NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => What the Nerds Do => Topic started by: Bear Dale on August 21, 2019, 08:44:41

Title: Manfrotto 055XPROB Modification
Post by: Bear Dale on August 21, 2019, 08:44:41

Manfrotto 055XPROB Modification

 really like my Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod except for one thing and that's the center piece pole that can be raised up and down. The legs are absolutely rock solid but there's always been movement in that center column so it was time for some modifications and removal of that column which was something that I have never used and turned a brass locking knob up.
There's now zero movement at that critical place where you don't want any movement in a tripod and with the rock steady legs I'm pretty happy with this couple of hours of machining and fiddling having the tripod head in pieces and getting it back together.

Stock Standard 055XPROB -

(https://pix.nikonians.org/Heg4aDS2aHnDrmACZzzkRQsNYBU=/fit-in/0x0/www.nikonians.org/forums/user_files/394315.jpg)



Center Column removed which necessitated a complete tear down of the tripod -

(https://pix.nikonians.org/mCF_YJSu4Lsex72T1JwVIIOoLo0=/fit-in/0x0/www.nikonians.org/forums/user_files/394316.jpg)


Machined up a new head out of two pieces of aluminium bar stock with the smaller section socketed into the larger 3" section and then a 3/8" bolt put through the center for the head -

(https://pix.nikonians.org/0WM9RHjXb0s2gk64A1Ss6H72NFM=/fit-in/0x0/www.nikonians.org/forums/user_files/394318.jpg)


(https://pix.nikonians.org/Gwsw8YdVf9FiYJacrTzXaec6Mb4=/fit-in/0x0/www.nikonians.org/forums/user_files/394319.jpg)


Underneath showing the new inserted and now no center column -

(https://pix.nikonians.org/f7u46oNGFcScoYBaMeI_9gWWkpE=/fit-in/0x0/www.nikonians.org/forums/user_files/394320.jpg)

New head in place -

(https://pix.nikonians.org/qMWdS0oLBpDTF_Nb5A19ZZQNTJ8=/fit-in/0x0/www.nikonians.org/forums/user_files/394321.jpg)


(https://pix.nikonians.org/xmRs1NdTMAcFzMlkrolinSE0ZLg=/fit-in/0x0/www.nikonians.org/forums/user_files/394322.jpg)


(https://pix.nikonians.org/vOszfUkTtHpJFdM1TSl9KsBTVus=/fit-in/0x0/www.nikonians.org/forums/user_files/394323.jpg)

Title: Re: Manfrotto 055XPROB Modification
Post by: Erik Lund on August 21, 2019, 08:51:59

Simple but very effective! Again, very nicely done ;)


As a side remark, the similar solution is available for sale for some Gitzo tripods

Title: Re: Manfrotto 055XPROB Modification
Post by: Bear Dale on August 21, 2019, 08:56:59

Thanks Erik.

Title: Re: Manfrotto 055XPROB Modification
Post by: DougB on August 21, 2019, 16:31:36

Great job!
I have the same tripod & that damn center column is my only complaint.
Thanks for sharing that

Title: Re: Manfrotto 055XPROB Modification
Post by: Matthew Currie on August 21, 2019, 16:40:19

Some older Manfrottos have similar plastic piece that is carried (and lost) on the bottom of the post, but this one looks a good bit sturdier.  The red stripe is a nice touch too.  Well done.

Title: Re: Manfrotto 055XPROB Modification
Post by: Bear Dale on August 22, 2019, 03:37:11

Thanks Doug & Matthew.