The center column of my tripod is extended and I can't push it back down. I can twist it to the left, I can twist it to the right, and do the Mambo No. 5 - but down it won't go. I gave it a stern warning, but it ignored me. I went to the gym and pumped me up via dumbbells, came back and shoved - but it wasn't impressed.

Brute strength doesn't do it, at least mine...

So I took the scientific/engineering angle, but there is nothing to dismantle, no screws - no bolts - no nuts. Sure, I can take the legs off, but I can't see where that does any good...

What should I do? Eat pizza until I weigh 200kg and then sit on it?

Help, please, na khap.

(it sticks half a meter out of it's bag now)

Mate, there's a simple solution to everything.

Mate, there's a simple solution to everything.

Yup, with tripods I found it was called an Induro.

Hah!

I have fixed il problemo.

It needed ingenuity, tenacity and clear thought..., although it was rally rather embarrassing.

So, if you want to know how, send money first to soothe my ego!

KK....You can try soaking the centre post where it goes through the collar in WD-40 then use

a can of spray grease (it's available at many motorcycle shops for lubing chains). Soak the

crank also because that's usually where the problem is. An old Gitzo that I still have had the

same problem once upon a time...I used the WD-40 & spray grease & the problem went

away. Keep it greased & well lubed after you get it free.

If it's still stuck then toss it & buy either (in ascending order here)...a Benro (Chinese

ripoff of a Gitzo), Manfrotto, Gitzo, Really Right Stuff or Induro. Pick a model that will

support your gear (go a bit heavier than you think you'll need) and is friendly with your

bank account. Chose a proper head (also go heavier) and also friendly with the bank

account.

If neither of the above listed options will do then try this....

Being ex military and loving this suff...obtain some....

The Brits call it PE-4...same stuff. Semtex is quite similar but has more

RDX mixed in.

Under the wrapping it is white in colour & flexible & moldable to any shape

you desire. I suggest a 1/2 inch diameter bread stick style about 12" long.

Attach the flexi-bread stick charge to the collar/centre column.

You need to obtain a #8 blasting cap...how you do that is ub to U.

Plus you need two 9v "transistor" batteries joined in series so you

have 18 volts output...I suggest Duracells because unlike Energizers,

Duracells last longer.

You will also need about 100 meters of cheap speaker wire, the red

& black kind, not too thick, the thinner diameter the better.

Very Important: find an isolated spot way out in the country. Do not,

I repeat, do not even think of doing this in Lumpini Park...it'll scare the

crap outta people & you will end up in prison for a long time.

PM me for the rest of the details!

Only if you can guarantee complete discretion.

Hare rama.

SS I know you have 2 nice MTB's.

Please do yourself a favour and never use WD40 on your chain as a lubricant, it is not up to the job and your chain will wear out as fast as running it dry.

If you have a motorbike well that's even worse.

OFF topic yes but I'm trying to help save your bike.

^^^ RW...Oh no...I only use WD40 as a degreaser for me chains on the MTB's and

Suzuki 650 Enduro. Dry lube I find is great out here but the cheapest stuff

easily available is 2 stroke motorbike oil or 10W40 engine oil for chain lubes!

Cheap & good regarding the latter. OT...apols....back OT now.

KK....You can try soaking the centre post where it goes through the collar in WD-40 then use

a can of spray grease (it's available at many motorcycle shops for lubing chains). Soak the

crank also because that's usually where the problem is. An old Gitzo that I still have had the

same problem once upon a time...I used the WD-40 & spray grease & the problem went

away. Keep it greased & well lubed after you get it free.

If it's still stuck then toss it & buy either (in ascending order here)...a Benro (Chinese

ripoff of a Gitzo), Manfrotto, Gitzo, Really Right Stuff or Induro. Pick a model that will

support your gear (go a bit heavier than you think you'll need) and is friendly with your

bank account. Chose a proper head (also go heavier) and also friendly with the bank

account.

If neither of the above listed options will do then try this....

Being ex military and loving this suff...obtain some....

C-4-1.jpg [attachment=296887:C-4PXBlocks.jpg

C-4-Wrapped.jpg

The Brits call it PE-4...same stuff. Semtex is quite similar but has more

RDX mixed in.

Under the wrapping it is white in colour & flexible & moldable to any shape

you desire. I suggest a 1/2 inch diameter bread stick style about 12" long.

C-4 flexing.jpg C-4 molding.jpg

Attach the flexi-bread stick charge to the collar/centre column.

You need to obtain a #8 blasting cap...how you do that is ub to U.

Plus you need two 9v "transistor" batteries joined in series so you

have 18 volts output...I suggest Duracells because unlike Energizers,

Duracells last longer.

You will also need about 100 meters of cheap speaker wire, the red

& black kind, not too thick, the thinner diameter the better.

Very Important: find an isolated spot way out in the country. Do not,

I repeat, do not even think of doing this in Lumpini Park...it'll scare the

crap outta people & you will end up in prison for a long time.

PM me for the rest of the details!

C4_explosion.jpg

Play Dough

@ Harry...Hah!

Play Dough with an attitude!