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2023From a Facebook group: Steadicam operators group

Play in the gimbal head of a Tiffen M2 with Volt body: causes and tightening procedure

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

What the thread found

  • The most common cause is a loosened thread on the upper bearing cap; tightening it eliminates the play.
  • The matching specialist tool (Blue Whale Tool) normally ships with the rig; it can be reordered from the manufacturer's support in case of used purchase.
  • Recommendation: open the gimbal in a dust-free environment, tighten all components up to the pan bearing, and reassemble firmly—this is a procedure every operator should be able to perform.
  • Some play is normal; tightening the small set screws on the gimbal collar noticeably reduces wobbling.

Depends on

  • Operators disagree on the threshold for acceptable play versus the need for immediate opening and tightening.

Gear in this thread

Voltcatalog

Parts

Gimbal Bearing

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Original thread on Facebook (group members only)Ask about this threadThe answer cites the archive