Who here does their own tribrach repairs?
Where do you get the parts? I did a quick search, but it didn't stand out to me right away where to get the parts.
It ends up costing us about $250 to get one fixed, and I can buy one new (Topcon) for $350. Not saying they are charging too much, but it can't be that difficult if...
...parts are easily available
...and it doesn't take too many specialized tools
Did you replace or even check the felt pads near the top of the brass threads?
dmyhill, post: 191009, member: 1137 wrote: Who here does their own tribrach repairs?
Where do you get the parts? I did a quick search, but it didn't stand out to me right away where to get the parts.
It ends up costing us about $250 to get one fixed, and I can buy one new (Topcon) for $350. Not saying they are charging too much, but it can't be that difficult if...
Did you ever find a source for repair parts and info? I just tried taking a tribrach apart and managed to bust it up in all sorts of ways. Doesn't look to be something that is intended to be taken apart except with detailed instructions.
dmyhill, post: 191009, member: 1137 wrote: Who here does their own tribrach repairs?
Where do you get the parts? I did a quick search, but it didn't stand out to me right away where to get the parts.
It ends up costing us about $250 to get one fixed, and I can buy one new (Topcon) for $350. Not saying they are charging too much, but it can't be that difficult if...
...parts are easily available
...and it doesn't take too many specialized tools
Did you ever find a source for repair parts and info? I just tried taking a tribrach apart and managed to bust it up in all sorts of ways. Doesn't look to be something that is intended to be taken apart except with detailed instructions.
Big Al, post: 378695, member: 837 wrote: Did you ever find a source for repair parts and info? I just tried taking a tribrach apart and managed to bust it up in all sorts of ways. Doesn't look to be something that is intended to be taken apart except with detailed instructions.
No, I did not...
I guess you have to be factory trained, have the factory tools, and the factory service manuals. Maybe there's a secret handshake too.
Old Howard Close of Close Instrument Repair in Seattle on 4th next door to the Fire Station and across the street from two bells used to repair tribrachs for a reasonable price, the last time I dropped in he was 92 and getting ready to retire. You could try him if you are downtown and he is still in business, he was waiting for the property to be developed so it may just be a hole in the ground now.
Maybe the Tribrachs from Trimble are similar to Topcon.
Here is the Accessories Maintenance manual from Trimble:
Trimble Accessories Maintenance manual.pdf
See page112-120 and 214-217.
Thanks, Party Chef, for the suggestions. I used to live out in Olympia, WA but never met Howard Close. I might see if I can track him down.
Mike, I wish I had that sort of a manual for the Sokkia tribrach. Though similar I suppose, there are some key differences. The first step in disassembling the Trimble tribrach is to remove the cap on the top of each footscrew. Well, several weeks ago, and without a manual, I had thought the same might be true for my Sokkia tribrach. All I managed to do was to scratch up the cap with a pair of pliers. I concluded it was not meant to be removed.
Then I studied it some more, and noticed an aluminum ring above the center of the lower plate of the tribrach. It looked like if I would remove the ring, I could remove the cover over the lower plate, and thus separate the two halves of the tribrach. It looked like it was attached by machine screw, and so I tried rotating it (again, with a pair of pliers, damaging the surface) but it didn't come off. Then on very detailed inspection I noticed a recessed hole with a very very small allen set screw, and purchased a fine set of allen wrenches and was able to extract the set screw. Still have not managed to get that aluminum ring off.
Then I read a description of how to separate a Leica tribrach, turning the leveling screws clockwise until they meet resistance, and then continuing to turn the leveling screws clockwise past the point of resistance, and ultimately separating the two halves. When I turned past the point of resistance I heard a cracking sound, like plastic breaking, but continued, at this point disgusted by my complete destruction of what was formerly a good tribrach. Upon getting near to the point of separation of the two halves, felt quite a bit of resistance, and then a snapping sound, which upon inspection after getting the two halves apart was probably the point at which a small diameter metal rod running in the center of the screw axis snapped.
At this point, I'm pretty sure that a repair of this tribrach would cost as much as a new one, and I can blame no one but myself for it. Though I will say, it would have helped immensely if I had instructions on how to disassemble the Sokkia tribrach. I had searched for such instructions online prior to doing all this, and didn't find anything. I'm sure they exist, but perhaps only in the offices of certified Sokkia repair facilities?
Iå«m sorry for your dead tribrach...
Maybe at this page you can find service repair manuals:
http://www.autolevel.com/
At page 1 you can search for:
"Survey instruments Repair manuals - SAM 1/19/2016, 13:37:51"
This guy says he can provide repair manuals. He offered the manuals several times at the page above.
I made contact once, but the manuals were to expensive for me...
Maybe you can get some pages for you Topcon tribrach for some $$.
But please be careful and use your brain before you send money to someone from the internet!
Like i said i did not make a deal with him, so it is at your risk, but maybe a chance.
Thanks, Mike, good suggestion. I'll see what comes of it!
