Trying to Find Part for my Tripod

[Jim Koepke]

I have a Gitzo tripod that was bought in the late 1970s. The rubber ring for tightening the nut on the telescoping section to raise and lower the camera has finally stretched to the point of uselessness. Years ago when talking to a rep. at Gitzo I was told the part is unavailable and my model (Reporter) is no longer made.

Gitzo Tripod Detail.jpg

Searching for; rubber ring, rubber grip ring, gland nut ring and a few others turn up nothing useable.

The size appears to be 35mmX19mm.

Before giving up and wrapping with some rubber or friction tape it seemed like this might be a good place to ask.

Maybe with everyone using cellphone cameras, the old trusted tripod may be on its way out.

jtk

[Maurice Mcmurry]

Film photography and admiration for vintage photography equipment is having a renaissance (rebirth) with a certain group of youngsters. I think you will have to make that part. If you make it nice it will add value.

[roger wiegand]

If you can draw the part in an appropriate graphics program there are a range of rubber-like polymers that could be used to 3D print it. https://rapidmade.com/3d-printing/3d...d%20Elastomer. (this link is just an example that includes some useful information, not a recommendation of this company) 3D printing is now also possible with silicone, which also may be appropriate for your grip ring.

[Lee Schierer]

How about one or more layers of heat shrink tubing. The adhesive type should grip the tube and you can build up the thickness with multiple layers. If it wears out, it would be fairly easy to renew.

[Paul F Franklin]

They make heat shrink anti-slip tubing for fishing rods that would probably work. Example: https://www.amazon.com/Greatfishing-...09&sr=8-5&th=1

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Do a search for "rubber bushings". There is a bunch on Amazon.

[John Ziebron]

Ken, one possible solution is to use a liquid rubber like the kind they use for dipping tool handles. You could use an acid brush to apply one or more coats but you should remove the existing rubber first. It comes in different colors too. Here is an example from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Performix-075...02&sr=8-5&th=1

[Jim Koepke]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

They make heat shrink anti-slip tubing for fishing rods that would probably work.

This looked promising but the bottom of the page lead me to > https://www.amazon.com/CATTONGUE-GRI...dp/B08CS3Q3Y4/ <

A wedge shape can likely be cut out of that to wrap around to make a continuous seam and do the job.

Thanks again everyone for the help.

Years ago there was a replacement set of all the grip rings for a Gitzo tripod on ebay, but it was for a different size tripod than mine. it would seem having spare parts for what is considered a top of the line tripod would be a good practice for loyal customers.

jtk

[Tom M King]

I wouldn't be surprised if a place like B&H didn't have some in the back somewhere. I lost a pop pin out of my bought new in 1975 telescopic 17' David White grade rod and couldn't find the odd size online. I was in a surveyors supply in Greensboro, NC and the guy had an assortment in a junk drawer in the back. He found the exact one I needed.

What is the model number of that tripod?

[Jim Koepke]

What is the model number of that tripod?

I can't find any model number. All that it says about the model on the top is Gilux Reporter and Made in France.

jtk

[Maurice Mcmurry]

How about making something like a wooden napkin ring with carved knurles, split that in two and epoxy glue the two halves on?

Screen Shot 2024-05-07 at 5.43.35 AM.jpg Screen Shot 2024-05-07 at 5.46.44 AM.jpg napkin ring snips from the web

This is a little like thinking about how to fix an Estwing hammer with broken and missing plastic rings from the stack of leather. I have my old Estwing that I repaired and several others waiting to be.

Screen Shot 2024-05-07 at 5.50.27 AM.png Screen Shot 2024-05-07 at 5.53.37 AM.jpg Leather handle Estwing snips stolen from the web

[Bill Dufour]

If that is metal a company like western roller could mold on new rubber and grind it down to round. They redo planer outfeed rolls.
Bicycle grip tape, hockey stick tape.
Bill D

[Jim Koepke]

Maurice, I have an Estwing hammer that came to me with loose disks. My first step was to give the leather disks a ample application of oil sold for conditioning baseball gloves. That helped a lot. The leather is now solid enough for use. I have thought about buying some leather cement and making some disks that can be added in without removing the end plate. I have also thought of just adding a piece of wood wedged into the bottom.

Bill, that sounds like a way to get a quality grip ring on the tripod. Most likely getting a company like Western Roller to do this for a one off would be a bit pricey. Right now it has me a little ticked that a roll of tape set me back ~$20. The saving grace on that is there will be close to 20 feet of the tape left over to use on other things.

jtk

[Jim Koepke]

The fishing pole handle heat shrink looked promising but the bottom of the page lead me to > https://www.amazon.com/CATTONGUE-GRI...dp/B08CS3Q3Y4/ <

jtk

This arrived today and was applied to my grip ring (knob). It took a little quick work with a pair of scissors and all is well.

Looks like it will do fine. The 1"X20' option was ordered instead of 2"X10'. It came as two 1"X10' rolls. They were stuck together.

The material has a softer feel to it than the original, which is nice. It gives a better feel in use.

So now out of 20' there is about 19' and 9" left.

Surely something around here to be found that can use a bit of grip on it.

For me, the CATTONGUE is the Cat's Meow.

jtk

[George Yetka]

This arrived today and was applied to my grip ring (knob). It took a little quick work with a pair of scissors and all is well.

Looks like it will do fine. The 1"X20' option was ordered instead of 2"X10'. It came as two 1"X10' rolls. They were stuck together.

The material has a softer feel to it than the original, which is nice. It gives a better feel in use.

So now out of 20' there is about 19' and 9" left.

Surely something around here to be found that can use a bit of grip on it.

For me, the CATTONGUE is the Cat's Meow.

jtk

If you vacuum seal it and keep it in a drawer at the right temperature away from sunlight . (20'/3"x 50 years) Should last you the next 4000 years. You can splurge and swap it every 25 though and still be good for 2000 years.