A competent, elderly, obviously old-school, European immigrant? I admit, I never thought of that! laugh I'm glad to know such repairs are possible, though, because I've got more than one piece of threadbare equipment.

Absent the sentimental attachment, I'd just buy a new (old) one. Considering the asking prices, maybe I should do that in the interim anyway. Or even cannibalize the parts. I never thought of doing that before, either. This Empire Tripod isn't even the least expensive one I've come across, but the pix are better than most. Mine is 56" tall, when the the brass slides are fully extended, and it collapses down to a mere 16" -- which actually fits into an airline carry-on bag. I believe my father took his with him all over North Africa in WWII.