Elliot Gabor Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 I own a steadicam merlin with vest/arm. I use it at or close too it's full weight capacity. The problem I'm having is that the glue that is holding the velcro strips onto the plastic chest frame is not strong anymore and separates from the frame. This is especially true when using it outdoors in the heat. Yes, I could purchase more velcro strips or just gaff tape the whole thing but I wanted to see if there is a preffered solution to this problem that I've heard of others experiencing. I would rather not use gaff tape as it looks a little "custom" and I don't want to to have to maintain it every few jobs. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 6, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 I see no one's weighed in yet. I'm not familiar with the Pilot vest, but I'll offer some general suggestions: 1. Start with Tiffen. Is your rig still under warranty? Even if not, a discussion with them may yield at least some good ideas. Peter Abraham or Dan Ikeda are great Tiffen resources. Keep in mind the Pilot is part of their "prosumer" lightweight offerings and is simply not built as rugged as professional vests. It may be simply "worn out" and in need of replacement, from their perspective. 2. Forum member and veteran op Janice Arthur does a variety of vest repairs. Contact her and see what she can do. 3. Find a local tent-and-awning fabricator and take the vest to them. They will have heavy-duty sewing machines, riveting machines, etc. and probably the expertise to repair it. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot Gabor Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I see no one's weighed in yet. I'm not familiar with the Pilot vest, but I'll offer some general suggestions: 1. Start with Tiffen. Is your rig still under warranty? Even if not, a discussion with them may yield at least some good ideas. Peter Abraham or Dan Ikeda are great Tiffen resources. Keep in mind the Pilot is part of their "prosumer" lightweight offerings and is simply not built as rugged as professional vests. It may be simply "worn out" and in need of replacement, from their perspective. 2. Forum member and veteran op Janice Arthur does a variety of vest repairs. Contact her and see what she can do. 3. Find a local tent-and-awning fabricator and take the vest to them. They will have heavy-duty sewing machines, riveting machines, etc. and probably the expertise to repair it. Good luck! Thanks for the advice. I would rather not have to ship it back to tiffen. I think that part of the design just isn't great so I can see it happening again even if I send it back to them. For now I'll just repair it by super gluing the velcro down to the plastic frame...hopefully I won't have to reapply too often. I like the heavy duty sewing machine or riveting idea as a more permanent solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 7, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 Just call Tiffen/Steadicam in Glendale and talk to them. They may be able to suggest an effective fix you can do yourself. You said others have had the same problem, so Tiffen has probably heard about it, and may have improved the design since yours. If so, they may have a solution. If they haven't heard about it, you will be doing them a favor by letting them know. You've got nothing to lose. I've gone to tent and awning companies with busted nylon camera bags and lighting kit bags and they've fixed them for me for just a few bucks...in some cases free. I am skeptical that superglue is going to work well on the fabric straps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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