I have a smallrig L bracket and I seem to have lost the little flat sheetmetal screwdriver that is magnetically held in the base. It's really a convenient little thing. I'm bummed smallrig doesn't seem to sell a replacement. Has anyone bought something similar elsewhere? I see AliExpress has a Smallrig kit of some kind or another that includes this part, but it's still disappointing that they don't sell the flat screwdriver just on its own. I don't necessarily mind paying the $15-$20 for the kit, but if I was going to pay that much it would be nice to get a whole bunch more of them to account for future losses.
i would try to contact smallrig direct if you'd want a small bunch.
i find it a rather large logic hole that they use Allen screw to hold that setup to a cage as they should have just made all the screws Allen like the rest of the makers, and the screwdriver is being held in place out in the open by a magnet no less.
i'd be looking for a small flat tip that goes on your keyring or somewhere else that is a bit more secure thats easy to get at.
i have multiple brackets that come allen wrenches that magnetically attach to the frame in a certain location. they are the first thing removed from the bracket in use.
You can make one yourself with a washer and Dremel tool. Smallrig used to have one on their website and I'm confident they have them if you email them.
And if the above suggestions fail, go to a local machine shop and show and tell them what you need, that should be something they would be happy to make up for you!
I have the same bracket, let me see if I can just make one up for you off mine as a template!
Karl
sjms wrote:
i have multiple brackets that come allen wrenches that magnetically attach to the frame in a certain location. they are the first thing removed from the bracket in use.
Actually, as annoying as it would seem, the flat key screwdriver is actually pretty good. It stays pretty firmly in place and I'm a little surprised I lost it considering it's held out as long as it has.
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Karl Witt wrote:
And if the above suggestions fail, go to a local machine shop and show and tell them what you need, that should be something they would be happy to make up for you!
I have the same bracket, let me see if I can just make one up for you off mine as a template!
Karl
Thanks, I might have to do this considering how hard to acquire it is. If I get another one, I will definitely sketch out a dimensional drawing. I used to work in a machine shop that had a sheetmetal laser, so if this would have happened 2 years ago, I'd have 100 copies sitting on my desk and offering to send them out to others!
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As others have suggested, I think reaching out to Smallrig is my best bet here. Thanks, and I'm open to purchasing one if someone else ends up coming through with another source!
Actually, as annoying as it would seem, the flat key screwdriver is actually pretty good. It stays pretty firmly in place and I'm a little surprised I lost it considering it's held out as long as it has.
everyone has their opinion. one personally i would not agree with. if i had that bracket those slot screws would have been replaced immediately.
amacal1 wrote:
Actually, as annoying as it would seem, the flat key screwdriver is actually pretty good. It stays pretty firmly in place and I'm a little surprised I lost it considering it's held out as long as it has.
I'm not at all surprised. I find it strangely hard to get perfectly back in place -- straight and with the one side properly in the groove. Until you get a new one (hopefully Smallrig will come through) just carry a small coin on you at all times to adjust the L part!
I'm curious what you think of it overall. I recently bought one and it seems fine but also a bit of an imprecise to the base of the A1 with a few edges not quite flush while others are. Then again, at about a third the price of the RRS option I guess I can't complain
Karl Witt wrote:
And if the above suggestions fail, go to a local machine shop and show and tell them what you need, that should be something they would be happy to make up for you!
I have the same bracket, let me see if I can just make one up for you off mine as a template!
Karl
You will have to find a 1 to 4 man shop as they will have to break into production, that isn’t happening. You must have a neighbor that has a table top grinder, grab it with vise grips and grind away!
wordfool wrote:
I'm curious what you think of it overall. I recently bought one and it seems fine but also a bit of an imprecise to the base of the A1 with a few edges not quite flush while others are. Then again, at about a third the price of the RRS option I guess I can't complain
I just picked up the version for the R5/R6. I needed something simple with an Arca groove for my tripod head. For the price, it's great, but there is a slight amount of flex, particularly the removable L part for verticals. I'm not yet sure if this detail will negatively affect any of my uses. On the positive side, the slight extension it adds to the height of the camera gives my pinky somewhere to sit.
Cool gadget…I like that it’s Int’l security friendly. Also, do a search for Craftsman 4 Way keychain screwdriver or knockoff. I always have them attached to my bags.
i'll say it again, those two slot type screws need to be replaced with Allen head type. reducing the need for non standard nuts and bolts.
the people who designed that interesting L bracket already have Allen screws on it. talk about the lack of forethought and carry through in basic design.
but then had it been machined with a better design you wouldn't even need those screws to begin with.
i'll say it again, those two slot type screws need to be replaced with Allen head type. reducing the need for non standard nuts and bolts.
the people who designed that interesting L bracket already have Allen screws on it. talk about the lack of forethought and carry through in basic design.
bur then had it been machined with a better design you wouldn't even need those screws to begin with.
Used the P38 in the Army when we still had c-rations prior to getting MRE's. Not something I want in my pocket
Been carrying one for a whole lot of years. A useful tool. And I wasn’t even in the army. Opened a lot of things with it.
i think your issue might have been more of an environmental thing and possibly what was in what you were opening. though not in the military i have had my share of its cuisine available from boxes to bags. not everything today is in a pull top can around the world. Available in a larger size too
sjms wrote:
Been carrying one for a whole lot of years. A useful tool. And I wasn’t even in the army. Opened a lot of things with it.
i think your issue might have been more of an environmental thing and possibly what was in what you were opening. though not in the military i have had my share of its cuisine available from boxes to bags. not everything today is in a pull top can around the world. Available in a larger size too
Nah, my issue is that blade can get stuck in the open position and dig into you. Still have mine from the military as well as a larger one I keep in my vehicle. It is a great tool.
