I get my bipods wet regularly. They are a continual source of sticking, and not working quite right.
I have finally got a solution.
Take the leg apart, and add a teaspoon of kerosene to each one. Kerosene is an oil, with an evaporation rate. Which makes it penetrate where its needed. And, clean occasionally too.
Where the leg attaches to the top, and there is a screw holding the pivot, add superglue to the threads.
Quite happy.
N
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I'll try that, all three of my 2M gnss tripods need service. I use a dry wax lubricant that keeps them sliding, but they stick at the ends and are hard at release. Kerosene is old school and Climate Alarmist would hate me using it.
Where the leg attaches to the top, and there is a screw holding the pivot, add superglue to the threads
Does this fix the issue of the legs getting loose and tending to want to slip?
Does this fix the issue of the legs getting loose and tending to want to slip?
You have 2 questions there.
1.) Does this fix the issue of the legs getting loose? YES.
2.) getting loose and tending to want to slip? YES.
And, I think unless there are damaged parts, that it works better than new.
Nate
Bipods are a necessary evil. No matter the brand it takes time to keep them in adjustment and care maintenance. Thanks for posting. I had taken an old beat up set and took them apart and cleaned them with break cleaner to get all the grime off then it was a process adding different lubes and always a battle. I never thought of kerosene and will have to try. I have tried a mixture of diesel/farm use and added a little olive oil mixed rubbed it down with my finger on the parts like springs and such. They were very beat up set and the springs were beat up. This will have to be tried for sure. Thanks Nate.
Source for kerosene:
Most any hardware store.
Atwoods
Tsc
Lowes
Bldg supply
Home depot
But, you may have some in an old kerosene lamp.
N
Loctite works very well for threads.
The problem I have with bipods is that the plunger at the lower end is aluminum and the threaded rod is (usually) brass. Those dissimilar metals tend to corrode in short order and fuse - making adjustments impossible. I have used loctite on those threads which prevents the corrosion, but also prevents easy adjustments. I have also tried anti-seize lubricant, which seems to work almost too well and the plunger won't stay in place.
I have brought several bipods back to life with repair kits from SECO - replacement threaded rod, plunger, and spring. Not cheap but a lot less than a new bipod.
I take mine apart and coat the threads with brake caliper grease (high temp silicone paste). It stays put and slows down if not stops the corrosion with the added benefit of having the adjustment work.
I just bought 3 kits for about the price of one bi-pod.
Bipods are a necessary evil
So true. I hate the damn things when I'm loaded up and carrying through the woods. But they're needed.
I usually take the stamping-in disks off since they don't work on soft ground with lots of grass, plants or roots, and they're always catching on things. I just push them in with my hands. Wish someone would have the bright idea and make them a foot up from the end
We use garage door lubricant. It works well.
It penetrates, has rust inhibitors, lubes with silicone, and coats with teflon.
Once a year treatment, or every 6 months if you work in the rain/snow/mud a lot.
Wish someone would have the bright idea and make them a foot up from the end
That's very do-able. There are bonding agents, to bond a large flat washer, anywhere you like, on the bipod leg. Chevrolet had glue on door hinges 25 yrs ago. I'd like some of that glue..... To bond the flat washer where I want.
Or, buy a 1 ft mini pole, and extend the bi-pod, as you see fit.
Now you got me to thinking. I'd like a smaller "big washer", and a longer spike, but maybe only an inch longer.....
Thanks!
N
I'm just the idea man. I'll leave it for someone else to run with
But if we see Seco come up with that design soon, you all know where the idea came from, so I should expect to see royalties, right
@norman-oklahoma thanks for this video. After all these decades, I just learned something new at -0:48 to -0:28 in the video.
Rock on!
Wish someone would have the bright idea and make them a foot up from the end
You might want to try swapping out the washers for 2-piece shaft collars (in acetal for lighter weight).
I have 8' vials on my rods. SECO bipod legs seem to be adjustable in 13' increments. Takes WAAAYAYYY longer to plumb the rod than get the shot
