Olympus OM1 winder/shutter release idler gear screw size

fenboatman

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Aug 11, 2025
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Dunoon, Scotland
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35mm
Hello. I am trying to resurrect an old OM1 (and an OM10) that I used a great deal in the 1980s. It has been sitting for a good many years and the shutter release is jammed. The winder works. This seems to be a common problem and various videos show a repair involving resetting the position of the idler gear. I tried doing so but in the process managed to drop the screw that holds the gear in place. I have been unable to find a reliable post anywhere that confirms the size although one poster alleged that it's a 2.15 mm diameter screw. Can anyone here confirm that and even better have a recommendation as to where I might buy one? If all else fails, I can buy a donor parts camera but that's an expensive solution for one tiny screw! Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
 

BobUK

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Oct 13, 2021
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An old trick is to sharpen a wooden meat skewer, then carefully screw this into the threaded hole. Unscrew the wooden skewer, take your measurements from the new thread formed on the end of the stick. Diameter and thread pitch.
This has worked for me on clocks and cars.
 

julianpa

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Jun 25, 2025
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Alicante Spain
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You can find small screws in Amazon
 

BobUK

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Oct 13, 2021
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Click on the link above.

Polar Bear Camera Tools has an excellent range of fine machine screws. Check out the various styles in the index.
 
OP
OP

fenboatman

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Aug 11, 2025
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Location
Dunoon, Scotland
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35mm

That sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
 
OP
OP

fenboatman

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Joined
Aug 11, 2025
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Location
Dunoon, Scotland
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35mm

Thanks for that. I had actually discovered this in my searches. I will look more closely once I can identify the screw size and thread. I am assuming it will be a JIS crosspoint but having lost the screw like an idiot I don't have the pattern. I will try the wooden skewer method. Fortunately, I have a digital micrometer.
 

Bushcat

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Jul 16, 2022
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Tokyo
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OP
OP

fenboatman

Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2025
Messages
4
Location
Dunoon, Scotland
Format
35mm

Hi, yes I do have the service manual that I am trying to decipher! I have also established that the OM10 has the same mechanism and I have one of those awaiting repair so will try borrowing a screw out of that and measuring it. That’s if the recalcitrant screws will come out of the baseplate! Thanks for your advice.
 
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