Pan head lubricant

[Irrelevant]

I have a Vortex Summit SS that I bought from someone on here a number of years ago. The actual tripod is fine for my needs but the standard head is bad and getting worse. I took it apart tonight and found a bunch of metal shavings in all the moving parts. It looks like the OG lubricant was grease. Should I repeat grease or switch to something else, like graphite? Thoughts?

 

[millerkiller77]

I'd avoid grease. Dust,dirt, & other particles will stick to the exposed surfaces and act like sandpaper. Remove the tension nut from the ball head and place an appropriate sized Viton o-ring between the tension nut and ball, flood it with a dry film lubricant and reassemble. The dry "NANO" sprays and silicone based garage door track lubricants are excellent at resisting dirt pick up. If you have a high quality drying chain lube on hand it would work in a pinch.

 

[SO7mm]

I used White Lithium Grease on my Vanguard head a couple of years ago and it worked really well.

 

[Arcola]

@millerkiller77's suggestion about a viton o-ring is a great idea. Beyond that, a dry silicone or graphite lube is probably best. Next time it's needed, I'm going to try a PTFE lube (that I use on my bike chains).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QU6C6A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_16

Yours might be too far gone if there is already metal shavings in there though.

 

[Baerman]

you just gotta hawk tuah and spit on that thang!

 

[Schaaf]

I don’t think a head like that is worth repurposing. Time to put it down.

 

[Irrelevant]

I don’t think a head like that is worth repurposing. Time to put it down.

I thought about that. But we're not all as refined in our tastes as you good sir. And Im cheap, and only getting cheaper as I age

 

[Schaaf]

I thought about that. But we're not all as refined in our tastes as you good sir. And Im cheap, and only getting cheaper as I age

Maybe check with Vortex? They might send you a new one.

 

[Wild Bill]

Maybe check with Vortex? They might send you a new one.

I always hear about them having the best warranty is the industry. Time to put it to the test.

 

[SO7mm]

That's interesting - how did you find the performance longevity with the White Lithium Grease on your Vanguard head?

That was two years ago and it's still in good shape. I had got that from a youtube video that I'm having trouble re-locating.

 

[Gulf of America]

That's interesting - how did you find the performance longevity with the White Lithium Grease on your Vanguard head?

The high schooler in me can't comprehend that this might be a real question and not a sexual innuendo.

 

[Irrelevant]

Maybe check with Vortex? They might send you a new one.

I actually sent it in to them when I first got it because the plate didn't fit tight. They attempted to add a steel shim, which helped at least for lighter-weight scopes. It certainly wasn't the "fix" I was after, and thus I'm a bit hesitant to send it in, waste my time and shipping costs, and not get a better result.

 

[cgasner1]

Check out the sirui heads. They won’t break the bank they have fluid heads I switched from same one you have couple years ago and love it. Can’t kill what you can’t find it’s a cheap investment in yourself

 

[Irrelevant]

Yeah... dry lube def didn't work. Wet lube also didn't work. Not sure I want to try grease. I think the amount of shavings had a lot to do with the deterioration in performance.

I looked at the sirui heads, definitely in the running, but so is is this guy:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09C89QPR6/ref=sw_img_1?smid=A22PRX6WI8E2K6&psc=1

it's ~1/3 the weight and 1/3 the cost.

 

[cgasner1]

Yeah... dry lube def didn't work. Wet lube also didn't work. Not sure I want to try grease. I think the amount of shavings had a lot to do with the deterioration in performance.

I looked at the sirui heads, definitely in the running, but so is is this guy:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09C89QPR6/ref=sw_img_1?smid=A22PRX6WI8E2K6&psc=1

it's ~1/3 the weight and 1/3 the cost.

Let me look when I get home I may still have that tri pod if I do I’ll mail you the head for postage cost

 

[cgasner1]

Believe I may have donated the entire tripod already but I can give you a leupold ball head it’s brand new I upgraded and put a sirui head on it

 

[Malta899]

White lithium grease is fine. It is rated LB, so it will be applicable in lots of situations. Keeps them in great shape.