Kodak Instamatic 30 repair

MoriMP · Aug 21, 2016

my Kodak Instamatic 30 (110 film) jammed during film advance. It worked for 6 shots and noticed the film advance was getting harder to move. It then jammed half way between shots.
I only paid $5 for it, but would like to see if I can get it working again.
Couldn't find anything on the web.
Does anyone know how to open up one of these?
Thanks in advance

AgX · Aug 21, 2016

Without having a sample at hand: could be snapped together, but more likely screws are under that metal cover,

MoriMP · Sep 3, 2016

Thanks. I was afraid of that. Didn't want to randomly start tearing the thing apart.
Now that I have a replacement, I can go Frankenstein!
This camera is actually pretty well built and solid. Figured it would be more than just a snap apart camera.

MoriMP · Sep 18, 2016

Was able to open up the camera enough to unbind it and got it working again. The metal cover did come off which allowed me to get a couple drops of wd-40 in the works to free things up. Thanks AgX for the tip.

Bill Burk · Sep 18, 2016

What are you using for a battery? I find it hard to get the K batteries these days so I have been relegated to the model 20

Bill Burk · Sep 18, 2016

Found this link...

http://mw0gkx.co.uk/batteries/TheKFactour.htm

I'm skeptical about soldering to batteries, I think the heat would degrade them and soldering is pretty difficult with ordinary equipment. (I know because I've tried, and my batteries didn't last...)

MoriMP · Sep 18, 2016

My replacement came with a battery that was corroded badly. I was able to open it and remove the batteries and save the battery cage.
Haven't looked yet, but will be searching for batteries with solder tabs. Soldering regular batteries can be dicey and hazardous. Saw somewhere on the net someone had taped together some batteries and got it to work.
The battery cage had a metal tab that ran down the side that made contact inside the camera. The other end made contact at the base of the battery. As long as the polarity and voltage is correct, it should work.
Without a battery, the camera still functions at about 1/100 sec.
When I can find the right batteries, I'll post the outcome. It looks like it will be possible to make a battery pack without the cage.
Let me know if you get a battery pack and how it works out.

AgX · Sep 19, 2016

Primary batteries with solder tabs. Do they exist?
I only know of rechargable ones.

Another reason to consider building a small point-welder.

Though point-welding would yield a thermal load too. But if one uses care and some thought one should be able to solder fast with a minimum of thermal load to the content. But I got no idea whether that still would not be too much...

AgX · Sep 19, 2016

Instead I'm considering a way of mounting the cells without soldering/welding. No idea if that would work out.

Bill Burk · Sep 21, 2016

I think this would be an ideal project for someone with a 3-D printer!

Kodak Instamatic 30 repair

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