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X-Pole Still Stuck :(
I have a 50mm Chrome X-pert Xpole, which I loved until I overtightened the x-joint between the A and B pole. I was trying to be super cautious because there was one day that I had not tightened it enough and I ended up needing to the broom trick to undo it. I even had my brother try today with no luck (although I felt his inability was a compliment to my strength). Does anyone have any ideas at all? I really can't afford a new pole right now and I want to put my pole back up! Help me please!!!
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17 Replies
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I’m having trouble understanding what’s stuck– so I’m going to feel like an idiot if this isn’t what you’re talking about. But one time my pole was stuck even though the hex key unscrewed it or whatever. I took frozen rice and put it around the joint ; heat expands, cold contracts. After about 15m it came out with some help from my mom. Hope this helps!
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I’m having trouble understanding what’s stuck– so I’m going to feel like an idiot if this isn’t what you’re talking about. But one time my pole was stuck even though the hex key unscrewed it or whatever. I took frozen rice and put it around the joint ; heat expands, cold contracts. After about 15m it came out with some help from my mom. Hope this helps!
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Sorry! I guess I wasn't real clear. The hex screws in the X-joint won't move because I accidentally overtightened them. Does that make more sense?
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Hit the allen key with the heel of your hand, it will CLICK really loudly. Happens all the time, sounds like you did it up just right. If it's really tight, hold the pole piece, and kick the allen key away from you. Honestly it won't damage it.
It's anti-clockwise to undo it. -
Is the screw stripped perhaps? You could try putting a rubber band over the allen key before trying to loosen it if so.
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Fortunately, it isn't stripped – that much I know.
Robyn- Hit it how? I haven't tried this and want to make sure I do it correctly! Thanks!
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If a joint screw is stuck it is best to use a tool which has more leverage. The best tool is a Ratchet wrench or similar. Please go to our Photo album where we have uploaded 2 photos.
This wrench will allow you to put increased pressure on the screw far above that you can achieve with the Hex Key supplied. We use these for rigging compeitition poles, they are also good for studios.
You will need a 5mm Hex Socket (or Bit) attached to the wrench.
Please make sure you insert the Hex part fully into the screw part, apply pressure counter clockwise. To make sure it does not slip we grip the pole and squeeze the hex part into the screw as we apply pressure.
We will shortly be releasing a professional tool kit for studios which will include a wrench and other key tools.
X-Pole Tech Team
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We should have said any similar wrench with a 5mm Hex Bit will do.
Also Robyn is correct a shock to the screw will help release it but be careful the hex part is fully inserted in the screw hole and that it is held in place so it does not jump out.
The advantage with the wreoch or similar it that it has a solid connection and the arm does not flex so any inpact/shock is sent directly to the screw and does not get absorbed, unlike the Hex key which flexes.
X-Poel Tech Team
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So my maintenance guy is here helping me with this (file it under strangest request ever!), since he has the correct tools and I didn't. He says the hex screws are stripped in the joint. Any other suggestions? I really want to be able to use my pole again and I can't afford to buy a new one 🙁
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I worte this in another thread. For about $10 you will be golden. Finding the metric screw will be the hardest part.
Stripped X locking set screw. This is the set screw that keeps the pole locked into the stage. I am not really sure how you strip stainless but we manageed to do it….twice. I have an idea on how this happened and it comes down to being in a rush to set up/take down poles and not having the hex key in all the way. M8x8 is the set screw that you need to replace them. The ones that XPoles uses have an oval bottom….I have been unsuccessful in finding those (and those that know me and my searching capabilities, seriously, these things are next to impossible to find). The standard cone bottom will work just fine. Lowes and Home Depot do not carry metric set screws. I ended up at a little ACE Hardware store. Also, The Grabit Broken Bolt and Screw Extractor, size 2 is what you will want/need to get this screw out. I tried a few different styles and this one by far is the best in this situation. I got mine at Lowes for about $8.
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Sorry….I just realized after hitting send that you were talking about teh XJoint. You can still get the grabbit from Lowes then you will need to buy a new XJoint from XPole.
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And I am also unsure of the size of the grabbit for the XJoint. I think Lowes had a pack that had 3 different sizes in it.
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So my maintenance person was able to get it unstuck. We had to take the extender out of the A pole. Then he had to use a steel rod to pop it out the same way you do the broomstick method. He broke a broomstick it was so seized. He did say that the threading on the x-joint was also stripped and some parts had rusted. Not good! Clearly, I need a new X-joint, but very excited because now I don't need to buy a new pole!! Thanks everyone for your help!!
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Please can you advise when you purchased your 50mm.
Thanks
X-Pole Tech Team
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Two years ago. I bought it for my 30th birthday. I turn 32 tomorrow (not really sure how I feel about it though). Does that make a difference?
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