Majestic Heads - Parts or Service?

[david@bigeleisenlaw.com]

I have a majestic head. I did the things recommended to take care of front to back free play and side to side free play. Front to back and side to side are fine now. But I have a tiny bit of free play as I rotate the top from right to left and left to right.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

David

[Scott Davis]

Apologies for reviving an old thread, but... anyone have any ideas where I could get a different size top plate for a Majestic head? I've got a head with the 4x5"-ish top plate, but I'd like to get one of the 7x7 inch ones for use with my 14x17. I don't want to buy another entire head or even head plus tripod just to get a top plate.

[Michael Kadillak]

There are really only two viable options for you to consider and I assume you exhausted the initial one of trying to find a replacement head. Majestic heads were all over the place for some time and for some reason they have dried up. It happens. The only option I could suggest is to just have one made for you. Four bolts hold it on the head from below. That way you get the size you want and a 3/8" screw for your 14x17 camera. If you want an original base plate here is what I would suggest. I needed a 3/8" spring loaded screw for my 6x6" base plate to support my 32# Deardorff Marine V11 camera. Could not find one anywhere. I ended up speaking to the owner of the company that manufactured the head (Bencher) in Chicago I believe and he ended up sending me the technical drawings so I could pass them on to a machinist friend who set me up a 3/8" make up assembly like new. Most importantly I learned from the owner that there are actually TWO set screws in the spring loaded make up assembly from the manufacturer. My machinist was most appreciative of that information. I still have the technical drawing. Good Luck!

[John Earley]

....I ended up speaking to the owner of the company that manufactured the head (Bencher) in Chicago I believe and he ended up sending me the technical drawings so I could pass them on to a machinist friend who set me up a 3/8" make up assembly like new. Most importantly I learned from the owner that there are actually TWO set screws in the spring loaded make up assembly from the manufacturer. My machinist was most appreciative of that information. I still have the technical drawing. Good Luck!

Michael, would it be possible for you to send me a copy of the technical drawings for the spring loaded 3/8" screw as I would like to machine one for one of my tripods.

[Michael Kadillak]

I will post it for everyone's consumption concurrently.

[John Earley]

Thanks Michael

[Michael Kadillak]

My pleasure.

Remember if you provide these drawings to a machinist to disassemble your screw assembly and install the 3/8" screw he will make for you - remind him:

There are actually TWO set screws in the spring loaded make up assembly from the manufacturer. One inside the other. My machinist was most appreciative of that information.

[MrFujicaman]

Apologies for reviving an old thread, but... anyone have any ideas where I could get a different size top plate for a Majestic head? I've got a head with the 4x5"-ish top plate, but I'd like to get one of the 7x7 inch ones for use with my 14x17. I don't want to buy another entire head or even head plus tripod just to get a top plate.

I was browsing thru Craigslist for Las Vegas and found this guy: Nik Colyer 530-265-3566, nik @ Nikcolyer.com. He's got a bunch of glowing referalls on his add-with listed #'s! Look under "skilled trades" in services. NOTICE: I don't know Mr. Colyer and I've never used him. However, I know how hard it is to find a machinist that will work with you !

[Scott Davis]

I ended up finding a second Majestic head with the bigger platform for 2/3 the price of the first one, so I added it to my arsenal. Now I need to get an adapter post so I can use it on regular tripods! But that should be easy for any machinist to make.

[Lachlan 717]

I ended up finding a second Majestic head with the bigger platform for 2/3 the price of the first one, so I added it to my arsenal. Now I need to get an adapter post so I can use it on regular tripods! But that should be easy for any machinist to make.

See post #32.