Broken screws Rolleiflex.

[Hamster]

I am rebuilding a previousely written off Rolleiflex MX-EVS and this thing is just driving me nuts. I keep breaking the very soft brass screw that was on it. What is worse is that I found out they were all Whitworth thread.

Having been brought up with Metric I am completely tearing out my hair on specifying the thread size. I have checked the repair manual but they only give a description and not the tread.

Can anyone help me to check if I have got them right?

Hood screw : 1/16"x5/32"
Rolleifix screw: 3/32"x5/32"
retaining Screw shutter speed select wheel: seems to be M1.5x3mm, but I am not sure as I cannot figure this one out.

 

[John Koehrer]

I'm really surprised that they wold be anything but Metric. Even more surprised they would mix metric and English on the same assembly

 

[Greg Heath]

If you haven't already, repost your question here:


http://www.kyphoto.com/cgi-bin/forum/discus.cgi



Greg

 

[Hamster]

I find the Whitworth screws in my rollei suprising as well, given that Germany was on the forefront of going metric. If all fails then I'll just buy some metallic epoxy and M2,5 tap.

I'm not interested historical accuracy, just want a working piece for happy shooting.

 

[NormanV]

I am not sure that you have got it right. Are the sizes that you quote pitch x diameter?
5/32 whitworth is 32 TPI. You should buy a thread pitch gauge to check the sizes. I cannot believe that Rollei would have used imperial sizes.

 

[Steve Smith]

That's what I was thinking. Whitworth is described by a diameter and threads per inch. e.g. tripod thread is 1/4" Whitworth, 1/4 x 20.

Most Whitworth threads are almost identical to American UNC threads so you may be able to find something similar in that range.

EDIT: I assumed the original poster was in the US but he says he was brought up with metric so I'm not sure now!


Steve.

 

[Hamster]

Hi, I live n Germany at the moment, so I have *absolutely no clue* on how to specify imperial thread. I did managed to get it mixed up by specifying diameter x pitch. Now I have learned something today.

I will have a thread gauge by next week so perhaps I can clear this up by then.

Yes, I was surprised Rollei used Imperial as well, that is kind of un-German; try unscrewing one of the 4 black brass screw on the viewing hood and see for yourself!

 

[bsdunek]

I don't know if or when they changed, but my Rollei has optical screws, not metric. Go to your local hobby shop that sells model train items and look at 00-90, 0-80 and 1-72 screws. These are a perfect fit for my Rollei! They come in different lengths and head styles. Washers and nuts are also available where needed. By the way, 00-90 is standard size for eye glasses.

 

[Hamster]

Optical screws, of course!

That might be it, I remember someone once told me Leica uses Optical screws.

It is nice to have a forum like this, since when one is working on his own he suffers from tunnel vision.

 

[NormanV]

Can anyone give me some more information on "optical screws" ? I have tried to find it on Google and nothing has come up.

 

[Steve Smith]

Yes, I was surprised Rollei used Imperial as well, that is kind of un-German

A couple of days ago I was working on one of our platen press cutting machines* at work. These have a matrix of threaded holes to attach the cut tools with.

They are Italian machines but the threaded holes are on a 1 7/8" pitch. I found that very strange.

* In case you're wondering, something like this: http://www.sikandarmachines.com/images/dieikon.jpg

Steve.

 

[ic-racer]

Can anyone give me some more information on "optical screws" ? I have tried to find it on Google and nothing has come up.

Not sure of that terminology, but this chart details the 'fine pitched' series, which includes 0-80 etc.
http://www.portlandbolt.com/technicalinformation/thread-pitch.html

 

[John Koehrer]

Confusing isn't it? Those danged engineers that can't use terms that the likes of us understand.
If you're going to find the screws locally I'd try an optician since they are usually capable of repairing eyeglass frames. Size 0-80 and 1-72 are most likely. I've found both in a hobby shop at one time or another.

 

[Steve Smith]

Whilst we're thinking about screw threads, does anyone know the size of the screws which hold the strap brackets onto a Rolleicord V? One of mine has gone missing.


Steve.