Show your tools!

[Andreas Thaler]

You need tools to repair. Special versions and devices are needed for photographic stuff and electronics.

There are no limits, except sense, space and budget

I've found that you need every tool at some point - and then it's good when it's there.

I love my tools and equipment and keep them clean. I make sure not to overload the things and use them for tasks that they weren't designed for.

How is it for you?

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Maybe I have too many tools after all

In any case, I'm a Knipex fan, there's no denying it

 

[miha]

Nice collection. I guess sometimes a hammer will do

 

[retina_restoration]

My single most important tool:

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Nice collection. I guess sometimes a hammer will do

The final option is always available.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

My single most important tool:

View attachment 358598

Did you make it yourself?

 

[Dan Daniel]

My single most important tool:

View attachment 358598

I know what that is for and I know how miserable life can be without it.

The Canon QL17 needs a similar tool. I knew someone who restored them on a regular basis. He finally found one of these for the Canon and could simply not stop talking about for weeks...

 

[retina_restoration]

Did you make it yourself?

No. This came to me through a friend (Hasselblad repairman) who got it as part of a lot of stuff he bought from a repair tech who had closed down his business about a year ago. But this was clearly a custom made retaining ring removal tool, not some off-the-shelf item.
I have a second one of different design which was made by a friend who has a metal shop.

 

[retina_restoration]

I know what that is for and I know how miserable life can be without it.

The Canon QL17 needs a similar tool. I knew someone who restored them on a regular basis. He finally found one of these for the Canon and could simply not stop talking about for weeks...

I can't imagine getting the job done without it!
For those who don't recognize it, it's a tool for removing the shutter retaining ring from inside the bellows of a Kodak Retina (all models). The two squared points engage the slots on the retaining ring which fits in a very narrow space between the walls of the helical and the outer rim of the rear lens group.

 

[kl122002]

I can't imagine getting the job done without it!
For those who don't recognize it, it's a tool for removing the shutter retaining ring from inside the bellows of a Kodak Retina (all models). The two squared points engage the slots on the retaining ring which fits in a very narrow space between the walls of the helical and the outer rim of the rear lens group.

The old retina wrench ! I miss it alot! I lent it to someone and it never returned to me !
Sadly it is not available anymore.

 

[kl122002]

The final option is always available.

I bought my tools from local and online. Thanks for phone repairing is getting common I can get more quality tools cheaply today. Before that I have to visit clockworks tool shop for the expensive and fragile screwdrivers.

Favorite screwdrivers brands (price from high to low)are Wiha(Germany), Pro'skit(Taiwan) , Rubicon (Japan) .
Even Rubicon is cheap doesn't mean it can't do its work.

For the tweezers I am using Hozan (Japan) . They are my best partner!

 

[albada]

My single most important tool:

View attachment 358598

Yes!
A rear lens spanner for Retina cameras is essential for anyone serious about repairing them.

Mark

 

[ic-racer]

This is my workshop. After looking at the image I was a little alarmed. I always thought my father's workshop was a mess and I wanted a neater one. But as I look at the image of my father's workshop below, I'm reminded of what my wife always says when we discuss my father "the apple does not fall far from the tree..."

 

[ic-racer]

This tool collection started in the 1960s and I actually do NOT consider myself a 'tool colletor.' If I were, I'd be literally swimming in tools. I think I'm very frugal and only have the minimum tools for the work at hand.

 

[ic-racer]

 

[4season]

I'm taking care of family matters and don't have access to my tools right now, but some highlights include:

A venerable Fluke 8060A multimeter purchased new, seemingly a lifetime ago.
Hakko FX951 soldering station
Japan Hobby Tool set of rubber cups
Screwdrivers by Wiha (ordinary metric) and Vessel (JIS)
Minispan driver + bits marked "Fargo Ent, Vacaville Calif"
Couple of H-spanners
Bunch of flexiclamps, some home-made, some from eBay seller "Nobbysparrow"
Many miniature 2-pin spanners designed by me using FreeCAD, and 3D-printed (PLA for the body + metal pins)
Swiss-made tweezers, can't recall the brand
"Swiss" miniature files, some actually Swiss, some not
Bergeon watch oiler (they are cheap, buy a couple!)
Old toothbrushes, gotta love those. I clean by soaking in solution of hot water + trisodium phosphate + dish soap
Various artist's type paintbrushes, for general cleaning
Cemedine Super-X adhesive, of course
Culturehustle ultra black paint
Stranded 30 gauge hookup wire in various colors
Miniature drill bits + pin vise.

Miniature hammer with plastic and brass faces + mini anvil: Just the thing for tapping out dents in brass covers.

Wish I hadn't given away my ultrasonic cleaner!

 

[4season]

View attachment 358751

Awesome build, gotta love those Lemo connectors too!

 

[Andreas Thaler]

There's still a lot I'm missing when I see the armories here

 

[ic-racer]

Awesome build, gotta love those Lemo connectors too!

Yes, they cost more than the whole rest of the project

 

[kl122002]

Is there any tools that could repair the dents?

I am using the plastic (nylon) headed hammer with small anvil in jeweler's tiny size to do the repairs. Are the they the right tools?

 

[Kodachromeguy]

View attachment 358751 View attachment 358748 View attachment 358750 View attachment 358749 View attachment 358747 View attachment 358746

An EG&G Densitometer? Fascinating. They certainly made a lot of technology instruments and equipment. I used their side-scan sonars in the Gulf of Mexico and South America in that previous life when I worked in the oil industry. Those were analog and printed on an orange/red thermal paper. We interpreted the data manually, meaning by eye and with rulers. The paper stunk when it was printing and induced Mal de mer (barfing for our American readers).

 

[albada]

This is my workshop. After looking at the image I was a little alarmed. I always thought my father's workshop was a mess and I wanted a neater one. But as I look at the image of my father's workshop below, I'm reminded of what my wife always says when we discuss my father "the apple does not fall far from the tree..."

Many cameras contain electronics, and the "IC" in your name suggests you're into electronics, so where's your oscilloscope? /2

 

[ic-racer]

An EG&G Densitometer? Fascinating. They certainly made a lot of technology instruments and equipment. I used their side-scan sonars in the Gulf of Mexico and South America in that previous life when I worked in the oil industry. Those were analog and printed on an orange/red thermal paper. We interpreted the data manually, meaning by eye and with rulers. The paper stunk when it was printing and induced Mal de mer (barfing for our American readers).

A few others here also have EG&G sensitometers.

I actually have a little sensitometer collection. I have 4 different types: incandescent, xenon, LED and phosphorescent. I think the phosphorescent one is the most interesting. It changes color based on the frequency that drives the phosphorescent panel.

 

[ic-racer]

Many cameras contain electronics, and the "IC" in your name suggests you're into electronics, so where's your oscilloscope? /2

Actually IC-RACER comes from racing Internal Combustion RC cars.
I don't have a scope on purpose. I'd really like to do more photography and less repairs.

 

[tjwspm]

So far I have repaired Minox A, Mamiya super 16 and Edixa 16 cameras. That's why I use these tools:

The tool on the far left is a homemade tool made from a scalpel.

Then of course I have consumables for cleaning and lubricating.
- Mineral spirits for cleaning the internal parts and removing resin from the escapement
- Isopropanol for cleaning glass surfaces
- Acetone for degreasing the shutter blades
- NYOIL shutter oil for the bearing points of the gears and levers.
- GunCer weapon grease (Ballistol) for slow-running sliding pairs with emergency running properties, e.g. levers and housing parts. Because of its very good adhesion, even at high temperatures, it is also suitable for use near lenses and shutters, as the risk of migration into grease-free zones is low.