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Archer 2 top stage - problem with locking mechanism


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Having problems with a brand new Archer 2 top-stage. Sometimes when I lock the camera onto the stage, I can still slide the camera using a little force. I then have to tighten the little screw which is on the locking clamp on the stage. (Red circle in the picture)

 

Anybody know how to fix this? Thought about lock-tite, but unsure if that's a good idea...

post-1310-0-18284200-1399712607_thumb.jpg

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I had that issue when I first got my Archer 2 three years ago. I just tightened the screw and haven't had a problem with it since. Does yours keep working itself loose? I don't know any reason why Lock-Tite wouldn't solve your problem, or at least give peace of mind for the future. I would use the purple kind as I think it's not as strong. That way if you ever need to rework the screw, you can.

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Hello Lars,

 

You might wanna add a shim into your dovetail clamp mechanism to achieve a firmer lock on your dovetail. in order to do so remove those screws, and remove the triangle part of your clamp. use this part as a stencil and have a machinist made a thin shim. put all together and place the shim here.

 

and you are good to go!

 

post-11013-0-40671200-1399732831_thumb.jpg

 

fly safe.

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Lars-

 

no problem adding a touch of NON-Permanent Locktite to those threads to keep the screw from coming loose. If that fixes the sliding plate issue, then you don't need the additional fix that Evrim correctly suggests.

 

Quick fix for an undersized dovetail plate: add a layer of thin tape to the bottom contacting surface of the plate or the stage.

 

If you need the "Evrim fix," you may be able to get a thicker shim directly from Tiffen

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Lars-

 

no problem adding a touch of NON-Permanent Locktite to those threads to keep the screw from coming loose. If that fixes the sliding plate issue, then you don't need the additional fix that Evrim correctly suggests.

 

Quick fix for an undersized dovetail plate: add a layer of thin tape to the bottom contacting surface of the plate or the stage.

 

If you need the "Evrim fix," you may be able to get a thicker shim directly from Tiffen

 

hahaha. "EVRIM FIX"! Can this be the official name from now on? :P

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I have run into the same problem, but even after tightening the screw I'm not confident in the grip. It doesn't take much force to unlock the lever, and the same to lock it in place. I'll check with Tiffen for a thicker shim. Good suggestion from Evrim though.

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Hmmm. It seems that several ops have this problem. Pardon me if I don't completely understand why this is happening, but since it seems to be an issue that's been around for a while, why haven't Tiffen solved it?

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I had optical support machine flat a section of the lever on my Archer 1 rig (same topstage) to fix this, worked like a dream, took a bit of effort to unlock the lever though but I didn't mind that.

 

Will see if I can find a close up picture that shows it.

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After they did this you actually felt a positive click as it engaged into place and the lever rotated onto the flat section, never had the lever work loose or refuse to clamp down onto a dovetail properly since, no shims required.

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