Do you grease your balls?

turbotoes

turbotoes

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Tara
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No
and if so what with?
I am of course talking about a ball head. Specifically a manfrotto 488 rc2 ball head. I presume at some point it will need a lub job and wondered what to use. Something that is heat proof, ie: won't go all runny and yuck when the temps start to rise?
 
Personally I never have but a mate uses silicone cycle grease (sort of clear white stuff) he swears by it. Wayne
 
The Manfrotto ball head's are Teflon coated and are not supposed to be lubricated. The whole point is that they work on a friction lock basis. All you should ever need to do is give them a wipe with a clean cloth :)
 
I have Kirk and RRS Ball heads and have never found a need to lubricate either. The Kirk ive had for 3 years now:)
 
Grendel, my 488 is greased, bought new, arrived that way, that's why I asked about it. It works brilliantly so the grease seems to have no ill effects.
Thanks Wayne, will bear that in mind.
 
turbotoes said:
Grendel, my 488 is greased, bought new, arrived that way, that's why I asked about it. It works brilliantly so the grease seems to have no ill effects.
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Yeah I'm pretty sure mine is greased too. I'm going from memory, as I don't have access to it right now, but I'm sure the manual says the heads are maintenance-free and shouldn't be lubricated with anything.
 
Grendel said:
Yeah I'm pretty sure mine is greased too. I'm going from memory, as I don't have access to it right now, but I'm sure the manual says the heads are maintenance-free and shouldn't be lubricated with anything.
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The manual does indeed specifically say that the head is maintenance free and should not be greased - which is a bit odd seeing as all my Manfrotto ball heads have arrived swimming in what would appear to be grease.
 
Gofer said:
The manual does indeed specifically say that the head is maintenance free and should not be greased - which is a bit odd seeing as all my Manfrotto ball heads have arrived swimming in what would appear to be grease.
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lol perhaps they believe they have supplied them with enough grease to last a lifetime!
 
Neil, If that was the case wouldn't there be instructions to clean it off when bought if it's not needed when in use?
Wayne
 
My Giottos has no mention of needing to grease your balls.

Rather childishly, the box does mention a "specially designed flange to prevent slippage when shooting vertically" :lol:
 
Do you grease your balls :lol::lol::lol:

I am of course talking about a ball head. (didnt make it sound any better):lol:

I presume at some point it will need a lub job and wondered what to use. (Please stop before i wet myself) :lol:

won't go all runny and yuck when the temps start to rise? (God..You are killing me) :lol:

Personally I never have but a mate uses silicone cycle grease (sort of clear white stuff)..(i hate you all now.):lol:

All you should ever need to do is give them a wipe with a clean cloth. (Giggity Giggity Gig)..:lol:

"specially designed flange to prevent slippage when shooting vertically" (oh for the love of God..Please Stop). :lol:

I wish people wouldnt post threads like this. I watch way too much Family Guy to even remotely be serious on things like this.
 
Thanks for the input all, I must admit I have never read the manual for the ball head :bonk:. I shall go and find it and peruse to reduce the chance of further silly questions :thumbs:

Tara
 
I wax mine every so often to stop it sticking.
 
I used to have greasy balls but after a lot of playing it wore away and other than a bit more friction, to be honest i've not noticed any difference.
 
Dont do it. You'll loose all its grip. They need to be clean but not lubricated.
 
i dont lube my ball head, it was slightly greasy but thats gone and not found any problems
 
If your balls are dry and unmanageable
Try knacker laquer
It adds lustre to your cluster
 
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