Steadicam Flyer top post loose

[Michael Desiderio]

It seems that the metal ring at the top of our Flyer has gotten loose.

 

http://imgur.com/a/qj2Kj

 

 

Confirmed 100% to be that portion, as we removed the sled and could manipulate just the ring itself, it is shifting up and down and left to right slightly. Enough to present massive problems with tilting and running (any camera weight shifts backwards and forwards on tilts, and running just makes it bounce around)

 

It seems to be held into place with just 4 small metal shims that have been hammered into opposing sides

 

Could these have bent or gotten loose somehow? Outward appearances are nominal.

 

I can't see any other way to adjust this, and I can't see any real space that can be shimmed. Perhaps dabbing gorilla glue around the edges and praying it seeps in and expands?

 

Any thoughts?

 

 

[joe mcnally]

Hi Michael

Id say your right

The pins may have come loose

Id take the whole round top bit off and examine it. The holes may have expanded over time.

You might have to saw and inch off the post then drill new holes for the pins.

If youre lucky it may be that one or two of the pins have just come loose and could be tapped back in ?

Where are you based ? Theres Brian Busby in UK who I'm sure would be able to do a great repair on that if needed

 

Hope that helps.

Joe

[Peter Abraham]

Unlikely the stainless steel pins themselves are "loose". Likely the holes made to accommodate those pins have opened slightly over time. Ignore those pins- drilling them out will make a mess and require even larger pins.

 

Find a machinist who can duplicate the pin array, without interfering with the current pins. Have fresh holes drilled, and new pins pounded into place. It'll hold for another 8 years.

 

OR, you can slice off the top and then go through the process of making and centering a new top docking dish. That's harsh, because the stage mounts to that disk. A very good machinist can center all holes and do it.

 

I just think that new pins will achieve the same end for much less hassle and cost.

 

What generation Flyer is this? Non-telescoping? Red or black handle?

 

Best to all,

 

Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

[Michael Desiderio]

Unlikely the stainless steel pins themselves are "loose". Likely the holes made to accommodate those pins have opened slightly over time. Ignore those pins- drilling them out will make a mess and require even larger pins.

 

Find a machinist who can duplicate the pin array, without interfering with the current pins. Have fresh holes drilled, and new pins pounded into place. It'll hold for another 8 years.

 

OR, you can slice off the top and then go through the process of making and centering a new top docking dish. That's harsh, because the stage mounts to that disk. A very good machinist can center all holes and do it.

 

I just think that new pins will achieve the same end for much less hassle and cost.

 

What generation Flyer is this? Non-telescoping? Red or black handle?

 

Best to all,

 

Peter Abraham, S.O.C.

 

Hey Peter, this is Kyle's first gen Flyer. New development with this rocking.....

 

I don't suppose we could tap another larger pin straight through the existing pins instead?

 

When you say duplicate the pin array, you mean to have new pin holes and pins inserted to the sides of the existing ones (leaving them in place)?

 

Thanks!