the plate.

 

[Bill Caulfeild-Browne]

Well, I hate to be the dissenting voice, but my Cube and its clamp has worked perfectly since Day One. Just try to pry it out of my cold, dead hands!
Bill

 

[rga]

It should have been moveable(adjustable). But 1 mm wider is an adjustment.
As said above, the head was adjusted for our plates. It should be easily adjustable after squeezing the sides of the clamp together. See the video on my site rodklukas.com.
I appologize if it appears to be stuck. Not our usual delivery.
I will say, that the 8501003.1 with the knob is best for those with mixed manufacturers plates. Please contact me or Precision Camera Works for follow up. I am available most times or will get back quickly if not.
Best regards,
Rod

Thanks Rod. I appreciate your concern very much.
The wheel really doesn't move; I have a bloody index finger and chewed up wooden spoon as evidence!

The clamp, at half closed, is snug enough to hold the camera bracket without slippage. The clamp also closes completely without applying force. If this is OK and won't cause an "explosion" (what does that mean, specifically: will the cube fall apart? The clamp? Is there something I should do or not do to avoid this?) then I am fine with it.

My concern is now I'm out of town and have only this new piece of equipment to use on the tripod. Is it going to unexpectedly fail and cause an equipment free fall?

Thanks for any assistance. I bought this from B&H so I don't know how precision camera ties in.
Best,
Bob

 

[GrahamWelland]

Well, I hate to be the dissenting voice, but my Cube and its clamp has worked perfectly since Day One. Just try to pry it out of my cold, dead hands!
Bill

Ditto. Once I tensioned up my clamp properly it has been perfect. (as Wayne mentioned though, don't have the clamp too loose because you will eventually have the camera sneak its way out - expensively!)

 

[GrahamWelland]

The clamp, at half closed, is snug enough to hold the camera bracket without slippage. The clamp also closes completely without applying force. If this is OK and won't cause an "explosion" (what does that mean, specifically: will the cube fall apart? The clamp? Is there something I should do or not do to avoid this?) then I am fine with it.

Bob,

The 'explosion' occurs when you loosen the adjuster and the spring pops all of the washers off - normally when you least want it to! It can also happen if you leave the clamp undone when transporting the tripod/head in the trunk. It hasn't happened to me but I know of others who have had it happen. Just remember to close it when you put the tripod in the car.

Also, consider maybe also getting something like an Optech wide/medium snoot boot - perfect cover for the cube.

 

[rga]

Thanks Graham, Ken and Bill. I'm keeping a plate clamped in while transporting. Also, as the wheel is unturnable, perhaps there is a silver cloud in that the tension won't change.
Thanks all for your very kind assistance,
Bob

 

[RodK]

Thanks Rod. I appreciate your concern very much.
The wheel really doesn't move; I have a bloody index finger and chewed up wooden spoon as evidence!

The clamp, at half closed, is snug enough to hold the camera bracket without slippage. The clamp also closes completely without applying force. If this is OK and won't cause an "explosion" (what does that mean, specifically: will the cube fall apart? The clamp? Is there something I should do or not do to avoid this?) then I am fine with it.

My concern is now I'm out of town and have only this new piece of equipment to use on the tripod. Is it going to unexpectedly fail and cause an equipment free fall?

Thanks for any assistance. I bought this from B&H so I don't know how precision camera ties in.
Best,
Bob

Bob,
An explosion means if the clamp is over loosened, the springs which push the jaws open, could expand when the knurled ring loses thread and make the clamp come apart and having small parts adrift. It is important to make small adjustments when adjusting, such as 1/4 turn at a time.
Otherwise should be good for now.
Precision Camera Works is the North American Repair and Warranty station for Arca-Swiss.
They are located in Niles, IL. They have a website with instructions and contact info.
Again, very sorry for this problem.
Rod

 

[rga]

Thank you Rod. I really appreciate you stepping in here and providing guidance and alternatives. I will contact you off list if I need further help.
Again many thanks,
Bob

 

[Wayne Fox]

Well, I hate to be the dissenting voice, but my Cube and its clamp has worked perfectly since Day One. Just try to pry it out of my cold, dead hands!
Bill

+1. I put the RRS clamp on it for a couple of days, and put the arca back on. I like the double feature, I'm used to it and I don't like how long the RRS one is.

 

[jotloob]

Well, I hate to be the dissenting voice, but my Cube and its clamp has worked perfectly since Day One. Just try to pry it out of my cold, dead hands!
Bill

I can only confirm Bills statement .
I have the CUBE , first version , and never had any trouble since .
The same is valid for the clamp with my D4 .

 

[RodK]

Hey guys was rereading and noticed I said Video in reference to adjusting the Fliplock. Sorry! It is actually an illustrated picture sequence to show how the adjustment is accomplished.
Here is the direct link:

http://rodklukas.com/resources/Arca-Swiss_Fliplock-Adjustment.pdf

Hope this helps.
Rod

 

[kdphotography]

Thank you, Rod.

I actually think the pdf with illustrations is much better than a video would be.

ken

 

[jotloob]

Thank you Rod for the illustration .

I do love the ARCA Fliplock and don't want to miss it .
I never had any trouble with it . I find the handling easy and safe .

Have nice Easterdays with hopefully better weather than we have here .

 

[rga]

Thanks Rod. Unfortunately the wheel still doesn't turn. However, since I don't need to slide the camera using the half opened feature, I think I'm OK. As I said before when it's half open the camera doesn't slide.

My only question, if the clamp is that tight half open, will there be a problem with the clamp being even tighter when fully clamped.

Again, many thanks,
Bob