2012General Discussion forum
Separating stuck screw-together weights on lightweight camera rigs
14 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Wrapping weights in a towel and striking them against the floor can separate stuck weights.
- Twisting and unscrewing using a gentle rotation technique can work for stuck weights.
- Applying light grease or oil to the threads before reassembly prevents weights from jamming together.
- Heating the outer nut portion with boiling water can free seized threads, though a blowtorch risks discoloring the metal.
- Using two strap wrenches provides grip without damaging the weight surfaces.
- Tapping the seam between two stuck weights with another weight while holding in the palm, combined with gradual turning, can gradually loosen them.
- Using two vise grips can separate stuck weights but may leave marks on the metal.
Depends on
- The exact equipment model is not definitively established in the thread, though Merlin and other lightweight rigs are mentioned.
- Heating methods require careful handling to avoid injury or damage.
- No systematic comparison of effectiveness between different separation methods was provided.
- The long-term outcomes of using different separation techniques were not discussed.