Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 (white) Problem

[lindemanlax]

Hi -- First time posting here

I just bought a Model 2. In the process of removing the old, fake leather skins, I accidentally bent the metal flap on the front bottom where the film ejects. It's now bent down with no way that I can see to bend it back. Unfortunately, it's held in place with small rivets and not screws. So, removal is impossible best I can tell. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!!
Bruce

 

[AgX]

Rivets can be drilled out, flap bent flat again and cemented back in position.

 

[lindemanlax]

Unfortunately, the rivets are located directly underneath the rollers. If I drilled them out, I would damage the rollers in the process. Good idea, however. Just not feasible, I think.

 

[AgX]

Well, that is giving advice without bothering to have a look at ones own stuff...
But isn't that roller assembly removable?


Accidently bending flat springs firmly attached to a plane is something I experienced myself. Having found no remedy myself I'm curious to learn more here.

In theory one can push a thin rod under the spring near to its fastening point and then (over-)bend back the spring over that rod. After removing that rod the spring might work again. Though with a protruding kink where the rod was.

 

[lindemanlax]

Yes, I could do that. But, remember, the frame is plastic. So, too much pressure and I might have a bigger problem on my hands. And, I want this to end up looking as good as stock if at all possible.

One thing I have tried is removing the door from the camera body and drilling 2 holes through the plate. I then attached 2 cut-down, pan-head machine screws. Problem is, even cut-down, they still protrude too far in to the door assembly so that when I attempt to close the camera up, the screws prevent the camera from doing so fully. If I can find the same diameter machine screw in maybe a 2-3mm length, I might be able to pull it off, as the screws draw up the plate enough so that it doesn't appear too out of whack. And, when re-covered in new leather, will be only slightly visible on the camera's underside.

 

[Ron789]

Question: do you care about the beauty of the camera, or do you just want to fix it so you can use it to make photo's? Is everything still functioning? If it is and you don't care too much about the appearance of the camera then it's only a cosmetic problem that can easily be fixed with ducktape.

 

[lindemanlax]

I care about how it looks, too. This whole thing began when I was removing the old fake leather skins so I can install new ones. But, the bigger issue is that if left hanging, it will undoubtedly catch on something and bend further, making the camera unusable at some point. I could buy an inoperable donor camera and switch out the door assembly. But, that's another investment in a camera that won't appreciate as much as the other models. So, I'll try to fix it and put the new skins on and it will eventually work just fine. I'm just not quite there yet

 

[John Koehrer]

Flat head screws? Might be enough thread to hold the plate.
Sometime the local hobby emporium can have what you need.

 

[lindemanlax]

John, I was using pan-head screws, which are very low profile, but not flush. If I could countersink for flat-heads that would work. I think, however, that I've resigned myself to find a donor camera and simply replace the front film door assembly. It's a simple swap and would be the easiest, better way to go. Thanks for the help!

 

[BAC1967]

I think a donor camera is your best option. That's where the film comes out so it may need to be light tight, any fiddling you do could cause light leaks. Trying to get that metal to lay perfectly flat again would be challenging.