Observations and questions about my new rig

Thanks to all who helped me find my Christmas present discussed here:
https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1447​064&page=1
I wound up with an Induro CT203 and a Sirui K30.

So I go to attach the ball head. I noticed that the tripod plate has a separate smaller screw (not the 3/8 mounting screw) that seems to be designed to keep the head from untorquing and falling off into the abyss. Induro was kind enough to include a hex wrench. Problem is, when I screw the head all the way down onto the plate, I'm still about another 1/8 turn from getting the hole on the ball head to align over the screw coming up from the plate. so close, yet so far. I can attach the head so that its 7/8 away from being screwed down, but then there's an onerous gap across the whole of the two surfaces. I'm guessing this is not what we want. So, I should just live with the head being screwed on but it has the ability to losen over time, so just keep an eye on it(?).

Induro includes a sexy padded carrying case for the tripod. It has a thick, heavy zipper that will last a long time with my spastic fingers and propensity to catch stuff in the path of the zip (ouch). There are backpack straps that tuck away quite neatly when not in use, so not as to trip a claymore. The regular carrying handles mate together under a padded velcro loop. Wasn't expecting this at all so nice touch, Induro.

On the ballhead: if i keep the Panning Base Locking Knob fairly untorqued/loose, the head will pan quite smoothly. However, under some tension, i can feel a bit of grind at a couple points along the circumfrence. Seems to be the same place on every revolution. Is this normal/acceptable?

thanks

The grub screw is intended to stop the head rotating as you observe, however (these days) few heads have groves or holes for it to engage - some Manfrotto heads do. I would just take the grub screw out and put it somewhere safe or back it off and locktite it in place. Tighten your head down firmly by hand and then forget about it - I have yet to have a head work loose even on old Gitzo top plates which had no gripping surface - just Hammerite paint.

The Sirui head should be pretty smooth in all it's movements, I have the K40X and that's fine.

I cannot help with the tripod feet as I have no experience of them. However check if they can be unscrewed, if they can then check they have a 3/8th thread (see if it will fit the bottom of your ball head!). If all of the above is OK then there are a wide range of options here: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …i/10830/pn/2/N/​4075788759

Just make sure they are the screw in type.

My 2 K-30X's had the same "rough" spot out of the box. It disappeared after a week or so of usage. My K-20 did the same thing.
Seems that they need a "break in" period. They have all been flawless for over a year, in hot and sub zero temps. Hard to beat for the price.

Thanks John & Ian!

To be honest I don't plan on using the panning base much (so he says right now), just wondering if something is awry with the internals. Again--its smooth when the panning base locking knob is significantly losened. I'd imagine that the main knob would be tightened anyway if ne were to use the panning base feature?

I actually had an email exchange with Suiri and they were more than willing to exchange the heads for me. I installed my just a long lens plate on the head and turned it a few times and the "rough" spot disappeared. I put a wee bit on tension on the pano screw.
Try turning the head with your camera and lens mounted. I turned mine while having a conference call with a customer that lasted 20 minutes.