Pentax KX film counter screw broken

Hello people,

This is one for the Pentax aficionados. I bought a pentad KX from eBay advertised as broken, the film counter wasn't working and was lose in the housing so I opened it to investigate. The screw of the counter broke off, I watched a video were it says that the screw has to be removed counterclockwise or something otherwise it breaks. My guess is that exactly this happened because the film advance is not that smooth and I guess someone tried to open it before. My question, is it possible to save the camera somehow? because the screw is so small it seems like impossible to get out. Everything else works and just needs a CLA. Any suggestions welcome.

You could try to drill it out. Since the thread is left-handed as soon as the drill will bite the screw stub will likely just unscrew. Try to centre punch first but if the screw is brass the drill might grab easily.

OAPOli said:

You could try to drill it out. Since the thread is left-handed as soon as the drill will bite the screw stub will likely just unscrew. Try to centre punch first but if the screw is brass the drill might grab easily.

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One must drill wide enough to get a tool in to the center, but not so wide that the thread gets damaged. You will need the screw length and thread to take it to an industrial hardware store, a hobby train shop or even a camera repair man. The latter will do the whole thing for you without the risks.

I think a competent, trained, professional, repair technician would probably remove that slotted nut, and then completely remove the top cover...having done that the trained professional, repair technician would remove and replace whatever sub-assembly that broken off screw is screwed into...
I'd get in touch with Eric Hendrickson at https://pentaxs.com/

if one wants to continue with the destroy-it-yourself effort, then use a big hammer and do it right.

unwantedfocus said:

I watched a video were it says that the screw has to be removed counterclockwise or something otherwise it breaks.

Click to expand...

Do you mean it has to be removed clockwise?

That's too small to drill out, at least for me. I'd take a small chisel and put a slot in the remaining screw nub that's left. Might want to level it out first w/ a file. But find out 100% which way it's supposed to be turned for loosening before putting a screw driver into the slot. Use a screwdriver w/ a good tip that fits snugly.

I've used this technique countless times when repairing cars, motorcycles, etc., and those bolts were in a lot tighter than your camera screw. Might be smart to put in a tiny drop of penetrating oil there beforehand too.

You can try using a sewing needle point to spin it out. Or take a scribe and use the tip as a punch to rotate it out. It looks as if there is enough of a shoulder to get a purchase on the material.

Both of these, the needle and the scribe as punch, require a gentle touch. You need to apply as much rotational force as possible without applying any downward force. Well, as little downward as possible.

If you get it out and have calipers, send me the diameter and a photo of the threads. I have a couple of containers full of Pentax K1000 pieces; sort of the Swiss Army Knife of nuts and bolts and springs, those cameras. I bet just the screw you need is used on another Pentax SLR, probably a K1000.

Or forget all of this and send Eric Hendrickson the photo to see what he can do for you.

By the way, the self-timer lever screw on the Pentax ME-Super is left-hand threaded. Maybe on yours, also? Maybe same threads? Who needs a self timer?? Reshape the head to work.

I've been able to extract broken miniature screws using either a screw extractor mounted in a hand vise, or by cutting a slot into the stub, then using an ordinary flat bladed screwdriver to remove. I had to order the screw extractor from China, but it wasn't too expensive.

Thanks for all the suggestions so it is possible to remove it thats good news! I probably will go over some of the options in the next weeks and decide I don't want to rush anything.