mollymawk
Well-known member
I own a Jobu Black Widow Gimbal head. It provides sterling service atop a Gitzo tripod and supporting a 500mm f/4 lens. I had noticed that it wasn't rotating or tilting with quite so smoothly as it did when first purchased. The manufacturer's and the UK distributor's websites weren't helpful merely stating that the bearings were greased at the time of assembly and service wasn't needed.
I researched on-line and found references to 'damping' or 'dampening' grease. A company called Newgate Simms was very helpful and Peter Wilks kindly sent me a damping grease kit with (very small) samples of several grades of the type he recommended from my description of the problem. I tried each grade and the upshot was that the thickest, Nyogel Flourocarbon gel 868VH, was the most effective and I bought a tube (10gms) which was more than enough to pack all the surfaces. Its expensive but worth it. Before applying the grease, I cleaned the surface with isopropyl alcohol. Disassembly and re-assembly is easy. You need allen keys.
The website has all the details: http://www.newgateonline.com/application/damping-grease.html and an on-line shop.
It's now smooth as silk.
I emphasise I have no links with this company. I merely feel its worth explaining a solution to a problem and endorsing good and technically sound customer service.
Comments and queries welcomed.
I researched on-line and found references to 'damping' or 'dampening' grease. A company called Newgate Simms was very helpful and Peter Wilks kindly sent me a damping grease kit with (very small) samples of several grades of the type he recommended from my description of the problem. I tried each grade and the upshot was that the thickest, Nyogel Flourocarbon gel 868VH, was the most effective and I bought a tube (10gms) which was more than enough to pack all the surfaces. Its expensive but worth it. Before applying the grease, I cleaned the surface with isopropyl alcohol. Disassembly and re-assembly is easy. You need allen keys.
The website has all the details: http://www.newgateonline.com/application/damping-grease.html and an on-line shop.
It's now smooth as silk.
I emphasise I have no links with this company. I merely feel its worth explaining a solution to a problem and endorsing good and technically sound customer service.
Comments and queries welcomed.
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