Busch Pressman C

[Curt]

On my Busch Pressman C I find the film holders fit easily in the back, but the Grafmatic film holder, "23" Graphic, holders fit really tight and stretch the springs to the extreme. I thought about this and backed the two screws in the center of the springs, one on each, out about an 1/8" and the Grafmatic holders fit easily. The film holders fit easily too. They are still tight and the GG seats firmly unloaded. I am thinking of replacing the two wood screws with two socket head screws with knurled heads for an adjustable back tensioner.
Any thoughts? I thought I was out of luck before this simple adjustment.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Two socket head wood screws? I will check when I get home tonight, but I'm pretty sure that they need to be wood screws. Thus there may be a potential wearout problem.

 

[Curt]

They are wood screws and I was going to put a brass piece of the appropriate size with a hole tapped in it. Might even need a nylon lock nut secured in a brass strip to hold the small bolt so it doesn't come loose and drop out. The simpler the better.

 

[Curt]

As it turns out the camera has screws and the extra back I bought has bolts. I went to the hardware store and bought stainless steel socket head bolts and captive nuts, the kind with the barbs on a flange. Since the back is wood and there is a plastic plate, the back is sanwiched in between. I'll try it out on the extra back I bought. It looks pretty good though. I could even put a stainless steel spring on bolt between the head and the outer side of the spring. If it was stiff enough it could be a set and forget setup. It would act as an overload spring to allow larger holders that extra room. I want to avoid a dirt catcher and a clothes ripper though.

 

[glennfromwy]

That back is the only flaw with the C model. I only use Grafmatics with my Cs. I have loosened up the backs by putting little washers under the springs. Since I don't use regular holders in them, there's no worry about looseness.

 

[Nathan Smith]

Hey Curt, when you complete this modification and are happy with it, please post or send me a shot of the setup. I have a couple of these beasts as well, this would be a nice way to make them much more useable. I especially like the idea of the overload spring - are you thinking of a flat bit of steel? I've seen posts that recommend drain cleaners as a source, or perhaps a thin saw blade. With enough curve in the steel it would take up the space when the thinner holder is in place.
Nathan