Velbon VMATE-607/F Tripod - Broken Leg Lock

-Providing that the image shown is the tripod you own..., the top leg lock levers on each leg is designed to lock the spreader angle of each leg.
-If this is not holding the leg at the correct angle...., either you are putting more weight on it than it was designed to hold..., or the 'cam' on the various locks has worn.
-A 'stop gap' fix for this problem is to insert a very thin wedge between the lever & the leg tube..., thus providing a greater amount of pressure on the tube, (this would need to be done every time the tripod is set up).
-Replacement parts are not available for this tripod & they were not designed to be user serviceable ...., sorry!!!
Peter

Ross
-It is possible that you are overloading the tripod, thus causing this problem (check specs on tripod model)
HOWEVER IF YOU AREN'T....Giotto uses (2) different leg lock designs..., quick release (normally adjusted by a socket wrench) or rotary (screw locks)!
- If tripod uses screw locks, sometimes foreign material gets into the mechanism and either damages it or prohibits from tightening!!!!!
Note: rotary locks are easy to maintain & if you need parts..., they are user replaceable and usually inexpensive! (contact Giottos distributor in the country you live in)!!!
BUT FIRST!!!! (often problem is caused by dirty lock mechanism)
-carefully unscrew the leg lock (that is slipping) until it separates from the leg higher leg section & carefully pull out the lower tube (at the top of the lower tube will be 'shims' that are part of the lock mechanism).
-Look closely at existing 'shims' do they show signs of cracking, of a build up of dirt, etc. (if damaged they will need to be replaced)
-if shims are undamaged..., use rubbing alcohol & a clean cloth to clean shims and both the tube they sit on and the inside of the tube they slide into.
-once both sides of the tubes and both male & female threads of the locking mechanism are cleaned..., place a light coating of a light oil into the threads (sewing machine oil, bike chain oil, etc)...., do not get oil on the shims!!!!!
-replace locking shims back into position and carefully slide leg tube back into place..., then screw locking collar on (this should not take any force..., if while threading lock collar back on..., it seems tight..., back off collar and check positioning of shims). Repeat procedure!!!
TEST RESULTS!!!
Note: in most cases with rotary locks, problem is purely a maintenance issue, cleaning usually fixes the issue!!!
Peter

They were not made to be serviced. They were made to be disposable essentially, but you might contact the folks at B&H to see if they may have a solution.

Otherwise depending how it broke, it might be able to be cemented, or reconfigured to accept a different type of clamp. I had a no name type of tripod that required some caredul filing to restore a lip on a clamp so it would lock after the original lip snapped off.

If you're in the UK or Ireland, contact Velbon here. For the rest of the world, contact them here.

leg locking mechanism of the leg is failed,so replace the broken part to get it locked.

hi there, i think you can obtain the parts directly from Hakuba USA. www.hakubausa.com they're the USA distributers for Velbon and will actually repair it... if you can't by simply replacing a part. also a phone # 1-800-423-1623 and a seperate # 800-886-2236 to order quick release plates.

Assuming you still have the female part with the treads in tact, you can do what I did. I used a hose clamp, the kind used on radiators, but larger. First, take off the lock down knob, then put the hose clamp over the broken plastic housing and mark where the knob would screw through. Then remove the hose clamp, placing it on a sturdy surface and use a 5/16 drill bit to make a hole where the lock down know will pass through. Place the hose clamp over the plastic housing, insert the knob, tighten the hose clamp (but not so much that it restricts the tripod leg from moving) and you are done! I can send you pictures of the process and the final result. It saved me from buying a new tripod! I can be e-mailed at [email protected] if you have questions.
-Spencer

yes with the original plastic locks. "junk" go to ace and you will find some differant lock slides. I did and they are not plastic!

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/james_1cb31da1bc8c6102

take it apart, there is a rubber ring like a belt or rubber band, either broken or missing. you will have to find a relacement for that, may have to take apart another leg to have one to compare, course I don't honestly know where you will find that piece. too take it apart just keep spinning the lock counterclockwise until it comes off. good luck.

On the velbon vgb 3, the leg locks consist of a lever, one or two pieces of metal and a plastic piece. The metal and plastic pieces rest in a depression against the lever. When the lever is pulled out, pressure against the smaller leg section is released. When the lever is pushed in, pressure against the smaller leg section is exerted, locking the legs in place. On the back side of each joint, there is a phillips head screw which acts as a stop to keep the leg section from coming all the way out. When the screw is backed out, the leg section can be removed, exposing the latching mechanism. If the only problem is that the latch mechanism came apart, it can simply be reassembled. If, however, something broke and allowed the latch assemby to come apart, that will have to be dealt with as well. My guess is that the phillips screw may have become loose, and the latch came apart.