WC Top Handle Stuck! HELP!!!

[Max L.]

Upon recent discovery, when trying to remove the Wooden Camera Top Handle that I recently picked up I found that it was pretty much stuck on there. I mounted it directly to the tapped holes on the top of my Scarlet.

I've tried everything, using heat, a hammer and my pure strength yet it still won't budge.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, thanks!!!!

 

[Bob Gundu]

How strange. Did you use the provided screws? Do you remember over tightening them?

 

[Chris McKechnie]

Try pushing down on the handle and moving it side to side.

 

[Max L.]

How strange. Did you use the provided screws? Do you remember over tightening them?

Used the provided screws, only tightened them about an 1/8th of a turn past snug

 

[Max L.]

Try pushing down on the handle and moving it side to side.

Just tried that, still nothing!

 

[Jason Comparetto]

Its actually not as crazy as it sounds. What happens sometimes is that the helicoiled threaded holes at the top of the Scarlet can come undone, and can create a situation where it essentially "binds". Sometimes tightening it up, and then loosening it will help.

 

[Jeff Whitehurst]

There's threaded inserts in the holes on top of the camera. My guess is they turned out of the body when you tightened your top handle down, threading themselves up into the top handle and locking the handle to the body.
Look down into the holes you used for the top handle, do you see something that looks like the picture below above the level of the top of the body?

 

[Max L.]

Its actually not as crazy as it sounds. What happens sometimes is that the helicoiled threaded holes at the top of the Scarlet can come undone, and can create a situation where it essentially "binds". Sometimes tightening it up, and then loosening it will help.

The screws are locked in. I can't tighten them, nor (obviously) loosen them

 

[Max L.]

There's threaded inserts in the holes on top of the camera. My guess is they turned out of the body when you tightened your top handle down, threading themselves up into the top handle and locking the handle to the body.
Look down into the holes you used for the top handle, do you see something that looks like the picture below above the level of the top of the body?

There's nothing to look down at, all 5 of the holes are covered by the handle

 

[Jeff Whitehurst]

There's nothing to look down at, all 5 of the holes are covered by the handle

Ok, I thought you already had the screws out. You are saying your screws themselves are stuck? If so, that sounds like maybe they are too long and may be jammed into the brain itself, or like Jason said you could have the inserts jammed up against the base of the handle.

 

[Max L.]

Ok, I thought you already had the screws out. You are saying your screws themselves are stuck? If so, that sounds like maybe they are too long and may be jammed into the brain itself.

Yeah, sorry I didn't make myself clear. I used the provided screws and made sure I didn't over tighten them
If what you're saying is true, is there anyway I can solve it?

 

[Christopher Mills]

you're not going to like the solution

you're not going to like the solution

you may need a machine shop to drill out these screws.. basically cutting them out of their threaded sockets.
Is there a camera rental house near you that has a machinist on staff?
Otherwise, an aviation or motorsports team shop may be able to take enough care to avoid damaging the camera further..

or.. you may have to do it yourself with a drill press... and great patience and care..

 

[Max L.]

you may need a machine shop to drill out these screws.. basically cutting them out of their threaded sockets.
Is there a camera rental house near you that has a machinist on staff?
Otherwise, an aviation or motorsports team shop may be able to take enough care to avoid damaging the camera further..

or.. you may have to do it yourself with a drill press... and great patience and care..

I'll see what I can do, thanks for your input!