Premium Members Elliott Yancey Posted April 30, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 HELP! I was working on an indie shoot this morning, flying a Varicam with my EFP when the vest snapped and the sled crashed to the ground. I was able to catch the camera before any damage was done, but I was wrapped for the day. The vest broke on the adjustable plate just above the plate the socket block is connected to. I was just curious if this is common on EFP vests or if I have a special case. Also, can someone recommend an affordable replacement vest or other option? (i.e. replacement parts, etc.) Thanks, Elliott Yancey Atlanta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brant S. Fagan SOC Posted April 30, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Elliott-- For spare parts like that EFP Vest Spar, you should contact Derrick Whitehouse as he had purchased a large stock from the old Cinema Products company some years back. He is a member of this Forum and can be reached through his profile. If Derrick is unable to help (rare indeed) give me a call 603-826-3445 or email at firebrand@fmis.net as I may be able to get that part rebuilt for you. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A. Wolf Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Elliott: I have a spare EFP vest you can borrow until yours is repaired, if you like. David Wolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Elliott Yancey Posted April 30, 2007 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 WOW! What fast responses! Thanks guys. I took the vest to a machine shop here in town and they will have it fixed TODAY! (Rome Machine and Foundry) They are going to machine a whole new part for me and have it done in about 5 hours. Problem averted. I was really curious if this is a regular problem for the EFP vest or if I have a special case. The rig is 20+ years old and aluminum fatigue is to be expected. If this is a design/age issue then I am not the only one that will encounter this problem. Elliott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jerry Holway Posted April 30, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Elliot- The EFP vest is not designed to handle heavy loads, and if any of the screws holding the rails get loose, it's even less strong. Over the years, a lot of EFP rails have snapped, and we've all seen the vest spar bending under big loads. Have your machine shop work up something thicker (1/4" aluminum), even it if means little or no adjustment... If they just remake the part and you have the same loads, it will either bend or break again. You could also bolt another plate to the back of the spar. Just make it thicker! BTW, the bending of the vest spar means you have to do a lot more work to fly the rig, even if it does not break. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jason Torbitt Posted April 30, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 FYI I think Derrick is away at the moment on holiday, I bought some equipment from him and he mentioned he would be away for a few weeks and his office would be closed, so this might explain if he is slow to reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rob Vuona SOC Posted May 1, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 HELP! I was working on an indie shoot this morning, flying a Varicam with my EFP when the vest snapped and the sled crashed to the ground. I was able to catch the camera before any damage was done, but I was wrapped for the day. The vest broke on the adjustable plate just above the plate the socket block is connected to. I was just curious if this is common on EFP vests or if I have a special case. Also, can someone recommend an affordable replacement vest or other option? (i.e. replacement parts, etc.) Thanks, Elliott Yancey Atlanta ----------------------- I had this conversation with George Paddock and he gave me all the spots were his EFP and others have broken and or will break and yours was not and will not be the only one, acording to him . . . .I hope mine doesn't do that . . . . .yikes . . . .Jerry do you think I should reinforce my EFP vest there as well, even if I have never had a problem with it? Thanks for the heads up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Elliott Yancey Posted May 1, 2007 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 I am curious, what other points did George say were weak or potential trouble spots with the EFP vest, arm and/or sled? Any fixes? Any spare parts I should have handy? Thanks, Elliott P.S. What a pleasure to converse with Jerry Holway as a young operator (22) trying to learn as much as I can about this business! Thanks Jerry for your time and input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rob Vuona SOC Posted May 1, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 I am curious, what other points did George say were weak or potential trouble spots with the EFP vest, arm and/or sled? Any fixes? Any spare parts I should have handy? Thanks, Elliott P.S. What a pleasure to converse with Jerry Holway as a young operator (22) trying to learn as much as I can about this business! Thanks Jerry for your time and input. --------------------------------- George, also said the vest leather will eventually give way at the crimp in the (L) connection shoulder, the velcro will eventually fail all around, the nylon straps will eventually ware through at the spot where the connect to the spare. Also, my rig and a friend of mine had a catastrophic failure where the bottom post connects to the bottom of the sled at the brains, the aluminum actually cracked. Mine failed during a live show and I quick fixed it with giant zip ties to keep the bottom of the sled attached, borrowed a sled from a friend by noon that day and Tiffen actually had two of the bottom sections left and a week later she was all better again. (With the acception of the custom wiring that had to be done again) All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Andre Trudel Posted May 2, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 My efp vest spar is permanently bent now as well. Dose anyone know of a good machine shop and machinist in the LA or Orange county area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Elliott Yancey Posted May 3, 2007 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 My efp vest spar is permanently bent now as well. Dose anyone know of a good machine shop and machinist in the LA or Orange county area? I am in Georgia, but I could have a replacement part made out of thicker (1/4") aluminum for $500 if you want. I picked mine up the other day and was very happy with the results. $500 is a lot of money but it was worth it to me to have it done fast and done right after mine snapped to get me working again. Elliott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles King Posted September 19, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 (edited) My efp vest spar is permanently bent now as well. Dose anyone know of a good machine shop and machinist in the LA or Orange county area? I am in Georgia, but I could have a replacement part made out of thicker (1/4") aluminum for $500 if you want. I picked mine up the other day and was very happy with the results. $500 is a lot of money but it was worth it to me to have it done fast and done right after mine snapped to get me working again. Elliott I know this is a very old post but just wanted to say, I am working on starting a business doing such modifications for older system vest, especially for the EFP Vest(amoung other systems)...you can see this post here: http://www.steadicamforum.com/forums/index...?showtopic=4219 So I totally understand your plight. Edited September 19, 2008 by Charles King Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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