Adjusting leg-swing wing nuts for leg swing on Ries tripod

[Fred Haeseker]

A novice question from a novice: I found, for a good price, an old (made in Hollywood) Ries tripod with 6-inch platform and single-tilt head, in fine mechanical condition. It holds my heavy Ansco 8x10 rock steady. The only problem is that the swing on the tripod legs is a little loose -- i.e. when I lay the tripod down horizontally and raise one of the legs it will swing down by itself. This makes the tripod awkward to use in the field. It has obviously not been used in many years, and the wing nuts controlling the tightness of the swing have seized completely. I don't want to start by taking a wrench to the nuts and have thought of using some kind of penetrating oil to free them enough to make adjustments possible.
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

[Vaughn]

Take a drive down to the Seattle Area and have Reis get the pod 100% for you -- they might even do it 'under warrentee'.

Or give then a call or email and see what they suggest.

[joselsgil]

Contact Ries customer service via e-mail thru their website. They will usually ask for a photo of the tripod and what parts you are looking for. I had to get some wing nuts for an older made in Hollywood, Ries tripod and they were able to find some wing nuts that worked.

[Fred Haeseker]

Thank you. I'd love to go down to Seattle but it's a stiff drive from here, so I'll contact Ries by e-mail.