C Stand Heads Won’t Tighten

[Taylor Bickel 0]

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 60]

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 184]

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 60]

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 by Gregg MacPherson
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[Ed Conley 14]

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

 

 

[Max Field 116]

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 60]

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 77]

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 116]

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 77]

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.