Help! Nikon FE Winder unscrewed!

[Klainmeister]

So first of all--you gotta be kidding me. I tried to unwind the film and the winder arm instead unscrewed from the cartridge holder spool, moments after I mentioned to my boss that "I'm usually a Canon guy, but this Nikon is really quite nice". BOOM pieces.

How the hell do I get the back open to recover the winder pin? It seems like I could easily re-assemble it, just don't know of an effective way to force my way into the back.

See attached image:

 

[CGW]

Get a heavy paper clip and bend a 1/8--1/4 hook on one end. Insert in the hole at least an inch and gently pull up. May take a few tries but usually works.

 

[bobwysiwyg]

Thankfully, I haven't encountered this on mine, but found this exploded parts diagram that might help you. Good luck, let us know how it progresses.

http://cameraobscura.zenfolio.com/fe-explode.pdf

 

[Klainmeister]

Get a heavy paper clip and bend a 1/8--1/4 hook on one end. Insert in the hole at least an inch and gently pull up. May take a few tries but usually works.

Awesome info, but do you know which direction it needs to be facing? Also, does the winder release latch need to be suppressed at the same time (i figure it only hold that pin and doesn't really do much else)

Huge thanks in advance

 

[Peter Simpson]

Ahhh! The old "Tab 708 lifted by shoulder of 652"!

WYSIWYG, indeed.



Looks like the hook wants to be pointed somewhere from 9:00 to 12:00 as you look down into the hole with the camera held as if you were taking a picture

 

[CGW]

Awesome info, but do you know which direction it needs to be facing? Also, does the winder release latch need to be suppressed at the same time (i figure it only hold that pin and doesn't really do much else)

Huge thanks in advance

Believe it's circular since the shaft of the rewind fork is too. Just checked one of my FEs and you should be able to lift up gently to release. It's worked for me.Go ahead and turn the little safety catch for luck. When it's open, make sure the fork shaft is securely tightened into the rewind knob.

FYI It's a small world, so maybe this kind of snark from you to me recently wasn't so smart.

"Why again are you a member of this here forum? The only thing irksome in the discussion were your replies."

 

[Klainmeister]

Damn it, I'm getting frustrated. Need a beer for this methinks.

 

[Klainmeister]

Believe it's circular since the shaft of the rewind fork is too. Just checked one of my FEs and you should be able to lift up gently to release. It's worked for me.Go ahead and turn the little safety catch for luck. When it's open, make sure the fork shaft is securely tightened into the rewind knob.

FYI It's a small world, so maybe this kind of snark from you to me recently wasn't so smart.

"Why again are you a member of this here forum? The only thing irksome in the discussion were your replies."

I thought that was quite humorous as well, and by humorous, I mean quite humbling. As I am sure you know, you tend to reply to a lot of film threads with a tenure of we're all too optimistic and blind to the realities of the modern state of film. It was rubbing me wrong after some time. But hey, I know you're shooting film, and we're shooting film, so I guess we should just embrace that reality while it still lasts.

Thanks for the huge amount of help CGW, I owe you some respect and kind words.

Cheers

 

[Peter Simpson]

And a dab of Loctite 242 (Removeable) on the shaft threads, so it won't happen again?

 

[Klainmeister]

If I can get the back door to open first. Still havent been able to get it.

I feel like one of those monkeys trying to fish out ants--poking in, moving it about, puling it up, nothing there!

 

[John Koehrer]

If you take a look into the hole. There's a small flat area toward the end of the body. That's what you need to lift.

 

[Peter Simpson]

I think the circled tab is what you're aiming for:



It looks to be at about 10:00 and it's about 1/16" up from the inside top wall of the film chamber.
I have my FE2 open now and can see it.
It sticks into the recess into which the fork retracts.

Maybe this will help you:

 

[fstop]

I picked up a nice FE off thebay with the same problem for about 10 bucks. It takes more that a paper clip to pull that, get a small nail with a head that fits down the hole.grab it with pliers and move it down the hole, you will feel where the latch is.

Peter Simpson good job on drawing and pic

 

[Peter Simpson]

Heh. Thanks.

My FE2 cost a bit more than that. $42 from KEH's as-is pile. $10 to Jon Goodman for foam & it seems to work fine

Regarding force, I think fstop is correct. The force you put on that tab is the force with which the latch is pulled up.
Squeezing the back towards the body as you try to pull up on the {nail, paperclip, crochet hook} may reduce the friction on the catch.

 

[huddy]

Spot on with that Peter. I had to do this with an FE2 not two weeks ago.

 

[Klainmeister]

Holy crap, you guys are awesome. Still working on in, but this info should definitely get me there.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Nothing technical to add to best wishes in a speedy success.











I am glad that this did not happen at the start of shooting a wedding!

 

[Klainmeister]

Epic win. Thanks a f%($&g ton! Peter, excellent info.

 

[CGW]

Cool. Just make sure to snug up the rewind knob/fork and check it from time to time.

 

[Klainmeister]

Will do, thanks again!

 

[fstop]

Cool. Just make sure to snug up the rewind knob/fork and check it from time to time.

It helps if its turned the right direction too, the arrow on the top of the rewind knob isn't there for decoration.The direction film is rewound onto the canister doesn't have anything to do with the camera, 35mm is rewound clockwise.

 

[Peter Simpson]

Epic win. Thanks a f%($&g ton! Peter, excellent info.

No worries, glad you got it. (Behold the power of the Internet!)

P.S.:
Loctite 242 (removable) is great stuff, but eats plastic, so be careful with it. A dab on a toothpick should handle this & it will break free when you need it to.
Also good on bicycles and motorcycles and for any screw you'd rather not have loosening up!