shutter rebuild instructions

David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 10/8/2004 4:01 PM Matt Ashbrook spake thus:

I have a Graphlex shutter I want to take apart and clean, maybe
replace the
spring (if it has one). The shutter speeds are off on the lower speeds.
Anyone know where I can get some sort of instructions for doing this?
I looed at the Graphic.org site, but didn't see anything.


Not exactly what you asked for, I know, but check out my page on
servicing Compur leaf shutters. At least it'll show you that it ain't
rocket science (forget any comparisons to 17-jewel watches) and that the
average person can do it, given a reasonable amount of care and patience:

http://www.bonez.info/photo/Compur_dialset_service.htm



Let me confirm that it's not out of the question to service leaf
shutters. I've cleaned five or six of them in the past year, adjusted
one, and done an actual repair on one (straightening a bent part
restored my Seagull 4B to proper operating condition). I've never had
one work less well after my efforts than before, and the only one that
hasn't worked perfectly after my cleaning had been "modified" by a
previous owner, making one speed run fast.

Mind you, cleaning a shutter typically requires no disasembly of the
operating mechanisms; as well, there are some shutters that do in fact
have "jack in the box" springs that will fly out if you don't do exactly
the right things in exactly the right order in disassembling and
reassembling the unit. Compur and Kodamatic shutters aren't in this
class, fortunately; in fact, both dial- and rim-set Compurs are
relatively easy to service as long as you don't attempt to disassemble
things that don't need to be taken apart. Both have springs under
considerable tension, but neither requires disassembling sprung parts
for normal cleaning.

Remember the basic rule: someone put this thing together, once. It must
be possible to do it again (though it's much easier if you have a nice
set of instructions).

--
I may be a scwewy wabbit, but I'm not going to Alcatwaz!
-- E. J. Fudd, 1954

Donald Qualls, aka The Silent Observer
Lathe Building Pages http://silent1.home.netcom.com/HomebuiltLathe.htm
Speedway 7x12 Lathe Pages http://silent1.home.netcom.com/my7x12.htm

Opinions expressed are my own -- take them for what they're worth
and don't expect them to be perfect.

"Matt Ashbrook" wrote in message news:D%E9d.437608$8_6.16118@attbi_s04...
I have a Graphlex shutter I want to take apart and clean, maybe replace the
spring (if it has one). The shutter speeds are off on the lower speeds.
Anyone know where I can get some sort of instructions for doing this?
I looed at the Graphic.org site, but didn't see anything.

Thanks,
Matt A.


If this is the Graphex shutter it is identical to the Wollensak
Rapax. John S. Craig, at http://www.craigcamera.com has Graflex
instruction books on repairing these shutters.
If only the low speeds are off a couple of drops of lighter fluid
on the retarder gears will remove the hardened grease and fix it. The
Rapax/Graphex uses all hair springs. It is possible to make all the
springs in the shutter. A fatigued main spring will affect the highest
speeds, not the low speeds. These are quite good shutters. Wollensak
built good shutters and mediocre lenses (with some exceptions).

Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

"Matt Ashbrook" wrote in message
news%E9d.437608$8_6.16118@attbi_s04...
I have a Graphlex shutter I want to take apart and clean,
maybe replace the
spring (if it has one). The shutter speeds are off on the
lower speeds.
Anyone know where I can get some sort of instructions for
doing this?
I looed at the Graphic.org site, but didn't see anything.

Thanks,
Matt A.


You can get Graflex repair manuals from John S. Craig.
These cover the Speed Graphic focal plane shutter and the
two front shutters most common on these cameras, the Kodak
Supermatic and the Wollensak Graphex (same as the Rapax
shutter).
If the only problem is the slow speeds being slow you may
be able to get them back on by applying a little lighter
fluid to the gear escapament which regulates the speeds.
Typically the lubricant on these gums up over time causing
the speeds to be slow or the shutter to stick open. Use a
small brush to apply the fluid. Be very careful not to get
any on the shutter blades or the iris blades.
To open a Graphex/Rapax remove the front and rear lens
cells. Then unscrew the chrome ring around the front lens
cell mount. This holds the front plate on. It can then be
lifted up which will expose the inner workings. I suggest
getting the instruction manual before doing this.
Graphex/Rapax shutters are very good shutters. When clean
they are quite accurate and consistent. The springs in all
Wollensak shutters are hair springs, relatively easy to make
if they need to be replaced, usually they do not.
A good synthetic oil for shutters is made by Labelle and
sold at hobby shops specializing in model railroads. The
other good oil is Nyoil, do a Google search to find sources.

--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

"Matt Ashbrook" wrote in message
news%E9d.437608$8_6.16118@attbi_s04...
I have a Graphlex shutter I want to take apart and clean,
maybe replace the
spring (if it has one). The shutter speeds are off on the
lower speeds.
Anyone know where I can get some sort of instructions for
doing this?
I looed at the Graphic.org site, but didn't see anything.

Thanks,
Matt A.


You can get Graflex repair manuals from John S. Craig.
These cover the Speed Graphic focal plane shutter and the
two front shutters most common on these cameras, the Kodak
Supermatic and the Wollensak Graphex (same as the Rapax
shutter).
If the only problem is the slow speeds being slow you may
be able to get them back on by applying a little lighter
fluid to the gear escapament which regulates the speeds.
Typically the lubricant on these gums up over time causing
the speeds to be slow or the shutter to stick open. Use a
small brush to apply the fluid. Be very careful not to get
any on the shutter blades or the iris blades.
To open a Graphex/Rapax remove the front and rear lens
cells. Then unscrew the chrome ring around the front lens
cell mount. This holds the front plate on. It can then be
lifted up which will expose the inner workings. I suggest
getting the instruction manual before doing this.
Graphex/Rapax shutters are very good shutters. When clean
they are quite accurate and consistent. The springs in all
Wollensak shutters are hair springs, relatively easy to make
if they need to be replaced, usually they do not.
A good synthetic oil for shutters is made by Labelle and
sold at hobby shops specializing in model railroads. The
other good oil is Nyoil, do a Google search to find sources.

--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA