Leofoto tripod leg chop

[KY_coop]

I swear I saw a thread floating around on here about chopping the legs on one of the inverted leg leofotos. But I can't find it using the search function. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've got a 50% off cert I'd like to use on a 362 inverted model but don't need all that height.

 

[T_Widdy]

what questions do you have? I have cut down several

 

[KY_coop]

Tools, measurements, process. Never cut anything carbon before.

 

[T_Widdy]

Here is a video of a guy doing it on YouTube

I put masking tape on the legs and mark it to the length, cut the carbon legs with a cutoff wheel in a die grinder. Then cut off the remaining carbon tube close to where the feet inserts are glued in the end. I use a my lathe to then turn down the remaining carbon to the aluminum insert. You could use the cutoff wheel to slowly grind down the carbon that is glued to the insert, this will take some time! Wear a respirator while cutting the carbon. Sand and test fit the aluminum feet inserts till they slide in and out by hand of the outer leg. I used 5min epoxy to then glue them back in.

The inner leg is cut shorter to allow the leg to retract and not hit the outer leg insert. The inner leg locking sleeves have slots cut into the carbon that hold it. Those must be 180° apart. I use my mill and an end mill to cut those. You could probably measure and mark them out, then use a dremel with a carbide burr the ream out the slots. Test fit the anti rotation sleeves and reassemble.

 

[KY_coop]

Thank you. I'll check out the video

 

[86indy]

T_Widdy covered it the dremel portion thats all I had


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KY_coop]

I'm assuming the leofoto tripods leg stops are the same as in the video? Doesn't seem like it's to tough of a job.

 

[T_Widdy]

They are one piece that are connected at the bottom, they can break kind of easy, I’m not sure if rrs ones are like the video or if he broke them.

 

[KY_coop]

Would it be more of a pain then its worth if I don't have a lathe or mill to use.

 

[T_Widdy]

That guy did it with a hammer! Haha. It probably isn’t too bad to do it all with a dremel. Or just save and buy the two vets recon v2. It is an excellent tripod to shoot off.