Horseman BH spare part

Lumi · Feb 19, 2020

Hi

I need a spare part for a Horseman VH, the focusing lock, named C7 in this manual:

http://www.cameramanuals.org/prof_pdf/horseman_vh-r.pdf

Maybe someone has one lying around or has info on a source for this part?

Regards
Lumi

ic-racer · Feb 19, 2020

Might want to check with B.S. Kumar and see if he can locate a parts camera to sell.

Sal Santamaura · Feb 19, 2020

The same piece on my VH snapped off exactly the same way. I contacted all the typical places in North America who repair Horseman Cameras and none of them had that part available. I had Japan Camera Hunter contact the manufacturer directly and he was told they no longer have any parts for those cameras.

At this point, since I've not been using my Horseman FA lately and have been using the VH, I temporarily transferred the locking lever from my 4x5 camera to the VH. Eventually, my (and your) only options seem to be buying and cannibalizing a "parts" camera or having some entity like S.K. Grimes fabricate a replacement lever.

Note that, while both levers are castings, the VH version is hollow where ours failed, while the FA's is solid and, therefore, more robust in that area. Should you seek a donor camera, the FA might provide a more durable solution.

Lumi · Feb 19, 2020

Thanks, ic-racer and Sal. Looks like this lever might have a tendency to break, or maybe I was a bit too hard handling it. It's not a very serious problem though since the focus rail is both smooth and tight and does not move after focusing the small and light lenses for the VH. But I'll be on the lookout for a donor camera.

Dan Daniel · Feb 19, 2020

Maybe I am not seeing the part correctly so this comment may not make sense. Looks as if you might be able to make a new lever and weld it in place? Maybe a jeweler could do the work? Since it is more a safety mechanism, it isn't subject to great pressure. Anyway, think if there is a way to add or make a small lever and attach it? I'd suggest starting with an off-the-shelf bolt but looks as if that is reverse threading.

Lumi · Feb 20, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
Maybe I am not seeing the part correctly so this comment may not make sense. Looks as if you might be able to make a new lever and weld it in place? Maybe a jeweler could do the work? Since it is more a safety mechanism, it isn't subject to great pressure. Anyway, think if there is a way to add or make a small lever and attach it? I'd suggest starting with an off-the-shelf bolt but looks as if that is reverse threading.

You may be have a point here, Dan. I'll check this out as well.

reza · Dec 10, 2020

Hey Lumi,
Did you solve this? I have the exact same problem here.

ic-racer · Dec 10, 2020

Please forgive me if I have not taken my own apart to check, but it looks like the lever and the shoulder bolt are two pieces. In that case there would a number of options to create a new lever, from casting, or 3d printing or even fashioning one from brass.

I actually made new graflok levers for my Horseman FA when I stupidly tried to bend one of them back after an unfortunate incident in the woods. The lever broke in two but I made a new one from aluminum by hand (and the help of a Dremel):

Lumi · Dec 12, 2020

reza said:
Hey Lumi,
Did you solve this? I have the exact same problem here.

Hi

I did not solve it. I suggest you contact B.S. Kumar, he may have spare parts. Or fInd a cheap VN for spare parts. I ended up selling the camera, the focus was quite tight so it could be worked.

good luck
Sverre

Horseman BH spare part

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