Markins Q3T locked up

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Zichar
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p.1 #1 · Markins Q3T locked up

My search-fu is weak, am pretty sure I'm not the only one experiencing this problem.

Well, sometimes the ballhead gets a dunk in the water (when I'm cleaning the tripod legs or just out in the field) and then the ballhead just locks up. And locks up really bad. Try as I might, I can't dislodge it.

All I've learnt is I just gotta wait it out. Was desperate once, and wrapped/wound the top with rolls of cloth then hammered it on the floor. Managed to dislodge it. Is there something I can do to avoid this?

Anyway I'm guessing it's some kinda vacuum, or when the water seeps through and creates a seal of sorts?
I can't replicate it at will, just happens randomly, under conditions that involve no temperature fluctuations.

Nov 27, 2012 at 04:34 PM

sjms
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p.1 #2 · Markins Q3T locked up

When you say dunked in water is that salt or fresh?

Nov 27, 2012 at 11:54 PM

dcains
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p.1 #3 · Markins Q3T locked up

Zichar wrote:
. Is there something I can do to avoid this?

quote]

I don't think this ballhead, or really any other, was designed to be submerged. Sorry, though, for not having a better reply.

Nov 28, 2012 at 09:13 AM

Zichar
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p.1 #4 · Markins Q3T locked up

A mixture, fresh when I'm cleaning it, salt when I'm shooting at the shore
Was thinking if gunk from my hands transferred to the surface of the ballhead, the water dissolves that (or makes some kinda disgusting slurry) and gums up the head. Possible? It works fine now though, still smooth.

Nov 28, 2012 at 10:20 AM

sjms
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p.1 #5 · Markins Q3T locked up

Zichar wrote:
A mixture, fresh when I'm cleaning it, salt when I'm shooting at the shore
Was thinking if gunk from my hands transferred to the surface of the ballhead, the water dissolves that (or makes some kinda disgusting slurry) and gums up the head. Possible? It works fine now though, still smooth.

if you have any contaminants inside the ballhead where it is well greased you may have internal issues coming. these were not designed for excessive contact with "slurry" and such. if you are going to use this in direct saltwater contact you better learn to access it more thoroughly. you may have an issue in the making.

Edited on Nov 28, 2012 at 01:51 PM · View previous versions

Nov 28, 2012 at 12:23 PM

Zichar
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p.1 #6 · Markins Q3T locked up

Understood. Guess I better go read up on the other threads about ballhead maintenance. Thanks!

Nov 28, 2012 at 01:20 PM

dcains
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p.1 #7 · Markins Q3T locked up

You might try an Acratech ballhead, as its open design will be a good deal easier to clean.

Nov 28, 2012 at 01:45 PM

eSchwab
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p.1 #8 · Markins Q3T locked up

I wonder if you couldn't take it off the tripod and soak it in alcohol. Moving it around occasionally to loosen up and free any salt or grease buildup.

Nov 28, 2012 at 01:50 PM

sjms
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p.1 #9 · Markins Q3T locked up

eSchwab wrote:
I wonder if you couldn't take it off the tripod and soak it in alcohol. Moving it around occasionally to loosen up and free any salt or grease buildup.

and then dilute/strip the grease that is inside the head (the stuff that actually keeps things moving inside. you do want to keep that in its original working state unless you like doing repacks.

i'm not a real fan of Acratech but dcains option may be a more appropriate and prudent approach and the least labor intensive.

Nov 28, 2012 at 01:52 PM

peter_n
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p.1 #10 · Markins Q3T locked up

FWIW here are the maintenance/cleaning instructions from the manual:

Nov 28, 2012 at 04:48 PM

sjms
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p.1 #11 · Markins Q3T locked up

I have a feeling we're beyond the basic situation

Nov 28, 2012 at 08:06 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #12 · Markins Q3T locked up

Yeah. The whole head should be broken down, cleaned, and relubed.

EBH

Nov 29, 2012 at 01:39 AM

Zichar
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p.1 #13 · Markins Q3T locked up

Hmm I was about to go the WD40 route. I didn't know it can be dismantled to be cleaned and relubed.
Lest anyone thinks I'm eating Cheetos then grabbing the ballhead to smear the orangey leftovers around, then drop it in a pail of water to age, I'm not

A large wave at the rocks (I wade in if it's safe), barring the odd drop into the sea (twice so far I think after 4 years now) or after shooting when I'm rinsing the tripod legs, the ballhead will come into contact with water. I pair it with the Gitzo 1541T so perhaps the 'resting' position leaves it exposed more than I should.

Nov 29, 2012 at 02:02 AM

Bruce Sawle
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p.1 #14 · Markins Q3T locked up

This happened to me you just have to clean the contaminates out. I did this by cleaning the ball as I forced the ball around its axes.

Nov 29, 2012 at 02:13 AM

polylepis
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p.1 #15 · Markins Q3T locked up

WD-40 worked great when my Markins got wet--a few spritzes, move it around and Bob's your uncle.

Nov 30, 2012 at 05:13 AM

kimloris
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p.1 #16 · Markins Q3T locked up

So glad I read this thread...
Mine is grippy since a last trip to the beach.

Dec 14, 2012 at 03:11 AM

tanglefoot47
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p.1 #17 · Markins Q3T locked up

sjms wrote:
eSchwab wrote:
I wonder if you couldn't take it off the tripod and soak it in alcohol. Moving it around occasionally to loosen up and free any salt or grease buildup.

and then dilute/strip the grease that is inside the head (the stuff that actually keeps things moving inside. you do want to keep that in its original working state unless you like doing repacks.

i'm not a real fan of Acratech but dcains option may be a more appropriate and prudent approach and the least labor intensive.

Wondering why your not a big fan? I have been thinking of buying the GV2

Mike

Jan 01, 2013 at 08:12 PM

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