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Help! Removing PL Mount

Billy McCannon

Billy McCannon

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I'm trying to replace the PL mount with a Nikon. The hex screws are proving impossible to remove with the provided key. Neither are damaged at this point but I can't get enough traction to budge some of the screws. As hard as I press down the hex key pops out when I apply pressure.

I can't find any threads where I know this problem has been dealt with before.

Any idea?
 
The eight screws shown here on the mount are Torx Plus IP10 (at least on my camera):

Torx+.jpg


You may want to look into getting one of these (third tool down from the top) if you're going to change the mount often:

http://www.wihatools.com/300seri/363pstar.htm

Hope this helps...
 
Older RED PL Mount / Seized Hex Screws

Older RED PL Mount / Seized Hex Screws

What's the status of this issue with the older RED PL mounts? The hex screws are *impossible* to remove. I damaged my custom removal tool attempting this. I RED replacing or repairing these older PL mounts?

I would STRONGLY advise against anyone attempting to drill out the screws. Unless you are a very skilled machinist, and have a good milling machine with an accurate DRO, a rigid setup to hold the part, and a way to find the exact center of each screw, success is highly unlikely. And don't even THINK about trying to drill out screws with a hand held drill. That would be a recipe for disaster. Setup for a job like that has to be absolutely rigid.

I've drilled out broken screws before on ARRI cameras. What I've done is drill out just under the minor diameter of the screw thread. The screw "collapses" and I can pick out the steel thread pieces. This leaves an untouched aluminum internal thread. I use a carbide drill, cutting lube and high RPM. Centering to .001 inch or less is critical.

I've developed a procedure to safely get the PL mount off even if the screws are seized. If anyone in the South Florida area (or is willing to ship their camera) needs this done, get in touch with me.
 
I would STRONGLY advise against anyone attempting to drill out the screws
Click to expand...

I agree with you, but, I think most people on the forum are refering to useing a bolt extractor kit, which requires useing a special bit to just drill a shallow pit into the head of the machine screw. If they are going to stick a bit in a dewalt and attack their mount, well people who would do such a thing shouldn't have a Red anyway, call it natural selection ;-)

Cheers,

Nick
 
CinemaTechnic said:
What's the status of this issue with the older RED PL mounts? The hex screws are *impossible* to remove. I damaged my custom removal tool attempting this. I RED replacing or repairing these older PL mounts?

I would STRONGLY advise against anyone attempting to drill out the screws. Unless you are a very skilled machinist, and have a good milling machine with an accurate DRO, a rigid setup to hold the part, and a way to find the exact center of each screw, success is highly unlikely. And don't even THINK about trying to drill out screws with a hand held drill. That would be a recipe for disaster. Setup for a job like that has to be absolutely rigid.

I've drilled out broken screws before on ARRI cameras. What I've done is drill out just under the minor diameter of the screw thread. The screw "collapses" and I can pick out the steel thread pieces. This leaves an untouched aluminum internal thread. I use a carbide drill, cutting lube and high RPM. Centering to .001 inch or less is critical.

I've developed a procedure to safely get the PL mount off even if the screws are seized. If anyone in the South Florida area (or is willing to ship their camera) needs this done, get in touch with me.
Click to expand...

Jorge,

You don't use a hand drill for removing camed out screws? That surprises me. Real men use hand held impact drills for that kind of work. lol
But seriously folks pay heed to what the man says here or you WILL find yourself in a world of grief.
 
The mounts currently use Torx Plus screws. The proper driver is an IP10 (sometimes labeled TP10) Torx Plus Driver.
 
Hey folks...I ran into this same issues and kmhuse pointed me to my solution,

"McMaster Carr has Torx Plus drivers in stock (L-key & driver style).

http://www.mcmaster.com

Type page 2797 into the 'catalog page' field and scroll down toward the bottom. IP10 L-keys (3726A27) are under $3, driver style (5259A15) is under $5.

McMaster is a great resource for many different hardware type items."

I could not find that driver anywhere so I ended up ordering it from McMasters and they shipped right away. Solid driver, I also ordered the L tool version for back up...now I can see why RED switched to torx plus, the system feels solid when screwing and unscrewing etc...I felt very comfortable removing them, no slipping etc.

The Nikon mount is very simple to install ONCE you get around the small wire plug issue, watch the youtube video but you will notice you need to tuck this plug away properly and its connected wires so you dont pinch them when mounting, you will see what I am talking about when you get there. Hope this helps. Maybe I will make a video showing how I installed the nikon mount.
 
billymc said:
It's not a torx - it's a hex. My number 820 so I guess they changed them at some point.
Click to expand...

Go to page 2789 pf McMaster Carr and scroll to bottom page for Allen hi torque T handle wrenches.

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Oh crap, I just noticed that you in Ireland. They don't ship (or didn't use to anyways) overseas.
But the info might be handy.
 
billymc,

If you go to replace your standard Allen screws with Torx Plus types, be sure they are at least a class 8.8 or better yet class 10.9 quality screws. And also remember that flat head screws are measured by overall length as opposed to all other head types which are measured from the bottom of the head to the end of the screw.
 
Had trouble removing mine to install an OCT-19 mount. The screws were hex, and not very deep, so they almost stripped. Have been looking for an OCT-19 mounted zoom lens, so I don't have to keep changing mounts.
 
chuck colburn said:
Go to page 2789 pf McMaster Carr and scroll to bottom page for Allen hi torque T handle wrenches.

http://www.mcmaster.com/
Click to expand...

Any idea what size? I'm trying to get ready for the Birger Mount and make sure I have the right tools. Since I am 516, I would think mine would be the same as Billymc's.

Billymc, if you help me find the right tool for the job, I can order two and ship one to you if you can't order it directly!
 
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