How to fix a damaged tripod thread - camera repair

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Recently I had a problem with one of my threads on the camera stripping to the point where it wouldn't hold anything.
If you ever had a problem like this, then you know how frustrating it is to have a perfectly working camera except no way of mounting it on a tripod. Or like in my case I couldn't securely attach the top handle.
I had to fix this myself, which turned out to be a lot faster and cheaper than I thought. Here is the video where I show you what I did.
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My name is Tom Antos. I am a film director and cinematographer with over 15 years experience in VFX & animation.
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[@DavidBesnette]

Maybe I missed it but what is the hammering at the end accomplishing? Thank you

[@berts6943]

I own a Sony FDR-AX53 camcorder for 1.5 years. and have already encountered two times a damaged bottom plate of the camera. The plastic material around the tripod thread is severely cracked; the nut almost comes out. I use a Manfrotto 323 quick release plate mounted on the camera. Although this release plate does not support the camera bottom plate close around the tripod hole, i never had problems using this plate on my other camera's. Did you someway heard of this issue with the FDR-AX53? It seems to me as a faulty design of the bottom plate.

[@Goldeon8007]

what if those screw threads go broken, I have a Canon Legria fr or what is it 46 or something and I have a plastic thread

[@SteadiSijy]

Hi sir, Which compony steadicam do u used? How much cost? Send me all details plzz

[@bobuk5722]

Hi folks. Inserts come in different lengths. Take care if tapping new thread, you don't want metal chips inside the camera. Grease on the tap is an old trick to stop that. Not so worrying if top plate is plastic. Make sure tap goes in at right angles to top plate, ideally use a guide and go gently. The turn and back action is very important, it breaks the chips. It is possible to break the tang with thin needle nose pliers. Hold camera upside down if doing that, don't want that metal tang in camera either. Not a problem with a 'blind' hole, of course. Take care, try and find someone who, has done this before. Bob.

[@harrymultimedia]

hopefully you can help me out,how do i remove a broken thread from my blackmagic production camera ..please help

[@clickchatt]

i love your work and i have learned alot from you thanks

[@booomznooodle]

This heli coil springs are normally used for holes in plates. For your situation there are som bolts called ensat they are better. Cause you don't have to punch something in your camera.

[@tanishqshetty7365]

I have a red helium 8k camera will it apply

[@andrellewellyn8063]

Hi Tom what Tripod do you use

[@mopkrayz]

very useful video. learnt something new today!

[@Mindset.Cinematics]

oh god you saved me a lot of money. Thanks dude!!!

[@Joshua-iz1go]

Bless you, sir! Can't find this info anywhere else for some reason. My gimbal handle thread is broken and I have beek trying to find a fix. I actually bought one of these repair kits, but it was the wrong size and I was going to give up on it because the drillbit looked like overkill, but I'ma try again now after watching this.

[@ishashah7028]

was your gimbal the ronin s? happened to mine

[@Joshua-iz1go]

@@ishashah7028 Weebil S actually. The 1/4" repair kit worked for me and I was very relieved. The 1/4" repair inserts are actually physically about 3/8th" wide, as is the thread on my gimbal, so it confused me as to which kit to buy. The extra width in the gimbal is to allow the repair thread to be inserted. But after installed, the diameter of the hole itself is 1/4" and accepts all standard 1/4" screws. This is standard for a 1/4" mount I suppose, but I couldn't find any info on it. So, if you have 1/4" thread with a removable insert, the actual diameter of the hole without the insert is close to 3/8" (but 3/8" things don't fit in there!) Only 1/4" repair threads will fit in there.

[@ishashah7028]

@@Joshua-iz1go I ordered that one and it worked! I was gonna give up at first but got it in easy, thank you!

[@CJDuckett]

Was it the thread coil on the bottom grip of the Weebill S that came out? Cause that’s what mine did. Glad to see I’m not alone with this issue. But now it makes me wonder if that’s a manufacturer issue if it’s more than a couple of cases about the same thing.

[@j-smack4147]

@@CJDuckett Yes it was, it got caught on and came out with the removable handle/tripod base of the weebil s one time when I unscrewed it. As I recall I had to dismantle the tripod to be able to properly dislodge the insert thread from the handle/tripod's mounting screw. The problem seems to happen if you screw the handle in too tightly to the weeble.

[@dean9504]

what is the with of a screw

[@FlyfisherFilm]

Thank you for the tip:) Do you think this technique will work for Canon cameras? Or other DSLR? In my case is the camera mount for my samsung NX1 but its the same standard as Canon 5D Mark ii.

[@ambrojo]

Have you fixed on your Samsung NX1? I have the same problem now. Was easy to do it?

[@BAdventures]

Good DIY and fix, but bad thread mount design. For such an expensive piece of equipment the manufacturer could have put in threaded metal pillars.

[@taydo2245]

thanks a lot! very helpful!!!

[@TKthiagoX]

thanks! i have same problem...

[@mantra4ia]

very helpful, thank you.

[@Aviatorspot]

I have a broken 1/4" to 3/8" insert inside my Manfrotto MH502AH head. How to I remove the insert from the tripod hole? What tool I required? The tripod has a 3/8" thread hole.

[@vhsopdvd]

You can do either of 2 things: 1: Use a drill with diameter Ø7,9mm Max or Ø5/16" Max Start with slightly smaller diameter dril. After drilling try to get out the remaining peaces of thread from the insert. If this did not work 2: Use a simular toolset as shown in the video but for UNC 3/8-16 thread.

[@DreamLegacyMarketing]

Bro this video saved me! lol thanks!

[@harman5518]

how to edit raw video files

[@clickchatt]

just a QUICK up head about hitting the thread locker DONT HIT IT WHILE ITS STILL ON TOP OF THE CAMERA CUZ YOU MIGHT DAMAGE THE SENSOR OR SOMETHING ELSE

[@vhsopdvd]

Better way... screw in a longer screw to break it off, NO hammering required,

[@greigannie1256]

Hello, what size of the set i need to order as there are lot .

[@TomAntos]

the 1/4-20 size

[@iiCaptain]

That’s a big ass camera. But great tip, helped me fix my vixia.

[@rwbishop]

Why not real 'Heli Coil' insert kits as opposed to these knock off's? Also, I'd send the camera in and have the sockets replaced... busting of the coil tangs on the camera is very risky in my opinion...

[@vijayvisualconceptsvvc6654]

nice tips...

[@Zehahahaa]

Tom in your opinion which camera would you buy that has the best cinematic look in your opinion to shoot Short films under $6,000 if you had to choose

[@nystro0m]

is slowmotion or 4k important? Or both?

[@Zehahahaa]

Måns Nyström no not really but it would be great to have it tho but shooting under low light

[@TomAntos]

URSA Mini 4.6K

[@Zehahahaa]

Tom Antos thank you man ! Love your videos btw Thanks for all the info

[@mopkrayz]

you also need to consider the cost of batteries etc... I was going to get the Ursa 4K but because I had 0 accessories I ended up getting the JVC Ls300

[@MarcusWolschon]

Why some strange insert? Drill the hole and then use --3-- successive 3/8" hand-taps (the third because it's a blind hole), indert a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter and voila, you have a 1/4"-20 UNC thread.

[@MarcusWolschon]

Brisdad53 you do know that 3/8 is wider then 1/4?

[@ishashah7028]

This helped fix my ronin s gimbal instead of ordering a £70 new battery grip!

[@sergefilm]

did it work? i have the same issue :(

[@CJDuckett]

I have the same issue

[@naruhina6772]

Tripod screw size for eos 700d please

[@scry1888]

1/4 inch tripod mount

[@vhsopdvd]

UNC 1/4-20

[@xxsaturn1234]

Is there a solution to a broken plastic thread?

[@Edgard422]

Yes, tap a wider thread and use an adapter. Or you can fill it with liquid plastic (you can dissolve a similar plastic in acetone and pour it carefully), and then drill and tap again.

[@scotttovey]

I have a camera with that very problem. I'm thinking of using a brass thread insert to fix mine. Seems less hassle, just drill out a hole a bit and screw in the brass insert. Hammer not required.

[@michaeltebinka]

I wouldn't recommend anyone to use a hammer to repair their camera. There must be better ways to fix this issue - and if you are rigging the camera so heavily, use some form of cage to ease the strain away from the camera body itself.

[@poti732]

THANKS , I WAS AFRAID THE WHOLE TIME.

[@LameDestiny]

is 1/4 same as M6 screw size?

[@cueclub4513]

Yes.

[@TimAskerov]

Not every M6 is the right fit as I discovered myself after trying to fix the stripped threads on my camera using this tutorial and a M6x1 tap kit. It turns out M6x0.75 is a proper fit.

[@LINZEXSTUDIOS]

Thanks bro, these screws have a fucking shit of design, i broken 2 times the originals with a grip ...