Is my Rolleicord III missing a part?

Michael Guzzi · Mar 4, 2017

I have just finished cleaning the lenses and lubing the shutter of this Rolleicord III I bought recently.

It seems there is a small bit missing where the film spool is held, it seems odd:

I know this camera accepts the Rolleikin adapter(to allow 35mm film to be used), I'm guessing maybe someone forgot to swap a part back after using the kit? Or is this how it should look?

jimjm · Mar 4, 2017

Looks identical to my Rolleicord III, and I've never used a Rolleikin with it. I'm assuming yours also has a spool pin on the other side, out of the top of the frame.

These have only the one roller, seen on the left, where many Rolleiflexes have a second roller that the film feeds under first, for indexing the first frame.

Michael Guzzi · Mar 4, 2017

Yes, it does have a spool pin opposite this threaded one, I just thought it was a little odd looking. Thanks for confirming this is how its supposed to look.

Funny you mention it having only one roller, mine has two:

Gonna put a roll of RPX400 thru it tomorrow. Oh, what glue should I use to re-glue the leather on the faceplate?

BrianShaw · Mar 4, 2017

That is normal spool holder. The one-roller comment refers to the film feed side. Rolleicord has one whereas Rolleiflex has two in which the film feeds between for auto sensing of frame 1... plus another on the opposite side of the film gate. Pliobond contact adhesive is traditional for replacing camera leather.

AgX · Mar 4, 2017

There is no part missing.

Michael Guzzi · Mar 5, 2017

Many thanks for the help everybody, and I now see what Jim meant with the two rollers. Will see if I can find Pliobond here, obviously the brand will not be Pliobond, maybe what we call "Cascola" will do. Seems to be of the same category of adhesive.

BrianShaw · Mar 5, 2017

The "traditionale" version should be functionally the same. If you haven't worked with contact cement before it might be worth experimenting with some paper and cardboard first. Contact adhesivecanbe rather unforgiving in the event of a placement error.

one90guy · Mar 6, 2017

In my younger years used lots of contact cement and have used it to reinstall used camera coverings. The way we did it is to not let the glue dry before installing, that way you have a little wiggle room. Then clamp or tape piece's till glue dried. Have mounted 4x8 feet FRP sheets on walls using the same method.

David

fdonadio · Mar 6, 2017

BrianShaw said:
If you haven't worked with contact cement before it might be worth experimenting with some paper and cardboard first. Contact adhesive can be rather unforgiving in the event of a placement error.

Judging from your remarks about how contact cement works, it's the same as Michael called "Cascola". It's a well-known Brand here in Brazil. I use it to apply Formica to plywood, for example.

I don't know if it's the best adhesive for that, as it will make it impossible to peel off the leatherette again in the future, if needed.

Cheers,
Flavio

BrianShaw · Mar 6, 2017

Flavio... check out the Rollei repair manuals... that's what they specify. If you have an alternative that works please say what it is.

fdonadio · Mar 6, 2017

BrianShaw said:
Flavio... check out the Rollei repair manuals...

Brian, they recommend contact cement? Maybe what you guys have up there (Pliobond) is not as nasty as what we have down here (Cascola).

In the past, Cascola had toluene (toluol) as a solvent. Some people used it as a recreational drug and the substance is now controlled. Cascola changed their formula, but people say it's not as good as it was. It still bonds really well, if used correctly.

Cheers,
Flavio

BrianShaw · Mar 6, 2017

I don't know about your products but one could get high and a future case of cancer from our contact cement! I'm sure our contact glue has been re formulated too... and isn't as good as the old product.

Toluene was great stuff... if it weren't for the unfortunate side effects.

My experience with contact cement is primarily wood veneer work, BTW.

In the old days I don't think they were too concerned about reusing camera skin. I think they were replaceable parts. Today is different, of course, in that regard. But I've never heard an alternative that will not peel and is removable in the future. Maybe hide glue... but I'll leave that to someone else to try.

mike c · Mar 6, 2017

How about rubber cement, have not used it on camera's maybe some one else has and knows if it works or not.?

fdonadio · Mar 6, 2017

BrianShaw said:
I'm sure our contact glue has been re formulated too... and isn't as good as the old product.

You say that because you don't get high with it anymore! (joking)

AgX · Mar 7, 2017

one90guy said:
In my younger years used lots of contact cement and have used it to reinstall used camera coverings. The way we did it is to not let the glue dry before installing, that way you have a little wiggle room.

But still you applied it at both surfaces, or only at the leatherette?

one90guy · Mar 7, 2017

fdonadio said:
I don't know if it's the best adhesive for that, as it will make it impossible to peel off the leatherette again in the future, if needed

You can still remove it, but you will have to use something like lighter fluid and a flat scraper. Have used paint thinner and a old hacksaw blade to remove Formica from plywood. Usually if you work slow you can remove it in one piece. And you know how brittle Formica is.

David

fdonadio · Mar 7, 2017

Well... I guess there's always CameraLeather.com!

I just replaced the leatherette on my spare 500C/M body and their product is perfect.

So, if you can't reuse the same leatherette, just buy new.

Is my Rolleicord III missing a part?

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