Kodak Auxiliary Rangefinder clean/adjust?

removedacct1

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I have acquired one of these Kodak Auxiliary Rangefinders (probably late 1940s to early 1950s) and it not only needs a cleaning of the optical parts inside, but some calibration as well.

Does anyone here know how to open, clean and calibrate one of these?? It seems there is ZERO information online about servicing this model. Thank you.
 

BrianShaw

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I have one in pieces. A friend, who opened it up to clean, took it apart and that was that. I looked for anything to help with reassembly but found nothing. On google patents I found the patent that has a notional drawing. But I can’t recall the patent number and can’t find the copy I printed. It might not even be useful but it looked to me as better than nothing.
 
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removedacct1

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Thank you Brian. I will look for the patent drawing and see if that helps!
 

mshchem

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I stumbled on a real nice one, very neat. I have a laser job for my 6x17. Things come in darn handy.
 

REAndy

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This is crazy timing... I just got one of these and took it apart to clean it. There are screws on both ends. take those off. There is a round cap next to the word Kodak that needs to be popped off before the unit can be slid out. Slide it out from the "cold shoe" side. The entire guts will slide out as 1 unit. You can get to everything to clean it
 
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removedacct1

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Thanks for these tips.
Question: When you state that there are screws on both ends, I see there are two tiny screws on the body, plus three screws holding the dial mechanism to the body, and of course the screw on the end opposite the shoe end. Did you remove ALL of these screws to get the mechanism out? Also, did you find a way to calibrate the finder? Mine is clearly inaccurate: a 3 foot distance (measured by hand) reads as 5 feet through the finder. I'd like to address that issue, as you can imagine.

Thanks!
Paul
 

REAndy

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Hi Paul, I will reply back as soon as I can, but it will probably be late this afternoon. Sorry for the delay. I will get you the information. I need to get mine in front of me to help me remember. Right now I am only working off memory.
 
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removedacct1

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Hi Paul, I will reply back as soon as I can, but it will probably be late this afternoon. Sorry for the delay. I will get you the information. I need to get mine in front of me to help me remember. Right now I am only working off memory.

Thank you, much appreciated!
 

REAndy

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sorry for the delay in information. Last night at home got busy and I wasn't able to get you this information. I will try again this afternoon.
 

REAndy

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Ok, here it goes:
Take off the philips screw on the end opposite the "cold shoe". That plate will come off.

On the bottom, take off the small screw (it's on the side by that plate we just took off).

Take off all 3 screws of the range-finder dial. (note: on mine, the top screw was the longest of these 3. This one screws into the "inner mechanism" (not the body/shell). The other 2 screws just attach the range-finder dial to the "body/shell". Remove the range-finder dial by pulling straight out.

Take off the "round-cap" next to the last "K" by the word "KODAK".

The inner mechanism will now slide out.

You can get to all surfaces to clean/dust/etc.

Note on the back side (near the eye-piece/view-finder) there is a small screw (with no head; just a slot for a screw driver). That screw presses on a pressure plate which holds the "lens" in place. You can loosen this screw if you find you can't slide out the inner mechanism, but it doesn't have to be removed. (just flush with the inside). I suggest you count how many turns you make on this screw, because on mine, depending on how much "I screw it in" I can get adjustment on the range finder. I am suspecting this is a "fine adjustment". The course adjustment appears to be located on the inner mechanism near the articulating mirror. Or, under that "round-cap" location when the inner mechanism in inserted in the body/shell. There are 2 screws which locks down the articulating mirror to the arm that touches the cam on the range-finder dial. It appears that by loosening those 2 screws and turning a slot (it looks like it needs a special tool) for a screw driver with a center pin to turn. On mine those 2 screws on the articulating mirror are "sealed" with what looks like something similar to clear finger-nail polish. I have not made any adjustment with this. It is possible on yours, (you said it was way off) maybe some crud/something got between the cam on the range-finder dial, and the arm on the articulating-mirror, which is "pushing" the mirror too far. Just an idea.

Also, it's always a good idea to video your disassembly process. I also like to take apart small objects like this in some kind of tray (like a Chinese take-out food plastic tray). It does a great job of catching screws/parts. I also found a tweezers very helpful in holding those small screws while putting it back together.
 
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removedacct1

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Excellent information, thank you! I will give it a go in the morning. I hope you’re right, in that the inaccuracy of the finder is because it’s gummed up, not because it needs major adjustment.
 

JammEEr23

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I'm sorry for posting here but I want to say that I had some issues with my range finder and your posts really helped me
 

JammEEr23

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I had the same problem, I tried to clean my rangefinder by myself and I broke it, so I wouldn't try to fix it if I were you. When I broke it, I decided to buy a new rangefinder, so I used Google in order to find a site where I can purchase it, but unfortunately I didn't manage to find anything. After some time, I met my friend and I told him about this problem, and he advised me to use this site, he bought some rangefinders, and he said that everything was okay: https://www.atncorp.com/range-finder I purchased from there a rangefinder from Laserballistics and I can say that I'm pleased with it.
 

BrianShaw

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I have 3 of these: one that some else broke trying to fix, one that I broke trying to fix, and one that barely works. I gave up on them...
 
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