synchro compur slow speed stick

erikthered · Apr 20, 2012

Just got a rolleiflex k2a that was stored 40 years with a stuck shutter. I removed the lens elements and took it down to the speed control ring and flushed it out with lighter fluid. The good news is it now fires and sounds good, bad news is at about 1/25 and slower, the shutter sticks open till I rotate speed ring to a faster speed. I didn't take any of the clockwork apart, pretty sure I got all the spring loaded parts in place when I replaced the speed ring (3 parts as far as I know) and put VERY small drops of sewing machine oil on the shafts of the slow speed gears. Any ideas where I went wrong or maybe pics of how it should look?

E. von Hoegh · Apr 20, 2012

erikthered said:
Just got a rolleiflex k2a that was stored 40 years with a stuck shutter. I removed the lens elements and took it down to the speed control ring and flushed it out with lighter fluid. The good news is it now fires and sounds good, bad news is at about 1/25 and slower, the shutter sticks open till I rotate speed ring to a faster speed. I didn't take any of the clockwork apart, pretty sure I got all the spring loaded parts in place when I replaced the speed ring (3 parts as far as I know) and put VERY small drops of sewing machine oil on the shafts of the slow speed gears. Any ideas where I went wrong or maybe pics of how it should look?

The shutter needs to be properly cleaned and properly lubricated. Bring it to someone who knows how, and will take the time to do it properly.

Dan Daniel · Apr 20, 2012

Synchro Copurs are overly complicated and delicate. Flushing will spread dirt and lube to new paces. It needs to be stripped down,cleaned, relubed, and reassembled, as has been said.

The only Synchro Compur I have brought back to life was on a Rolleicord Va. I added three very small drops of oil, one to each main pivot in the slow speed mechanism. If it hadn't worked, I would have been looking at a complete strip down in my experience.

paul ron · Apr 20, 2012

Well your attempt at least gives you a sign of hope, it will work once it is cleaned properly.

If you saw no change after the lighter fluid, that may not have been a good sign.

Do a proper job n you will have a beautiful reliable camera for a long time.

.

E. von Hoegh · Apr 21, 2012

Dan Daniel said:
Synchro Copurs are overly complicated and delicate......

Where on earth did you get that idea?

Leigh B · Apr 21, 2012

Dan Daniel said:
Synchro Copurs are overly complicated and delicate.

Sorry to disagree, Dan.

Those that I've worked on have been quite robust and reliable. I used to repair these professionally.

- Leigh

John Koehrer · Apr 23, 2012

It may need more than one shot at the flushing. Since you're relying on the cleaner coming out of the shutter there's quite a bit that May remain. Sorta like trying to clean a good brush and not get color on the paper towel.

Leigh B · Apr 23, 2012

Flushing a shutter is an extremely bad idea.

Send it to somebody who knows what he's doing for a proper CLA.

- Leigh

Steve Smith · Apr 23, 2012

Leigh B said:
Flushing a shutter is an extremely bad idea.

Flushing a shutter without subsequently lubricating it properly is a bad idea.

Steve.

Leigh B · Apr 23, 2012

Steve Smith said:
Flushing a shutter without subsequently lubricating it properly is a bad idea.

The only reason for flushing a shutter is because it has not been disassembled.

If it's still assembled it cannot be properly lubricated.

Therefore, if it's being flushed it cannot be lubricated, properly or otherwise, by definition.

- Leigh

derwent · Apr 24, 2012

Every Synchro Compur I've had has had sticky slow speeds.
With most of them it has been a bit of oil on the blades and a gentle wipe with a tissue moistened with lighter fluid followed by firing the shutter and gently wiping dry.
This will get the oil of the blades and often makes the shutter come back to life.
They are reliable old things.

I know this is not the completely correct technique nor is it a replacement for a full CLA but it has worked for me on half a dozen cameras which were in good condition but had slightly sticky shutters.
Gentle touch is required though.

Also sewing machine oil isn't really the best...there are some synthetic watch oils that do an excellent job but it's ten times the price of sewing machine oil.

synchro compur slow speed stick

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