shutter CLA needed Kodak Flash Supermatic

[Jon Shiu]

Yes, the rear cell screws out. Perhaps just use a rubber band around it and your fingers to loosen.

Jon

 

[snederhiser]

Hello Jeff;
The rear lens cell screws out, counter clockwise. Use a rubber washer cutout from stock or perhaps one from the hardware store. Be carefull of the rear element, some stick up. Good luck, Steven.

 

[Neanderman]

The Naptha flush is not a recommended service practice from the service manual.

So what is recommended?

Ed

 

[Ian Grant]

"Shutter runs dry" --Wrong
"Oil" --Wrong

According to the Kodak Service manual there are several surfaces that take a light grease. In my opinion, it is best to disassemble the shutter, clean all the parts and re-assemble with grease at the correct points. The Naptha flush is not a recommended service practice from the service manual.

I tend to just place a few drops of IPA on the aperture blades and shutter blades rather than drench the shutter and flush all lubrication out, and that works very well in the majority of cases. I've shutters cleaned that way still working smoothly and accurately 10 to 15 years later.

Ian

 

[jstout]

rear element

Things are going well. I will probably send to Paul Ebel (haven't contacted yet).

Rear element, however, is tight. Attached is a photo with parts labeled. The casing is one-piece. "Ring A" is apparently the part that must be turned counter-clockwise. I am attempting to turn by carefully pressing a socket that matches Ring A in dimensions against a piece of thin, sticky rubber elastic layed over the ring. There is good grip, but then the elastic gives and doubles up. Hope I'm not trying to turn the wrong thing. Believe me, I'm very cautious, careful and deliberate, just to dissuade the anguish of anyone looking at this and thinking, "Man, I can't believe he's doing this!"

I will apply another drop of penetrating oil to the gap outside Ring A, wait, and gently try again.

So, although I could easily send it out for repair, which I will probably do anyway, there is interest in this subject and I'm elaborating to show the problem with the rear element for anyone reading this thread with similar issues. Anyway, I want to clean the glass. Someone might come across this discussion and want to be clear on the parts, so hopefully this diagram will clear that up. This lens has been sitting in a case, patiently waiting for me, for 55 years. If it's a little crotchety, I can understand.

 

[jstout]

Ring B

Also, it's possible I should be turning "Ring B", but it's down in there, hard to access, and I haven't tried that yet. I'd have to make a special tool (and be careful).

 

[snederhiser]

Hello Jeff;
First I would remove the shutter from the lens board. Grip the flange on the lens board and turn in a counter clockwise motion. A lens spanner may be needed to perform this operation. The flange maybe tight fitting and locking in the rear element. Have worked on many and have come apart unless Godzilla happened to put this one together. Do not remove the inner retainer (b). Good luck, Steven.

 

[mopar_guy]

So what is recommended?

Ed

Dis-assemble, clean and dry all parts, and re-assemble with Lubricant at the appropriate contact surfaces.

 

[BrianShaw]

Dis-assemble, clean and dry all parts, and re-assemble with Lubricant at the appropriate contact surfaces.

Aye

 

[jstout]

sent out

The shutter is now in the professional hands of Paul Ebel. After sitting for 55 years, I figured it was best to get it overhauled. I've decided to in the future get this done every 50 years or so anyway, whether it needs it or not.

 

[Neanderman]

...clean...

Sure, but with what!?

Ed

 

[mopar_guy]

Sure, but with what!?

Ed

Check this out:

http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=5059

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Sure, but with what!?

Ed

An ultrasonic cleaner, there are many solvents that are suitable, from water based with ammonia and soft soap to the toxic ones like MEK and others. Slopping lighter fluid around in an assembled shutter isn't even a half-assed way to do it.

 

[mopar_guy]

Some older shutters have shutter blades or aperture blades, or flash contacts that can be harmed by petroleum based chemicals such as lighter fluid. Also, the "lighter fluid flush" will dissolve old lubricants and deposit them on other areas of the shutter making everything more prone to attract dirt.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Some older shutters have shutter blades or aperture blades, or flash contacts that can be harmed by petroleum based chemicals such as lighter fluid. Also, the "lighter fluid flush" will dissolve old lubricants and deposit them on other areas of the shutter making everything more prone to attract dirt.

Yep.

"good enough" isn't.