Help with Leofoto 364-C carbon tripod

[mpk1996]

I am trying to remove the legs on this tripod and not having much luck. there are 2 6mm allen key bolts that thread into a sleeve that is in the base. The problem is that once one is loose and removed, the sleeve spins and I cannot get the other bolt out. The sleeve is also a larger diameter than the hole in the leg "U" that the 6mm allen goes through. So, I cannot just push the sleeve and bolt out.

I have tried another longer bolt with a nut to tighten back up against the sleeve and heating the sleeve (to help with the thread locker they have on it) all with no luck. The other 6mm bolt wont come out. this is happening will all of the legs, so its not just one hard bolt that I can't get out.

There are no slots in the sleeve to insert a screw driver or a hole anywhere on the base to insert something to stop the rotation. I was halfway considering drilling a hole through the aluminum base and sleeve, then using an allen key to pin it in place, but I really don't want to drill it if I don't have to.

I am trying to take them off so that I can mount them on the new RRS anvil-30 base with apex conversion.

Has anyone successfully removed their legs from a Leofoto tripod?

 

[st1650]

Bump. Interested as well. Bought the Anvil head and waiting to buy the legs to see what works best

 

[newguy2k3v2]

I don't have my 364 with me but I don't suppose you could drill out the bolt that won't break free? You could drill it from the side that did come loose so you'll have a good guide.

 

[mpk1996]

I don't have my 364 with me but I don't suppose you could drill out the bolt that won't break free? You could drill it from the side that did come loose so you'll have a good guide.

No. I need to reuse the bolt and insert potentialy. Also, it’s not just one of the bolts, it’s one bolt on each leg. The only drilling I might try is to drill a small hole through the base so I can insert a pin of some sort to keep it from rotating as I remove the other bolt.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

No. I need to reuse the bolt and insert potentialy. Also, it’s not just one of the bolts, it’s one bolt on each leg. The only drilling I might try is to drill a small hole through the base so I can insert a pin of some sort to keep it from rotating as I remove the other bolt.

Have you tried any sort of impact tool? Put a screw or bolt in on the not stuck side and lock it down with a jam nut then try to break the other loose with an impact wrench.

 

[mpk1996]

Have you tried any sort of impact tool? Put a screw or bolt in on the not stuck side and lock it down with a jam nut then try to break the other loose with an impact wrench.

actually I did. I grabbed my snap on impact, cranked up the psi on the air compressor, but it just spun off the jam nut side again.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

actually I did. I grabbed my snap on impact, cranked up the psi on the air compressor, but it just spun off the jam nut side again.

I'll have to get mine in front of me and see if I can come up with any more ideas.

 

[carsonco]

Just thinking out loud and you may have tried this but could it have a standard right hand thread on the side you got loose and a lefty on the other side?

Throw a spacer on the bolt you got out and try tightening it with a wrench on the stuck side?

I too would like to do the same with my 364.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

I tried today. Bolt and jam but spun just like what happened to you. I have a 550w soldering iron and put it against the screw to try to warm it and loosen the loctite but still no luck. You may be right about having to drill a hole and pin it.

I would say get a fairly new punch 3/32" maybe and drill the hole slightly over with a drill press. I think it would want to walk in the aluminum once you got the steel sleeve with a hand drill.

Would you have to drill the rrs Apex to get it back apart after you swapped the legs?

 

[mpk1996]

I tried today. Bolt and jam but spun just like what happened to you. I have a 550w soldering iron and put it against the screw to try to warm it and loosen the loctite but still no luck. You may be right about having to drill a hole and pin it.

I would say get a fairly new punch 3/32" maybe and drill the hole slightly over with a drill press. I think it would want to walk in the aluminum once you got the steel sleeve with a hand drill.

Would you have to drill the rrs Apex to get it back apart after you swapped the legs?

not sure what I would have to do to the RRS, but I don't think I would be trying to pull it apart. Plus customer support is better with RRS being a US company.

I was thinking I would drill it with both bolts still in and tight to mitigate any spinning. Im out of town for a bit, so I'll have to try it when I get home

 

[st1650]

Does the Apex mount offers more strength, less wobble or is it just for a lower leg profile when transporting the tripod over just using the standard nut ?

 

[newguy2k3v2]

not sure what I would have to do to the RRS, but I don't think I would be trying to pull it apart. Plus customer support is better with RRS being a US company.

I was thinking I would drill it with both bolts still in and tight to mitigate any spinning. Im out of town for a bit, so I'll have to try it when I get home

Are you sure the threaded sleeve of the 364 will fit the holes in the rrs apex?

 

[mpk1996]

Are you sure the threaded sleeve of the 364 will fit the holes in the rrs apex?

not sure, but the apex mount comes with sleeves. so I can use them if necessary.

Does the Apex mount offers more strength, less wobble or is it just for a lower leg profile when transporting the tripod over just using the standard nut ?

it allows the legs to get a lower profile, plus the way the anvil mounts to it, it wont "unscrew" as I pan counter clockwise as it can now just threaded onto the threaded stud.

 

[DP425]

Any update on this?

 

[mpk1996]

not yet. out of town for a bit. i'll try when I'm back home

 

[mpk1996]

Well, got home and did some work on the tripod. Have good new and bad news. the good news is that it was pretty easy to drill a small hold and pin the sleeve from moving, therefor removing the second screw and the leg.

the bad news is that it wont fit the Apex RRS mount. the area around the bolt hole on the leofoto legs are bigger than the RRS. It hits the body of the Apex before the bolt holes all line up.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

Well, got home and did some work on the tripod. Have good new and bad news. the good news is that it was pretty easy to drill a small hold and pin the sleeve from moving, therefor removing the second screw and the leg.

the bad news is that it wont fit the Apex RRS mount. the area around the bolt hole on the leofoto legs are bigger than the RRS. It hits the body of the Apex before the bolt holes all line up.

How far is it from fitting? Could the legs be machined down until they fit?

 

[mpk1996]

How far is it from fitting? Could the legs be machined down until they fit?

I guess its possible, but not something I would even bother trying. not worth it in my opinion

 

[newguy2k3v2]

How much would have to come off?

 

[mpk1996]

How much would have to come off?

I don’t know. I didn’t look at it that close once I figured out it would work as I wasn’t willing to do that.

 

[JMcBurn]

I don’t know. I didn’t look at it that close once I figured out it would work as I wasn’t willing to do that.

Mind taking one off and snapping some pictures? Still interested in the conversion. Also if you aren't willing to take it apart mind snapping a pic of your pinning method?

 

[newguy2k3v2]

I was thinking it probably wouldn't be too much trouble to make a jig with a pin to match the id of the leg bolt hole clamp it on a drill press and use an end mill to cut the radius down do fit.

I don't drag the 364 out more because the Apex is so big and bulky to pack.

I saw leofoto makes a ls-365 tripod. It's a 5 section leg which I don't like but the apex is small like the other ls series and just has a stud. I wonder if the 364 legs would fit and if the apex can be bought seperate.