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Curt

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I sent an email to Calumet requesting the front springs, coil compression springs for a Calumet C1 8x10 view camera, with no reply. I tried to contact them about a month ago about parts but no reply then either. Has anyone tried to get any parts from Calumet for an older camera? I am going measure them and get them from another source but the question I have is how reliable is Calumet?

Curt
 

AgX

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I ordered a bearing for their Polaroid manual processor. This part has a mirror-like twin. But still both are offered with the same code number but sold single. I hinted at that, sent an unambiguous sketch with that order und still recieved the wrong part.
 
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Curt

Curt

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It's the frustration of older equipment, I looked the spring dimensions up on McMaster Carr and found a foot long length that I would have to cut off 3/4 inch of. Not being versed in Hooks law and not having spring testing equipment I would only be guessing that he compression inch/lbs or ft/lbs. I could make a test platform with weights etc. and check the weight required for full compression. Isn't life fun?

The springs, two, are .368" x .736 x .054" wire thickness or roughly 3/8" x 3/4". When looking up springs they can vary from piano wire and a few loops to thick flat wire and tight coils. It's all in the specifications.

Speaking of bearings, does anyone out there know or remember Babbitt bearings? I have an old ship jointer that has a steel base that weights a half ton alone and the jointer weights as much as a small car and has two Babbitt bearings. I was told to OIL them EVERY time I used it. I keep some expensive oil right on top of the machine. They used to be in car wheels and the owner had to fix them at home in the garage. Modern bearing are such a gift to technology, except when they go out. I just replaced the bearings in a heavily used disk sander. It was a chore because the motor weight so much, 220v and heavy old steel case. It runs like a champ now.
 

mikebarger

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I didn't know babbitt was ever used for wheel bearings, but I did have the last model Chevrolet car to have a babbitt bearings in the engine.

1953 powerglide cars had the new insert bearings, manual transmission cars still had babbitt bearings, all had inserts in 1954.

Mike
 

jmdavis

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My understanding is that railroad bearings are still of the Babbit type. I never new that they were used in Car engines, though.

It's amazing what some tin, antimony and lead can do.


Mike
 

Jim Jones

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Roller bearings began replacing plain bearings 80 years ago in trains. This greatly reduced rolling resistance and improved reliability.

I remember when the local auto repairman was a blacksmith, machinist, and engineer. He worked on cars, farm equipment, lawn mowers, perhaps radios, and whatever else needed fixing. He could rebabbitt bearings without a trip into town for parts that might be unavailable. He could probably figure out what larger coil or flat springs a camera needed, and wind, machine, or forge them.

Today's "mechanics" have little experience in metal turning and milling, forging, brazing, welding, and engineering. They often rely on a computer instead of occasionally on a well-worn copy of Motor Manual for troubleshooting and repair. They may be certified in everything, but knowledgable in so little.

There are craftsmen who revel in the challange of problem solving and in fine worksmanship. This has been especially true in camera building and repair, where the repairman relies more on experience and intuition than on documentation. We see examples of this on APUG. Great craftsmanship, like great engtineering, is as much an art as music, literature, and the visual arts.
 

Whiteymorange

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Call the Chicago store and ask for the man in parts and repair. I don't recall his name right now but he was extremely helpful and had just what I needed for an early 70's 401 series 4x5. Cheap and fast delivery. Sometimes the phone beats email hands down.
 
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Curt

Curt

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Yes, I will just call and check, thanks.
Curt
 
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