Majestic Tripod Head 1/4"to 3/8" Make Up Screw Fix

A couple of years ago I found myself acquiring a Majestic tripod with a series 1200 head that was perfect for my Deardorff V11 and my Canham 8x20 camera. Unfortunately, the head (like so many in the used market) came with a 1/4x20 make up screw which was inadequate for my needs and the perpetual optimist in me assumed that acquiring a stronger 3/8" make up screw would be quick and easy. Calls to the manufacturer let me know that they stopped making that part some time prior. I missed a small number of replacement screws on B&H and was starting to be concerned where the fix was to be found.

On a shot in the dark I called the owner of Becher that made the tripod and the head and asked him if he had the engineering schematic for the 3/8" screw and he told me he did and he would send it to me. Fortunately I had a good friend here in Denver that is a master photographer and master machinist who was able to take the spec sheet and produced the 3/8" make up screw and assembled it on my tripod head and I was all smiles and in business.

I read a recent post where Luis Sosa was similarly looking for the same 3/8" Majestic make up screw. Fortunately, the good friend kept the spec sheet on the 3/8" make up screw and was able to fix the problem for Luis at a reasonable price and he was good to go. I would be remise if I did not at least make a concerted effort to reach out to the LF community to see if any other LF photographers are similarly in need of the 3/8" Majestic spring loaded make up screw for their tripod heads. Please PM me if you are interested and I will pass along the proper details.

Cheers!

Yes Michael put me in touch with his machinist friend, George who did a terrific job for me. I had bought a mint Majestic tripod head but without a camera mounting screw. Then I bought a junker head at auction but with a 1/4-20 mounting screw. I sent George the good head and the mounting screw and asked if he could make me a 3/8-16 camera screw and to use whatever parts he needed from the 1/4-20 screw to make the screw for my 810 & 11x14 Deardorffs. He re-packed the grease in the head and made the new mounting screw which came out just like the original, all at a very reasonable price.

I would take Michael up on his offer to put you in tough with his friend if you need a camera screw for a Majestic tripod head, or some other custom photography machine work. You won't find too many machinists who can do such excellent quality work in this day and age! Thank you Michael and George!

Luis

Showing the custom 3/8-16 screw George made for me-just like the original one! He re-used some parts from a 1/4-20 Majestic screw I had, but I suspect could make the entire assembly.

Attachment 167567 lAttachment 167568 Attachment 167569

I thought I'd post some specs for those who may be interested in Majestic Tripods/Gearheads.

Attachment 167587

Attachment 167588

As you can see, the Series 1000 Gearheads were for screw mount and have a 3/8 screw on the bottom, Models 1200 and 1900 fit directly on a post, either a Majestic or Davis & Sanford tripod. They also made a tripod adaptor for the tube end ones which had a 3/8" screw hole. I suspect George could easily make one of those if needed. I'll post some photos later.

My understanding is George makes them for scratch, and does not need any parts. I have sent him a money order for the cost of a new bolt and shipping cost only.

Mike

Here are two Majestic tripod heads. The older black one on the left is a Model 1200 made to fit a Majestic post. The one on the right is a Model 1000-E with a female 3/8-16 threads.

Attachment 167601

Another shot of the Model 1200 showing the size of the opening.

Attachment 167602

Luis, can't get your down loads to work.

should be fixed now.

Two base adapters for the Series 1200 gearheads. On left is an older aluminum adapter that inserts into the bottom of the gearhead. It has a lip roughly the outside diameter of the base. Loose is a Model 800 adapter made out of Stainless Steel, that also inserts into the bottom of the gearhead. These adapters would be screwed onto the tripod base, and then gearhead then fitted over it. Since the Model 800 doesn't have a lip, it can go too far into the head and hit the wormgear. On the right is a very elegant solution that George made for me. Made out of aluminum with a threaded SS insert for the threads, it is solidly attached to the gearhead and does not fall out. Essentially turns the Model 1200 into a Model 1000 gearhead. Well worth the cost.

Attachment 169361

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luis-F-S

Two base adapters for the Series 1200 gearheads. On left is an older aluminum adapter that inserts into the bottom of the gearhead. It has a lip roughly the outside diameter of the base. Loose is a Model 800 adapter made out of Stainless Steel, that also inserts into the bottom of the gearhead. These adapters would be screwed onto the tripod base, and then gearhead then fitted over it. Since the Model 800 doesn't have a lip, it can go too far into the head and hit the wormgear. On the right is a very elegant solution that George made for me. Made out of aluminum with a threaded SS insert for the threads, it is solidly attached to the gearhead and does not fall out. Essentially turns the Model 1200 into a Model 1000 gearhead. Well worth the cost.

Attachment 169361

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What cost??

It is very irritating to read this thread without one price being mentioned.

I bought a majestic tripod and the 3/8 mounting screw and realize too that the top plate where it goes thru will not let the 3/8 screw pass thru. Do you have a work around so I do not need to buy a new tripod head? Thss from ny

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Originally Posted by AtlantaTerry

What cost??

It is very irritating to read this thread without one price being mentioned.

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Sorry but I’m not going to state a price for custom work that someone else may not honor for whatever reason. You want a price ask George for your particular situation. I’ll just say the price was fair and he did excellent work!

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Originally Posted by Michael Kadillak

A couple of years ago I found myself acquiring a Majestic tripod with a series 1200 head that was perfect for my Deardorff V11 and my Canham 8x20 camera. Unfortunately, the head (like so many in the used market) came with a 1/4x20 make up screw which was inadequate for my needs and the perpetual optimist in me assumed that acquiring a stronger 3/8" make up screw would be quick and easy. Calls to the manufacturer let me know that they stopped making that part some time prior. I missed a small number of replacement screws on B&H and was starting to be concerned where the fix was to be found.

On a shot in the dark I called the owner of Becher that made the tripod and the head and asked him if he had the engineering schematic for the 3/8" screw and he told me he did and he would send it to me. Fortunately I had a good friend here in Denver that is a master photographer and master machinist who was able to take the spec sheet and produced the 3/8" make up screw and assembled it on my tripod head and I was all smiles and in business.

I read a recent post where Luis Sosa was similarly looking for the same 3/8" Majestic make up screw. Fortunately, the good friend kept the spec sheet on the 3/8" make up screw and was able to fix the problem for Luis at a reasonable price and he was good to go. I would be remise if I did not at least make a concerted effort to reach out to the LF community to see if any other LF photographers are similarly in need of the 3/8" Majestic spring loaded make up screw for their tripod heads. Please PM me if you are interested and I will pass along the proper details.

Cheers!

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Bencher, not Becher!

I have a Linhof round base plate that converts from 1/4" to 3/8" and obverse.
Maybe Bob S can give us the details.

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Originally Posted by Jac@stafford.net

I have a Linhof round base plate that converts from 1/4" to 3/8" and obverse.
Maybe Bob S can give us the details.

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77mm or 46mm Dual Thread Top Plate for Linhof Rekord, 46mm, and Light Weight tripods, 77mm.

no one uses those 3/8 to 1/4 adapter deals that are about a buck?

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Originally Posted by DrTang

no one uses those 3/8 to 1/4 adapter deals that are about a buck?

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You get what you pay for

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Originally Posted by DrTang

no one uses those 3/8 to 1/4 adapter deals that are about a buck?

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Those adapters are made with either one turn of thread, maybe two, for the cheap ones, frequently soft metals. Good ones, like the Linhof are made from brass and have about 5 turns of ⅜” thread. They are far from $1.00 but will correctly do the job for you!

Thanks, Bob!

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Originally Posted by Bob Salomon

Bencher, not Becher!

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They are out of business Bob and further more what difference does it make? We are photographers not historians. I am confident that the forum participants understood the proper context of the post and that is all I was striving for.

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Originally Posted by Michael Kadillak

They are out of business Bob and further more what difference does it make? We are photographers not historians. I am confident that the forum participants understood the proper context of the post and that is all I was striving for.

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Someone that does not understand the proper context might go searching for the wrong name and never find the right name!

Agree with Bob whose name I have misspelled often. Sorry, Bob Salomon.

In many ways, this whole forum is a historical document.


I believe I bought the last NOS 3/8" Majestic tripod screws and base plugs directly from Bencher which had slowed in size to a husband and wife team in Northern Illinois. I think the last warehouse was their garage. I may be wrong. The listings in B&H and Adorama were never in stock the last years. Parts were drop shipped. The owners diclosed that. I had several long telephone conversations with both husband and wife. They were happy to tell their tale.

Many Majestic tripods and heads were made. Plenty available for anyone who wants them still. They are out there. I have found 3. I mount both a 1/4" and a 3/8" on the prefered large platform.

The Head bottom plug is child's play for any machinist. The tripod screw is more complex, but again anybody that can run a lathe can make one.

Without machining anything, as I don't own a big lathe, I made a plug adapter for Majestic head to Linhof Heavy-Duty Pro Tripod. Perhaps the best of both worlds. I posted pics of it in DIY.

History.

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

Agree with Bob whose name I have misspelled often. Sorry, Bob Salomon.

In many ways, this whole forum is a historical document.


I believe I bought the last NOS 3/8" Majestic tripod screws and base plugs directly from Bencher which had slowed in size to a husband and wife team in Northern Illinois. I think the last warehouse was their garage. I may be wrong. The listings in B&H and Adorama were never in stock the last years. Parts were drop shipped. The owners diclosed that. I had several long telephone conversations with both husband and wife. They were happy to tell their tale.

Many Majestic tripods and heads were made. Plenty available for anyone who wants them still. They are out there. I have found 3. I mount both a 1/4" and a 3/8" on the prefered large platform.

The Head bottom plug is child's play for any machinist. The tripod screw is more complex, but again anybody that can run a lathe can make one.

Without machining anything, as I don't own a big lathe, I made a plug adapter for Majestic head to Linhof Heavy-Duty Pro Tripod. Perhaps the best of both worlds. I posted pics of it in DIY.

History.

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As the Kaiser copy stand distributor for decades Bencher was our main competitor, while it was a friendly competition, they were never really successful in the retail market. But we did have fun in those days!

Majestic gearheads are readily available on the auction site. Some in much better shape than others. I think I'm up to 6-7 NOS or mint gearheads. Occasionally, there will be an NOS head under the majestictripods name on the site. They were made from leftover parts when Bencher closed it's doors. I've bought a couple and asked that they be supplied with 3/8 screws. They've been great to work with. Search Ebay under majestictripods and PM them.

The gearhead on the left has the adapter plug, the one on the right had a permanent base machined by Michael's friend to act like a Series 1000 head. Not cheap since it took a lot of machining, but it came out great! Also listed some Majestic literature which is elsewhere on this thread, but so many folks don't look at the entire thread! L

Attachment 178688Attachment 178689Attachment 178690

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luis-F-S

Two base adapters for the Series 1200 gearheads. On left is an older aluminum adapter that inserts into the bottom of the gearhead. It has a lip roughly the outside diameter of the base. Loose is a Model 800 adapter made out of Stainless Steel, that also inserts into the bottom of the gearhead. These adapters would be screwed onto the tripod base, and then gearhead then fitted over it. Since the Model 800 doesn't have a lip, it can go too far into the head and hit the wormgear. On the right is a very elegant solution that George made for me. Made out of aluminum with a threaded SS insert for the threads, it is solidly attached to the gearhead and does not fall out. Essentially turns the Model 1200 into a Model 1000 gearhead. Well worth the cost.

Attachment 169361

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Hi Everyone. I'm a new member here and this is my first post, although I've read forum posts over the years. I'm in need of the insert for my 1200 head, like the one Michael's friend made for Luis. Luis, Michael, or anyone, do you have Michael's friend's contact information? Or maybe there is a newer/better solution that I haven't seen yet? Thanks in advance!

Scott

The inserts sometimes come up at auction. The one I had machined was quite expensive and our machinist friend is out of commission for the time being. L

Easy to make with off the shelf parts from McMaster Carr.

I made this to adapt a Majestic head to my Linhof Heavy Duty tripod.

It's 2 pieces of aluminum, drilled by me by hand and bolted together with a very strong Grade 8 bolt.

The big SAE round was slightly undersized for the metric Linhof so I put a few turns of aluminum tape to make it slightly bigger in diameter.

Works great, and could be modified to your purpose with drilled 3 holes around my bolt to attach the parts. then tap a 3/8-16 thread in the flat round.

I bought 1.5" x 3" aluminum dowel from https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-aluminum-rods and cut it in half with a hacksaw. One end is flat and square and the hacksaw end is non critical.

3" https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-aluminum-rods

I posted this in DIY sometime ago.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4818/...dfacaf11_z.jpgIMG-1573 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7839/...c8a4f5ca_z.jpgIMG-1574 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7914/...3eb2ca95_z.jpgIMG-1575 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

Thanks Randy. Nice job. That definitely looks doable too. I think I'll run down to the local metal supply shop and see what they have. :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

Easy to make with off the shelf parts from McMaster Carr.

I made this to adapt a Majestic head to my Linhof Heavy Duty tripod.

It's 2 pieces of aluminum, drilled by me by hand and bolted together with a very strong Grade 8 bolt.

The big SAE round was slightly undersized for the metric Linhof so I put a few turns of aluminum tape to make it slightly bigger in diameter.

Works great, and could be modified to your purpose with drilled 3 holes around my bolt to attach the parts. then tap a 3/8-16 thread in the flat round.

I bought 1.5" x 3" aluminum dowel from https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-aluminum-rods and cut it in half with a hacksaw. One end is flat and square and the hacksaw end is non critical.

3" https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-aluminum-rods

I posted this in DIY sometime ago.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4818/...dfacaf11_z.jpgIMG-1573 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7839/...c8a4f5ca_z.jpgIMG-1574 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7914/...3eb2ca95_z.jpgIMG-1575 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

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Great, if they don't have time or size, McMaster has no minimum purchase and ships fast.

I'm the guy who bought the last NOS Majestic Head spuds from the final owner of the business.

Very sad to see the empire fall, as Majestic Tripods and Heads are very good.

I also like CHICAGO cast into the the side. Lived 50 years inside Chicago. I escaped 2 years ago.

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Originally Posted by BeingWolfy

Thanks Randy. Nice job. That definitely looks doable too. I think I'll run down to the local metal supply shop and see what they have. :-)

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

I'm the guy who bought the last NOS Majestic Head spuds from the final owner of the business.

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Do you have an extra one that you'd like to sell me? :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

I also like CHICAGO cast into the the side. Lived 50 years inside Chicago. I escaped 2 years ago.

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"I escaped 2 years ago..." lol!

Nope, I need all 3. There are 3 different sizes made for various models sold over time.

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Originally Posted by BeingWolfy

Do you have an extra one that you'd like to sell me? :-)



"I escaped 2 years ago..." lol!

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Hey guys. I had an adapter made at a local machine shop. This is a 1-1/2" diameter spud. What do you think? What are the other size spuds? I think there is a 1-3/8" diameter as well, but I'm not sure.

(Images are clickable for full resolution)

http://wolfington.net/temp/tripod/01-Small.jpg
http://wolfington.net/temp/tripod/02-Small.jpg
http://wolfington.net/temp/tripod/03-Small.jpg
http://wolfington.net/temp/tripod/04-Small.jpg

Here's two more pictures (forum will only let me include 4 images in a single post):

(Images are clickable for full resolution)

http://wolfington.net/temp/tripod/05-Small.jpg
http://wolfington.net/temp/tripod/06-Small.jpg

Looks good!

I have an older Green Paint Majestic Tripod & Head that could use 1-3/8" spud.

Check your insertion depth as too long will touch the worm drive.

There were also spud for Arkay Studio Stands which are double spud with sometimes 2 diameters and tapped hole for lesser heads.

Mine are in the shed and I can check them if you want.

Like this and still for sale!

https://www.adorama.com/ay8ms2.html?...yABEgLay_D_BwE

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

I have an older Green Paint Majestic Tripod & Head that could use 1-3/8" spud.

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Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

Check your insertion depth as too long will touch the worm drive.

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I think I've got this one maxed out at the current depth. I think it's 1-3/4" height.

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

There were also spud for Arkay Studio Stands which are double spud with sometimes 2 diameters and tapped hole for lesser heads.

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Any pics?

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

Mine are in the shed and I can check them if you want.

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That would be great! Thanks Randy!

Would you say one is more common than the other? 1-3/8" vs 1-1/2" spud size?

1-1/2 is more common.

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Originally Posted by BeingWolfy

Would you say one is more common than the other? 1-3/8" vs 1-1/2" spud size?

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Hey, my wife likes your ring, Wolfy!

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Originally Posted by Jac@stafford.net

Hey, my wife likes your ring, Wolfy!

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LOL! Tell her thank you! ;-)