Premium Members Cedric Martin Posted November 16, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 On a feature in Asheville (North Carolina). The socket block on my arm just snapped. Just emailed GPI for replacement but this might take a day... If anybody locally has a block or arm I could use, please call ASAP. Thanks! Cedric Martin (319) 998.7154 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Cedric Martin Posted November 18, 2015 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Quick update: GPI strikes again! Thank you Jack & Michelle for coming to the rescue. I made it through the day and got the part first thing in the morning today. Also, thank you to Ramon Engle for providing me with a spare arm while the part was being shipped. PS: The damaged part in the socket block assembly was the rod-end bearing (thanks Jack for clarifying). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Kyle Wullschleger Posted November 18, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 WK vest or pro vest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted November 19, 2015 Moderators Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Something to know about ALL arms. The weakest link is the rod end bearings. While I suspect they are more prone to break while using a back-mounted vest (added strain), I'd make a point to replace them every few years. Just replaced mine on my PRO arm (after more like a decade). Not because I had issues, but because it is the weakest link in the chain. I had one blow on my 3a arm years ago and I know others who have had them blow on various model arms over the years. Protect yourself and replace them from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jess Haas SOC Posted November 20, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Anyone know how much it would cost to carry some extra ones in the kit? Definitely seems to be the weak link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted November 20, 2015 Moderators Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Jess, they are not expensive, but its not something that you want to replace on set. While you can do it yourself (I did on my 3a arm), its easier to do it on a work bench in a clean no stress environment. Again, I think I will replace mine every 3-5 years from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jess Haas SOC Posted November 20, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 But when on location having the parts handy would be nice. Last year after my old arm broke up in Utah I ended up machining a new gimble handle on the tailgate of the camera truck with only a trip to harbour freight and a metal supply place. Compared to that changing out the rod end bearings on my new Pro arm seems easy :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Janice Arthur Posted November 20, 2015 Moderators Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Hi all; I don't know a bunch but I have lots of questions. 1) has anyone ever analysts these "old or broken" parts for fatigue? 2) are the old ones trashed or sold for resale? 3) how much you have in reserve in your kit says a lot about your level of work. 4) not many ops can have everything in reserve but a few parts to the tune of several thousands may make sense if the job is long and important enough. 5) at the very least the op would have a friend or two available to send him/her parts in a quick fed ex. 6) there are reasons why high dollar shoots and operators cost what they cost and have the gear they have. 7) those getting by on bare minimums can't afford anything let alone obvious gear and backups. 8) if you're fighting for your deal on a show that's part of how you justify your rate, PMs everywhere can see that in a deal. Use this in part of your discussion. Janice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Damian Church Posted November 20, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 Where's the best place to pick these up from, I have a 3A arm. Thank you, Damian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted November 21, 2015 Moderators Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Yes, Jess, having them in your overflow/backup case is not a bad idea. I also keep spare circuit breakers for the sled although that is something you'd rather not do "on-set" either. You are correct that you could do it at wrap, etc. I happen to own a Titan and an Atlas arm. If I did not, I would have considered having a spare arm (male) socket block and maybe even a spare elbow (although I've never heard of one breaking on a PRO arm). I already own 4 black springs, 4 blues, and 2 grays. I bought the rod end bearings for my 3a arm from CP (now Tiffen) back in the day. PRO ones from PRO (not sure if they are the same). For 3a ones now, I'd call Robert Luna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Jensen Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 I had one snap on set in a remote field outside of Budapest, Hungary a few weeks ago. Mud and rain. I replaced it with no problems on a camera cart. Was so glad I had a replacement with me. I remember packing for the trip and thought "well..just in case" and brought my two spares. Was up and running in less than 10 minutes. I will agree with Alec, change them out every few years. Inexpensive fix for a potentially big problem. Sean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERMO ASLAN Posted February 8, 2016 Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 Hi, I have a problem : ( 2 weeks ago my steadicam's arm broke up. I try to fix it. But any suggestion about it ? Thanks alot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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