Tripod Leg Sticks, Help Please

[Rodney9]

Hello,

My Velbon Sherpa 250R/F tripod has one leg that will slowly get tight in two of the three sections over a few weeks.
The bottom section yesterday became completely stuck in and the next section was getting tighter.
After continually trying to pull it out last night, this morning and this afternoon it finally came free and now inexplicably, but happily, both sections move freely.
Should I do anything to prevent this happening again ?

Thanks,
Rodney

[Rodney9]

Well I rang the photography store where i bought it from and they said to use WD40.

I'd be a little worried getting oil all over my camera, lens etc.

Any opinions ?

[mithrandir]

Use spray silicon lubricant. Just spray and wipe it off. It won't get all over everything.

[SOldBear]

Have a woodworker friend?

Furniture wax works best. It lubricates, but does not attract dust nor become sticky.

You can also use automotive wax.

[snostorm]

Hi Rodney,

My guess is that there was some debris inside the legs -- and it got into a tight tolerance area misaligning the legs. I'd consider disassembling the leg if this might be the case, since the piece might still be in there -- waiting to jam things up again at an inopportune time, of course.

Scott

[Ratmagiclady]

Yeah, I'd not put WD-40, nor silicone, anywhere near where your hands might transfer any of it near optics. These won't necessarily be compatible with any existing lubricant, anyway. The wax option isn't bad, actually. First thing I might try, though, is actually just a bit of mineral oil, next choice non-corrosive gun-oil, to be wiped off as much as you can after working it back and forth.

Tri-Flo, also a panacaea, could be OK, but it'll need plenty of time and effort to wipe off exposed surfaces and let its volatiles go away before it comes near lenses and such. There's Teflon in it, though. Which'll probably get in there and work OK.