GRAFMATIC PUZZLE

[Jerry Parker]

1. I bought a 4x5 Grafmatic film holder (#1268) on Ebay (because I'm a poor, cheap, retired guy) and when I removed the septums, the piece illustrated below fell out, as though it was just sitting in the drawer, unattached. It appears to be a felt light seal on a metal backing with glue residue. I tried to place it in various positions in the drawer and case, but it just doesn't fit. The service manual on www.southbristolviews.com shows an exploded view, but it's not really obvious to me where it goes. I'd rather not disassemble the whole thing, I'm not very good at precision work.
2. So then, I bought another supposedly identical Grafmatic, hoping I would see how it fits. I can't see any light-trap that looks anything like the one from my first unit. Either it does not have this piece in it, or it is sufficiently hidden that I am not seeing it.
3. Now my questions: Does anyone recognize this piece of felt on a metal backing? If so, how does it fit in? And finally, is it really necessary? Will Mr. Grafmatic work properly without this seal?
I haven't run any film through them yet, that's the next step. I would really appreciate the help of you experts on this.
Here's hoping all APUG'ers have a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah and a prosperous New Year.
Jerry

 

[L Gebhardt]

1. I bought a 4x5 Grafmatic film holder (#1268) on Ebay (because I'm a poor, cheap, retired guy) and when I removed the septums, the piece illustrated below fell out, as though it was just sitting in the drawer, unattached. It appears to be a felt light seal on a metal backing with glue residue. I tried to place it in various positions in the drawer and case, but it just doesn't fit. The service manual on www.southbristolviews.com shows an exploded view, but it's not really obvious to me where it goes. I'd rather not disassemble the whole thing, I'm not very good at precision work.
2. So then, I bought another supposedly identical Grafmatic, hoping I would see how it fits. I can't see any light-trap that looks anything like the one from my first unit. Either it does not have this piece in it, or it is sufficiently hidden that I am not seeing it.
3. Now my questions: Does anyone recognize this piece of felt on a metal backing? If so, how does it fit in? And finally, is it really necessary? Will Mr. Grafmatic work properly without this seal?
I haven't run any film through them yet, that's the next step. I would really appreciate the help of you experts on this.
Here's hoping all APUG'ers have a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah and a prosperous New Year.
Jerry

It's probably the light seal on the bottom of the outer frame, opposite where the frame number wheel is located. It's not hard to take them apart. Jut remove the two or three screws (depends on the age) on the sides of the outer frame. Then a metal piece the the screws go into will slide out of each side. This holds the inner box into the frame. Once it's separated into two parts the outer frame will just come apart.

 

[shutterfinger]

Its either Cutoff Assembly 1 dimple page 8 fig1 item 13a or
Cutoff Assembly 3 dimples page 8 fig 1 item 7
Remove the 3 screw from item 2A and 3A OR 2 screws from items 2 and 3 paying attention to the orientation of items 2 (A) and 3 (A) and slide the drawer assembly from the frame.
Bond the Cutoff assembly back to the frame assembly being sure to center it between the sides of the frame to prevent draw drag then reassemble when the bonding agent (glue) has cured. Any good non expanding glue will work. Contact cement will be a good choice.

You will have a light leak without the cutoffs.

 

[canuhead]

can you repost with larger photos ?

 

[Richard Warom]

Just opened up my Grafmatic that has no film in at present and the only part that is visible with thick felt on is at the bottom end of the holder where the inner draw closing onto, so if I can explain where I mean when you open up the Grafmatic and take out the septums the inner drawer has felt on the base of that drawer at the top end looks like 2mm thick and 15mm wide across the drawer. On the outer case where the drawer closes to at the bottom is a piece of felt that feels about 3-4mm thick and feels as if it is mounted on a metal strip. Question for you is, is there a piece of felt in the base end of your outer draw if not it could be where your part fits, I hope this may help you.
Richard

 

[Richard Warom]

I should have added that the felt at the base end of the outer draw does not go right across the width.
Richard

 

[Jerry Parker]

OK, I think I have it now. Inside the case, or the outer frame, (the part that holds the tray containing the septa and the dark slide), I can feel a felt seal on one of the Grafmatics. This is directly under the nameplate that says "4x5 Grafmatic USA Pat. Pending." I cannot feel such a seal in the Grafmatic that had the unattached seal, whereas I can feel the seal in the more recently purchased unit. Now I need to remove those 2 screws on each side and remove the tray from the case.

Thank you all for your information and advice. I couldn't have made it this far without you.

I have read that "Ice Wax" which is a chain lube for bicycles works well to lube the tray and dark slide.

Again, thank you all.

Jerry

 

[shutterfinger]

The full service manual for a 45 Grafmatic: http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/grafmatic45service.pdf


I provided the manual to that site.



A Grafmatic worn out by Warner Brothers:

Fig 1 from the manual:

To remove the darkslide slip a piece of card stock (or similar) between the darkslide and the spring loaded retainer (open square in the drawer assy.) and pull the darkslide out. The darkslide has a recess that the retainer engages.

 

[Truzi]

Great thread.. I've a couple of these, and this information will be great if I ever need to service them.

 

[EdSawyer]

That piece falls off regularly on these old Grafmatics. Double-sided tape works well to re-attach. I use 3-in-1 oil sparingly for lubrication, wax should work ok too as long as it doesnt' flake off and such.

 

[Sirius Glass]

That piece falls off regularly on these old Grafmatics. Double-sided tape works well to re-attach. I use 3-in-1 oil sparingly for lubrication, wax should work ok too as long as it doesnt' flake off and such.

I use double sided tape for this repair on my Grafmatics.

 

[Jerry Parker]

Well, this has become a very interesting thread. Good reference material for the future. I hope more LF people try using and repairing the Grafmatic. It really is a wonderful example of 1950's technology. Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. I know I have a little bit of work to do.
Best Christmas wishes to all.
Jerry