p.1 #1 · Gitzo monopod question: asked and answered
Hello,
I bought a Gitzo 1563 Mk II monopod off ebay - it's really nice.
However, it has a 3/8 stud - I thought these were reversible? I gently tried to unscrew it, but it is solid. I don't see anything that looks like it would move.
So - for those that have experience with this model, is the stud fixed? What's the best way to find out without screwing it up? It's in great shape now.
p.1 #2 · Gitzo monopod question: asked and answered
They do have reversible studs, but they're a little tough to get at. I know I flipped mine a few years ago (I have a 1564L) but just went to do it again and it's too tight together for me to do by hand. The reversible stud holds the whole top of the tripod together, the platform and wrist strap thread onto it, so you need to unscrew the platform and pull off the wrist strap in order to unscrew the stud. If yours is too tight to do by hand, you can employ a strap wrench to try to take it off. Then unscrew the stud and flip it over(again, if this is too tight, you can get two 3/8-16 thread nuts, screw them together onto the stud, then use a hex wrench to loosen the stud).
p.1 #3 · Gitzo monopod question: asked and answered
My GM2541 has a hex head screw on the top of the disc that holds the disc in place. If you have this type of locking screw use a metric hex wrench to loosen this set screw.
If you don't have a set screw my guess is its just tight / stuck. As elschafer noted, use a strap wrench on any other technique you use to get stuck jar lids removed.
If you go to the Gitzo web site, look under "spare parts" and input "G1564" you will get a PDF diagram of what I think yours looks like (it's the closest number to your I saw there). This might help you understand what you are working with.
