There has only been a US dealer for a couple of years I would guess. Prior to that time, you had to get them from the manufacturer in Taiwan or on ebay.
Dennis Dietz wrote:
Best epoxy I know is West System epoxy. You should be able to get it from any major woodworking store (Woodcraft, Woodworkers warehouse, boat-building supply- boatbuilders use the stuff a lot).
If there are any boat-builders in your area or places where professional furniture makers congregate, stop in and ask to buy a few ounces from them. Take two of your own, clean glass jars with lids. As them to double check the mixing ratio for the particular epoxy you get. That's really your best and fastest bet w/o spending $40 on a bunch of epoxy you won't use the majority of....Show more →
Have you had a chance to compare it to 3M Scotch Weld? I have the task of bonding a lot of metal to fiberglass and carbon fiber, and this is about the most UV and corrosive fluid resistant I've found so far. Thanks in advance.
I used JB weld (regular version) to reattach the leg before my trip. It held up well until the last few days and then came off again. Fortunately I was still able to use the tripod, I just had to be very careful with it. Good thing too, as I needed it to take 1 min exposures of the active Arenal volcano's lava flow at night.
When I returned from the trip I contacted the Feisol thru feisol.net (US office) about the situation. I had to pay shipping to send it to them, but they fixed it and returned it to me at no cost. It appears to be solid again, hopefully it will last longer than my repair job.
To Feisol's credit they also addressed and fixed a few other issues I was having:
1) Lost Rubber Feet - they gave me 3 new ones
2) Leg Segments Hard to Open/Close - they took them all apart, cleaned out the sand/dirt, and replaced the plastic locking rings inside the legs (and reminded me to do a better job of wiping off the sand before closing the legs in the future)
3) Reducer Bushing - I asked for another bushing that reduces the thread size on my center column so I could attach the hook. Instead they gave me a whole new plate that screws into the bottom of the center column and a new hook, so I don't need to use reducer bushings anymore.
Needless to say, Feisol customer service is awesome! I've had similar good experiences with their main office in Tawain (guy named Orion). At this point I'm still a happy Feisol customer and would buy their products again. Anyone wanna buy a used CT-3442 so I can get the newer ALR version?
I have to say that this thread convinced me to go bankrupt on a Gitzo locally, I just can't afford messing with intl' shipping and legs falling off. shame because the Ct-3442 was a strong contender for an all around tripod at half the Gitzo price.
kuden wrote:
I have to say that this thread convinced me to go bankrupt on a Gitzo locally, I just can't afford messing with intl' shipping and legs falling off. shame because the Ct-3442 was a strong contender for an all around tripod at half the Gitzo price.
I hear ya. But note that others have also had legs fall off with their Gitzo (google search). Plus Feisol now has a US based office that handles sales and repairs, which is where I sent mine.
ekimzulad wrote:
I hear ya. But note that others have also had legs fall off with their Gitzo (google search). Plus Feisol now has a US based office that handles sales and repairs, which is where I sent mine.
Yeah, it's more about the warranty than anything, not being in the US means i don't have quick access to warranty for neither Benro or Feisol, and no spare parts either since they don't sell them in any brick and mortar shop here. I can buy only Gitzo and Manfrotto and some Sliks from a local authorized distributor.
I would have loved getting a tripod for 300$, most of my equipment is without warranty (being second hand or ebay purchase), but shipping intl' for repair is out of the question sadly.
mrogers wrote:
Call Feisol USA, they probably would like to see the failure for QC.
This points up what I'm liking about China made products or their manufacturers. -they seem ever ready to improve the product rather than just rake in cash and rest on their laurels.
kuden wrote:
I have to say that this thread convinced me to go bankrupt on a Gitzo locally, I just can't afford messing with intl' shipping and legs falling off. shame because the Ct-3442 was a strong contender for an all around tripod at half the Gitzo price.
Except there IS a US dealer. (Really Big Cameras)
ekimzulad didn't buy from them, hence his problem.
ekimzulad didn't buy from them, hence his problem.
not IS, but, ARE more than one dealer with Feisol USA also takeing care of warranty issues and direct contact with the Home Office in Asia...good stuff, I've been pounding mine on the beach, probably one of the worst enviroments to shoot in for wear and tear on equipment and have Never had a problem with my Feisol Legs, and that centering colume, set up is so easy and fast....... it lines up on the horizon so well I can actually lock my collar. Did I mention that I had two Gitzos fall apart on me.....the centerpost mount/plate for the head delamenated and my camera fell...not once, but, twice.....and then a leg let go....I still have a replacement center colume for the 1327 if anyone wants my garbage.....
