C Stand Heads Won’t Tighten

[Taylor Bickel]

I work a lot with a guy who has really old Norms C-Stands. The grip heads seem to be looser and looser after every job. You really have to tighten them down a ton. Is there any way of bringing these old heads back to their former glory, or do we just have to buy all new heads?

[Gregg MacPherson]

The old Matthews ones I have use a cork wafer/friction washer. You could add that if they needed it. Make your own washer out of cork from the auto parts shop if you can't find them. Same stuff as used for valve cover gaskets etc.

[Mark Dunn]

Use contact glue to attach the cork- I think you may know it as contact cement. The stuff you leave to get tacky before joining the surfaces.

[Gregg MacPherson]

I didn't glue mine. Meant to add that the gasket material was about 2mm (1/16"). I just looked at the Matthews parts store and these washers are $10/ each. 2-1/2' and 4-1/2' sizes available.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Gregg MacPherson
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[Ed Conley]

yup- pick up some gasket material- no need to glue.

 

 

[Max Field]

I don't see a point in repairing them when they're so cheap to begin with:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371923-REG/Impact_KCP_200_Grip_Head_2_5.html

[Gregg MacPherson]

Gosh, $18 is really cheap for the head. But consider these thoughts..

-The older brand C stands can last a very long time. They may be worth repairing or maintaining.

-Replacing the cork washer is a maintenance issue, that any head may need.

-The cork sheet is very cheap and cutting to shape is very easy. 

[JD Hartman]

POS made in China.  Looks like a poor copy of an American Grip head.  Many complaints about not tightening or staying tight, etc, etc.  Look at what most lighting and grip houses send out, that's hardware that lasts.

[Max Field]

I mean I've hammered nails with these and they still work well. I prefer them to Matthews gripheads because the tightening handle is ergonomic for my big hands.

How many years do we need our grip heads to last here?

[JD Hartman]

Gripheads, with minimal care and maintenance, since they are cast Al, should last virtually forever.  Were that not true you wouldn't see used but fully functional American Grip, Matthews, Modern, Norms and even Mole gripheads for sale. Impact gripheads will be in the scrapyard.

[Max Field]

Wanted to update that I've been using the exact same impact grip heads for 2 more years and still not a single issue.

[Aapo Lettinen]

with the local prices here the Avenger gripheads are the best price/quality ratio so I am using those. The Matthews ones are also good if rented but they are more difficult and expensive to purchase than Avengers.