Minolta X-700 flimsy take-up spool

[dalmanly]

Hi all,

I have traveled far and wide to find a fix to this issue, but cannot find a single poor soul with the same problem!

The take-up spool on my Minolta X-700 is winding very inconsistently, meaning that the film advance lever only actually advances the film every 3-4 shots. I've noticed that the spool moves perfectly when there's no film in the camera, but once I put some in and close the back, the inconsistencies start.So clearly the spool doesn't have enough power to pull the film along.

Without film inserted, if I hold the spool in place while pushing the film advance lever forward, I can see that a crank/axle inside the spool is being turned, without the spool itself being turned. It seems to me like the two should be firmly attached, so that the film advance lever actually advances the spool holding the film in place. I guess this explains the lack of winding power.

So - is it absolute madness to try and finnick some super glue into the gap between the crank/axle and the spool? Is there a more elegant solution? Seems like taking apart an X-700 is like opening a pandora's box of tiny screws and wires.

Thanks!

 

[NB23]

Maybe linked to the rewind button under the camera?

 

[AgX]

The classic take up spools are connected to the advance sprocket by friction drive. Seemingly at your camera this friction is erratic.

If you have it about the take-up spool. However you seem to refer to the advance sprocket instead.

 

[dalmanly]

The classic take up spools are connected to the advance sprocket by friction drive. Seemingly at your camera this friction is erratic.

If you have it about the take-up spool. However you seem to refer to the advance sprocket instead.

Yes, I must be getting the terminology wrong, apologies. New to this whole scene. To be quite clear, here's a picture of what I mean:

 

[dalmanly]

Maybe linked to the rewind button under the camera?

Thanks for the idea, but I don't think that's it - the rewind button isn't linked to the spool that I was actually trying to refer to (see photo above).

 

[AgX]

dalmanly, it is me who misinterprerted what you wrote.

What you encircle in your photo is indeed the take-up spool. And thus my hint at the friction coupling (seemingly located within that spool) is still valid. Or the linkage inside that spool leading to the coupling is faulty.

 

[dalmanly]

Sounds like a complicated fix! From what I can tell, disassembling as far enough to reach the spool's insides requires a lot of disassembly. And not even sure I'd know what to do when I get to the friction coupling. Hence my slightly barbaric idea of sticking some superglue between the drive shaft/axle and the spool.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Thanks for the idea, but I don't think that's it - the rewind button isn't linked to the spool that I was actually trying to refer to (see photo above).

Rewind button disengages the take up side while still allowing shutter to be cocked without film advancing. So rewind system can be a problem. If you haven't played with it in and out (by out it usually means you need to start working film advance lever again) try a few times.

Secondly DO NOT drop super glue, as AGX stated, there is friction clutch between inside take-up spool and the outer light colored film engagement ring. Just checked X500 (same camera mechanically) and holding the lower ring WILL allow it to slip when trying to advance film.

 

[AgX]

Here the respective parts:
The complex part 0350-01 at the right contains the clutch.

 

[neilt3]

If I were you , I'd be tempted to drop it off at camera repair workshop in Milton Keynes .
Give them a bell and ask for dave .
They were the Minolta service and repair centre in the U.K before Minolta called it a day with cameras .

 

[shutterfinger]

Download the factory service manual, Service bulletin, and CLA tutorial at https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=222&category=2&secondary=7
Likely the friction gear set 2017-0350-01 is worn out or is out of adjustment.
Also the film being tight inside the cassette can jam and prevent the film from being pulled out of the cassette. Hold the leader against the cassette then turn the center spool counter clockwise until the slack is taken up then load the film in the camera.

 

[dalmanly]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Download the factory service manual, Service bulletin, and CLA tutorial at https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=222&category=2&secondary=7
Likely the friction gear set 2017-0350-01 is worn out or is out of adjustment.
Also the film being tight inside the cassette can jam and prevent the film from being pulled out of the cassette. Hold the leader against the cassette then turn the center spool counter clockwise until the slack is taken up then load the film in the camera.

This is by far the most thorough strip down manual I’ve found, cheers. But desoldering and soldering is beyond my capabilities unfortunately.

If I were you , I'd be tempted to drop it off at camera repair workshop in Milton Keynes .
Give them a bell and ask for dave .
They were the Minolta service and repair centre in the U.K before Minolta called it a day with cameras .

I’ve heard of these guys before - I think it’s my only hope at this stage. Thanks.