Carbon fiber tripod tube maintenance.

[Mack]

I have a couple of CF tripods: a RRS TVC-33 and a Fotopro Sherpa. The Sherpa is my newest one and weighs only 2 pounds with the head, but one leg (Second lower one.) had a bit of drag to it on extending it. It's not much, but it annoyed me to try and address it.

I put just enough drag on it with the lock-nut and pulled it in-and-out rapidly maybe 30 times and I could feel on the tube the heat generated in the area where it was dragging on.

Out came a micrometer and found that 'hot' area was only 0.001"-0.002" larger than the rest of the tube. Not much, but it did affect the extension a bit for me. The Fotopro leg nut has a rather large and long collar to tighten against the tube so any drag is easily felt and seen.

I took that leg off (Unscrew nut and remove the two anti-rotation collars.) and used some wet/dry sandpaper in the 600 up to 2000 grit range to smooth it out. It was a bit rough overall on the other pair of the same second leg location sections too (The CF tube guy working that diameter tube must be getting sloppy, imho.) so I ended up using the extra-fine 1000-2000 grit on them as well while washing them under the water faucet. Finished them off with a clean and polish with some "Harley-Davidson Clean and Polish" spray. Now all are nice and smooth. I also used some "Liquid Wrench Dry Lube" on the joints and also sprayed some inside the adjoining tubes while apart to help the anti-rotation collars slide a bit easier.

Now the tripod works beautifully! I even tested to make sure the legs held by pointing each one down fully extended and putting my weight on it to see if it would slip or collapse - and none did!

Now I noticed my RRS TVC-33 has the same drag issue. It, being heavier by 4-5 pounds, I never noticed it was sticking and dragging much like the lighter-weight Fotopro Sherpa was. I can now feel the uneveness of their tube's surface having done the Sherpa. Another day with the sandpaper is calling.

 

[The Dunster]

Park Tools make a prep that I use on my T800 bike frames and seat posts which might be worth investigating.

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https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/supergrip-carbon-and-alloy-assembly-compound-sac-2

 

[Mack]

Park Tools make a prep that I use on my T800 bike frames and seat posts which might be worth investigating.

View attachment 1003311

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/supergrip-carbon-and-alloy-assembly-compound-sac-2

I believe the ParkTool is the opposite of what I was doing. I was trying to make the legs slip easier, and the ParkTools sounds like it is to prevent things from slipping - like a seat post - as it has an abrasive in it. Wouldn't put it near the collar threads on the legs else they may bind up.


Today I went out and attacked the RRS TVC-33 as its legs were dragging and sticking as well. Same sanding treatment: Bit of wet sanding, dry lube, and polish. Much better operation overall.

However, what I did notice in the RRS leg collars that there are no sealing O-rings in them. Even the cheaper FotoPro Sherpa does have some O-rings to keep dirt out in each joint. Looked like the anti-rotation collars have a deeper pin to engage the legs as well in the Sherpa. I read where RRS has addressed their cheap unprotected collars (in mine) with sealing rings in the TVC-33/34 Mark II versions.

I've been more impressed with the Sherpa lately, aside from the wobbles when extended which was to be expected given it weighs only two pounds, goes up to 64 inches, and is compact for travel in a suitcase so that was a trade-off. Works fine with my E-M1X, but I'm leery of putting it over to the side in portrait mode. Maybe time to put back on the L-plate (Hate the things as they impede the LCD swings and any cabling matters off to the sides.). I wouldn't trust it as a full-frame tripod either although I have had the Z9 on it for a while in landscape mode only.

I'm seriously thinking of buying the FotoPro Sherpa Max (3.8 pounds, 69" tall, $349) which is a little more heavy-duty and gives me some extra height in portrait mode if tilted on the ball head. Been pretty impressed with the small Sherpa and its two pound weight compared to the RRS TVC-33 and Ries J-100 wooden tripod which are both too heavy to carry for very long.

 

[The Dunster]

I believe the ParkTool is the opposite of what I was doing. I was trying to make the legs slip easier, and the ParkTools sounds like it is to prevent things from slipping - like a seat post - as it has an abrasive in it. Wouldn't put it near the collar threads on the legs else they may bind up.

No worries. I've misread your post.