What is the name for the tool I need?

[ggray79]

I am trying to disassemble this Olympus 35 RC to align the rangefinder but I am stuck trying to remove the timer lever. Is there a special name for the tool that I need so I can find and buy? Thanks!

 

[monst]

A lens wrench is needed here or the old small circle pliers would work too.

 

[BrianShaw]

Pin wrench, or pin spanner.

A camera/lens spanner wrench might also work if tips are small enough.

camera pin wrench tool - Google Search

 

[Andreas Thaler]

I have this one:

V-type Camera Lens Opener For Self Repair 100mm (Lens Opener) Made in Germany

Clean and Maintain your favorite lenses! V-type Camera Lens Opener is originally from Germany. This tool works well when opening firmly tightened lens rings, decorative-cover of the rewind knob of the film camera and a self-shutter dial.Entire length is 100 mm. Adjustments of 0 mm to 70 mm can...

japanhobbytool.com

 

[Helios 1984]

I like to use either my Blue-Point PR-37 or PR-38 snap ring pliers w/ 90-degree tips. ---> here (not my picture)
I snagged a set for dirt cheap, at a flea market, a few years back.

 

[ic-racer]

Many ways to skin a cat.

 

[ggray79]

Looks like the lens spanner wrench is what I need. Thanks!

 

[ggray79]

Many ways to skin a cat.

View attachment 360276

I will try this before I buy the spanner!

 

[4season]

The exact tool was probably supplied by Olympus, and hasn’t been available for decades. But it can be replaced with home-made 3D printed tool or modified screwdriver bit. Alas, there seems to have been no standardized sizing, and if there was ever such a thing as a master set of such tools, I’ve never seen it.

IIRC, that specific screw may have left-handed threading.

 

[Sharktooth]

Many ways to skin a cat.

View attachment 360276

Excellent!! I'm going to try that the next time I need to do something like that. Great idea, thanks.

 

[ggray79]

The exact tool was probably supplied by Olympus, and hasn’t been available for decades. But it can be replaced with home-made 3D printed tool or modified screwdriver bit. Alas, there seems to have been no standardized sizing, and if there was ever such a thing as a master set of such tools, I’ve never seen it.

IIRC, that specific screw may have left-handed threading.

Left handed would make sense now that you mention it because unscrewing counterclockwise is the same direction the lever itself moves.

 

[Kino]

You can also take a cheap flat-head screw driver and file it to make two pins of the blade at the proper distance.

If the part protrudes enough, a screwdriver butt covered with grippy rubber can be pressed hard against the screw and turned.

 

[Craig]

I think it can also be called a trammel wrench.

 

[drboone]

I asked the other day about a source of commercial face spanners for smaller size, and nobody had any.

I think you may find that the lens spanners only go down to a spacing of about 10mm, and some things (e.g. my example, the rangefinder adjustment cover on a C3) has narrower spacing than 10mm.

 

[gordrob]

I like to use either my Blue-Point PR-37 or PR-38 snap ring pliers w/ 90-degree tips. ---> here (not my picture)
I snagged a set for dirt cheap, at a flea market, a few years back.

I picked up a set of these pliers a the Dollar Store a couple of years back and they have worked well for me with the 90 degree tips

 

[MTGseattle]

I have one of these and I've been reasonably happy with it.

Craftsman 8 in. Alloy Steel Retaining Ring Pliers - Ace Hardware

Built to deliver twice the function of ordinary snap ring tools, these Craftsman professional retaining ring pliers internal/external swap easily between functions to make room in your box. Both pliers and the included color coded tips are crafted from rugged alloyed steel to deliver superior...

www.acehardware.com

 

[Light Capture]

You can also take a cheap flat-head screw driver and file it to make two pins of the blade at the proper distance.

If the part protrudes enough, a screwdriver butt covered with grippy rubber can be pressed hard against the screw and turned.

+1

For this type of screws. I have a quantity of flat screwdrivers and flat bits to modify them in a shape that fits the original screw perfectly. Filing or grinding works depending on hardness of a screwdriver/bit.

 

[ggray79]

Left handed would make sense now that you mention it because unscrewing counterclockwise is the same direction the lever itself moves.

Long story short, I saw tech papers for this camera and it is left-handed!

 

[ggray79]

My wife, the wise, discovered online that the top doesn't have to come off for a rangefinder adjustment, so I no longer need to remove this screw! Good grief!

 

[BrianShaw]

She may most likely be correct, but you still need to buy another tool. Buying another tool - just in case, or “for the next project - is a necessity!

 

[ggray79]

She may most likely be correct, but you still need to buy another tool. Buying another tool - just in case, or “for the next project - is a necessity!

From the Gospel according to Tim the Toolman Taylor! Thanks!

 

[ags2mikon]

Those are called pin spanners. I made some out of wide short flat blade screwdrivers with a dremel grinder tool. Use the screwdrivers from Harbor Freight because the metal is softer and easier to grind and it may not mar the brass.

 

[BobUK]

Long story short, I saw tech papers for this camera and it is left-handed!

If you look at the pin holes on the screws they are often severely scored by people forcing them against the left hand thread.

I have read in a couple of places that they are indeed left hand threads.


Some people blunt the tips of an old pair of engineers dividers, and so make a cheap adjustable tool.