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.

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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-printed-rubber-elastomer-products/#:~:text=The%20most%20effective%20rubber%2Dlike,li ke%20our%20High%20Rebound%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.

[Michael Schuch]

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



Yep, nobody seems to have any use for old MF or LF camera tripods any more. I picked up a tank of a Manfrotto studio tripod off of FB marketplace for $20. It is by far the sturdiest table saw feed support I have ever owned... after putting a row of roller bearings on the top.

With the resolution of FF DSLR's it has been a long time since I have brought out my Pentax 67 or Mamiya C330.

I have a carbon fiber tripod I use with my digital camera.

[Lee Schierer]

How about one or more layers of heat shrink tubing (https://www.amazon.com/1-1-inch-39mm-Adhesive-Protector/dp/B07VLDW14Z). 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-Pattern-Fishing-Waterproof-Insulation/dp/B0BFQMC3P6/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9IJlZ_nkgzT0x1hNY0aLAR lP5m0PhFr6MQfcRmOV32_2TPS-M8pzqSEqAbDZA8YADYeN3NL-FDrkxT8h_nbg-alBPTdJf1baM-asi-39imt8BVnb9Db6jG-2aaM2SVUCqTlNiKrPxX3K_tWLN_q3kOPgIJltJI9MmD8xQBZDX w1EB6b6LBQR3k2xBuSQjMQ3N3Byr8EOYRswmaxrXGvbpNGTXbo QljQZLnWDJsfq6ns.R6e1lpZpO5NkF1YBCv0XxKWOKCorgLS-E694at6xEzE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=583774366044&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9015414&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15799698362972572515&hvtargid=kwd-523188558643&hydadcr=16505_13427966&keywords=heat%2Bshrink%2Bgrip%2Btubing&qid=1714951909&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-075815116048-Blue-Plasti-Dip/dp/B000HE9T6A/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qDI0ww3WHhEI4AUZE-PhP2n7bAVS7YxMN3RFjfFPD3cuCciHkuURD8lkFg9Cqb7EI0_T-74mPvteOcmqwTKAoTpkcEOvQa4QcdXVxQXfbK0kBUwVNT2Sf0C 4V902wRDwLXkkgbpak_HVdhjMf6rkLcJYRXv6lwC32J1TEWMl3 sAD6lByFdNPH5w0d989zzXIzQLpD8V6BBudwxwP1BPBle5DT6k PhZ4nt7lHNR9zOgKO9O0HKRdOBoSqjD0x6Up8Mq2vfuuJAKkct wa9p10n1rmR39XpRB1i0vrMivngGdc.8CE-eCF_sVeGV4Nxf9XhJ8vbhSVTdktaXz_l6darUXY&dib_tag=se&keywords=liquid%2Brubber%2Bdip%2Bfor%2Btool%2Bhand les&qid=1714961502&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-GRIPS-Non-Abrasive-Waterproof-Outdoor/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?

519432 519433 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.

519434 519435 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]

One odd result of this is surely thanks to internet tracking.

This morning one of my regularly visited sites was festooned with advertisements for Gitzo tripods.

519466

Great, after having a tripod for half a century it now needs a new grip ring. The company's thinking seems to be I need a new tripod. That is kind of like a car that gets a flat tire and the service person telling you need a new car.

Surely I won't be around in fifty years, but my tripod might make it if someone takes care of it.

jtk

[John Stankus]

Just wondering.
Are some of the available knob covers (I think that's what Gitzo is calling them) the right diameter, but the wrong height? If it's the right diameter, you can either have a small gap, or need to trim some excess.

Just a thought.

John
(who is wondering what he should do with his stash of film cameras)

[Jim Koepke]

I wouldn't be surprised if a place like B&H didn't have some in the back somewhere.

Funny you should mention that Tom. Today doing another search with the same terms B&H came up with a couple of hits.

They are listed at over $20+ shipping.

The problem is they list the tripods they fit, but not the size. It may be the last two digits of the numbers; Gitzo D0402.36 Knob Cover for Select Tripods and Gitzo D0402.41 Knob Cover for Select Tripods.

If that is the case, they are likely both too large for my tripod. Tried the chat function but it seemed like it wasn't working.

One of the rings is listed as Special Order. For now my plan is to see if the tape ordered is able to do the job. The heat shrink for fishing rod handles may be acceptable if the tape doesn't work.

jtk

[Keith Pitman]

This is the site for Gitzo parts: https://www.gitzospares.com/

Not likely to find what you need for such an old tripod, but worth a look.

[George Yetka]

519468

Jim At some point they switched to the tabs instead of the rubber.

Its amazing how well these are built. I would order the part. If the diameter is off a little either way then you can slice it and glue it on. You will probably have to glue it on either way. At the very least you know its most likely the proper durometer and grip feel you originally had.

[Keith Outten]

Take a look at McMaster Carr, their isn't much that they don't have.

[Jim Koepke]

This is the site for Gitzo parts: https://www.gitzospares.com/

Not likely to find what you need for such an old tripod, but worth a look.

Thanks Keith, they make it hard to find a part for an older model from when instead of numbers they used marketing names.

Found some similar tripods and parts, but still not quite the same. The prices for a simple ring nut is ridiculous in my mind. Guess if you need one, you have to pay the piper.

It looks like they have changed how tripods are made compared to how they made them back in the 1970s. Now their top models are made of carbon fiber instead of steel and aluminum.

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-GRIPS-Non-Abrasive-Waterproof-Outdoor/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.

[stephen thomas]

NY libraries have maker spaces. Not sure about other states.
The "kids" at our local version sometimes get a kick out of replicating stuff like that on the 3D scanner & printers. As has been mentioned, just choose a suitable polymer.
Also, be sure to choose suitably dense fill. Some machines default (or are set) to relatively low density to conserve material and save weight, which would be irrelevant for your app.

Local place charges by weight of material used at cost, and some ridiculously low hourly rate for machine time; depending on machines used.

I take in (donate) my scrap 1/8" & sometimes 1/4" birch ply, and scrap acrylic sheet plastic - they love the thin stuff for the laser cutters/engraver

smt

[Roger Feeley]

I picked up a tank of a Manfrotto studio tripod off of FB marketplace for $20. It is by far the sturdiest table saw feed support I have ever owned... after putting a row of roller bearings on the top.

Wow! Great idea. I have a couple of roller stands that are awkward. I’ll have to think it through but I’m thinking that a good tripod would be better.

[Jim Koepke]

Make sure it is a good tripod. My Gitzo was made to support a heavier equipment, like a Graflex Speed Graphic 4X5 camera. Some tripods available at the time even struggled with a short telephoto lens.

Looking on ebay there were a lot of old Gitzo tripods. Many without the tilting mount needed for camera work but not supporting out feed rollers.

jtk