newzhack Posted May 4, 2017 Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 I have a VDB that I bought in the mid 90's and both of the larger sections have always been stiff. Does anyone know how to take one of these apart? I want to see what is binding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Rillie Posted May 4, 2017 Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 IIRC, you unscrew the soft rubber bumper at bottom of boom, and all the pieces come out through the opened bottom, after removing each collar, starting with the top section? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted May 4, 2017 Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 I hope this video to help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newzhack Posted May 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 thanks. It looks like I will need to remove the internal coil cord to do that, off to the work bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newzhack Posted May 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 I have the pole apart now, I washed the two largest sections with warm water and detergent, they were pretty dirty. There is still a lot of stiction with the two bushings. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newzhack Posted May 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 Well, there was a day spent. After looking at it closely the locking collar had shrunk. Who knows why but they did. Finally tried some emery cloth then ended up with a rat tail file and took abut 1 thousandth off. After it was roughed up I could slide the section thru and the friction would mark the high spot and then work very carefully with the file, I did this a number of times. I used a small brake cylinder hone to smooth it out after getting a smooth action. Quite a chore but the pole works perfectly now. That coil cord was a bit of a wrestle to get into place. I fed a very flexible wire thru the top then soldered the tips together with some shrink wrap. I then pulled it thru and was back in business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thanks for sharing! I have a vdb that spent too much time near a lamp so one section melted a bit, which makes it hard to extend. Might try a bit of your filing approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 21 hours ago, VAS said: I hope this video to help you. Geez Louise, I do like a shallow focus product video. This video is showing us the newer 1/4 turn locking poles as opposed to the older ones with threaded locking sections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 The new locks look great assuming that the sections don't spin when locked, a problem I had with my last Vdb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 The brake hone is a great idea. I think one reason vDBs (at least) get sticky is that the sections get slightly bent with use (that really windy exterior with a shotgun in a zep while fully extended, or being stepped on etc). I'm very glad to hear that with some work (or more work than I've tried) they can be rescued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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