Tripod Disaster!!!!

So because I had to work all weekend I decided to take Friday off. Had the itch to take both the 8x20 and 11x14 out for the day. Went up Highway 1 in California and wanted to do some work back in the canyons. I set my 11x14 atop my Walnut tripod and had everything secure. I was about to put the waterhouse stop in my lens and as I was about to do so I stepped on this huge rock that one of the legs of my tripod was against and it twisted!!!!! My camera started to fall to the rocks!! I managed to grab it and hold on for dear life. Fortunately for me two nice guys who were watching me jumped in to help. We got the camera to a safe spot and I realized that the torque on the base caused the Walnut base to snap. I need to re do the base. My question is when I do this I'm considering that I want to make the Tri-lock device that is on the Ries tripods. I've looked at the website and the pictures tell me a fair amount but can someone who owns a Ries let me know how this tri-lock system for securing the legs into position works. Does it expand the leg from the top? I can't see how it works. Please don't say just buy a Ries tripod as right now I don't have the $$$. My Walnut tripod is strong but I need to do an upgrade to make it better. Thanks.

Jim

Wow, Jim, after all that work! Sorry to hear you bruised your baby. I have seen 32.174 ft/s2 in action when my 11x14 fell off the tripod in Bodie, so I know how you must have felt. I didn't make my Empire State, however, and I know how precious your homemade is to you.
I hope you have some matching walnut layin' around.
Good luck on tripod-quest. I just use a Monarch and forget all attempts at panache with such a big camera/investment.

Jim Fitzgerald said:

Does it expand the leg from the top? I can't see how it works.

Click to expand...

Hope this helps

more tri-lock detail

Jim, here's the image I PM'ed you about....smaller, but should still be clear.

Jim and Tracy, thanks. These images will help with the re-design. You guys are the best! Thanks again.

Jim

I wanted to thank everyone that gave me input on the tripod repair/upgrade. I did the "Ries thing". I made a tri lock system for my hand built tripod. It is more stable and solid than before. It is nice in that I can lock the legs in position and if I need to move the system a short distance ( very short) I can leave the legs in place and they don't move. All in all a very nice system.

Jim