cirkut gears

[blindpig]

A friend asked me to take a look a an old camera he's had for over 40 years and had purchased at an estate sale back then.It' a #6 Kodak Circut outfit and appears to be in fairly good shape with a few exceptions.It needs to be generally cleaned up,the shutter is stuck open and he doesn't have the winding key or the exposure gears. His question to me is where might he acquire the missing gears and key.So my recourse is to ask the same question here. Are they still around and available to purchase?

Appreciate any thoughts you all might have...
Don

 

[Andrew Moxom]

Reach out to Jamie Young, I know he is on here sometimes... He has a few various Cirkut cameras, and may know where you can source parts.

 

[frobozz]

They show up on ebay from time to time too.

Duncan

 

[blindpig]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Is this camera outfit worth spending money for the missing parts?
I'm not versed in antique cameras (as you can tell)and appreciate any and all help I can get.
Don

 

[Mark Crabtree]

Cirkuts are a lot of fun and the #6 Outfit is a nice "practical" size, though film can be a bit of a nuisance in that size. A #10 is the nicest Cirkut in actual use and can use 9.5" aerial film without slitting it down, but it is bigger, heavier, and of course much bigger negs and prints - for better or worse.

Gears usually run about $25 each, maybe a bit more now if you get them custom made. I have a lot of extra gears, heads, and other items for #8 and #10. The #6 takes the same gear, but with a slightly longer shaft, so a bit harder to source. The shafts can be replaced, but at that point it might be worth looking into getting the gears custom cut from the start. Ron Klein (a member here) used to do it, but I don't know if he is set up or interested since his move.

Gordon Roth is an amazing older photographer in NJ that might still make gears. I'll ask next time he calls, or can PM with his #. He worked in the Kodak studio in the 50's and knew some of the folks that made the Cirkuts. He also worked in O. Winston Link's studio for a bit. Very interesting to talk to.

 

[jamie young]

Don - I sent you a reply to the message before I saw the thread. The winding keys are available at most good clock shops and easy to find. ebay is your best bet if Gordon Roth and Ron Klein don't want to cut gears anymore. other machine shops can do it with the right specs but will likely be pricey do to setup.
Whether it's worth it is more about if you want to use the camera or hold it as a collectors item. The 6 outfit is a really nice size but getting and spooling film will be a challenge. I shoot with my 6 outfit and enjoy it but I've figured out the techniques for the process.

 

[AgX]

The 6 outfit is a really nice size but getting and spooling film will be a challenge.

Wouldn't it accept common 5" film?

 

[Mark Crabtree]

Wouldn't it accept common 5" film?

Sure, you just need to make spools and leader to fit. I have lots of 10" spools and leaders and have cut them down for smaller sizes in the past.

The 6.5" size of the #6 Outfit is really nice though. 5" Seems a little small to me now.

 

[jamie young]

I'm with Mark. the 6.5 size is a nice viewing size. that 1.5" width adds a lot. I have a 5" cirkut which is fun to use but the pictures have a different more intimate feel.
The 6 outfit only took 6.5" spools from the factory and you would have to figure out spooling to use 5" film. Probably the best way is to add spacers to a 6.5" spool. or you could just set up a jig when spooling to center the film on the leader paper