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In many ways, this whole forum is a historical document.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.
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
Last edited by Luis-F-S; 29-May-2018 at 07:58.
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.
IMG-1573 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr
IMG-1574 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr
IMG-1575 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr
Tin Can
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.
Tin Can
Bookmarks