Graflex.org

financephotog · Joined: 18 Feb 2021 Posts: 34 Location: Florida

I would like to try to repair a few things on my lens shutter (for a Crown Graphic, in 4x5), with a Graphex shutter.

The shutter is this one:

https://flic.kr/p/2kGaDxc

I have the repair manual for Graphex shutters (6711 AC). Here are my questions:

1) Is this a #1, #2, or #3 shutter? I can't seem to figure that out.

2) What is a minimum set of tools you recommend?

3) What are good lubricants here? I see that there's a grease and a light oil mentioned.

4) How common are the parts among shutter models? I am thinking of trying to get a shutter from the auction website as a parts donor. E.g. I see one listed that looks the same, but is for a 2x3. Would that be useful?

Projects I am trying to tackle are:

1) No flash syncing, on any setting.

2) Shutter doesn't close in B and T until I move the speed ring to a numbered setting.

3) Can't move the speed ring to 400.

So overall, not huge functionality problems, but a few things worth trying to fix if not too difficult.

Henry · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:38 pm Post subject:

Your link doesn't open for me.

financephotog · Joined: 18 Feb 2021 Posts: 34 Location: Florida

Edited to a different site. Hopefully it works now.

Henry · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:45 pm Post subject:

Now it works. I think that's a no. 2, but I'm no authority. It's not a no.1, that's for sure; they're smaller.

45PSS · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 9:00 pm Post subject:

financephotog · Joined: 18 Feb 2021 Posts: 34 Location: Florida

@45PSS, awesome! Thank you so much!

financephotog · Joined: 18 Feb 2021 Posts: 34 Location: Florida

OK, sorry, it's been a while but I am finally back to tinkering and tackling these issues.

Here is what's going on with the shutter in T:

https://flic.kr/p/2kUFN9h

The retarding mechanism runs a bit and then either stutters, or, as in this case, stops. Sometimes it can be nudged to continue, by putting a little pressure on the cocking lever (in the opposite direction. If it is made to continue, then it finishes up, and the shutter can be closed. Incidentally (or relatedly) it also seems like the shutter blades are not opening all the way here. This is a bit erratic: sometimes it doesn't freeze all the way like here, but there is always a stutter at some point as the retarding mechanism runs.

How can I fix this?

On a separate note, clumsy me managed to get some of the "light oil" lubricant on the shutter blades. What's the best way to clean this without damaging anything?

45PSS · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 7:31 pm Post subject:

The shutter is sticking due to dried lubrication.
Either cleaner listed my previous post will clean the shutter blades.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

financephotog · Joined: 18 Feb 2021 Posts: 34 Location: Florida

Awesome, thank you. Does that mean I have to disassemble all the way down to the shutter (which seems like it's stage 6 in the manual), or can I do this reasonably with the shutter in place?

45PSS · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 9:42 pm Post subject:

To get the shutter working properly follow the disassembly instructions for disassembly of the #2 and #3 shutters through stage 5. Do not disassemble the aperture blades, they're too difficult to reassemble and usually do not need servicing. The flash sync removes as an assembly and usually does not need to be dissembled.
If you familiarize yourself with the part names and follow the instructions you will have a properly working shutter.
A cotton swab moistened with alcohol can be used at any point to wipe oil from either the shutter or aperture blades.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

financephotog · Joined: 18 Feb 2021 Posts: 34 Location: Florida

Awesome, got it. Yes, I noticed that one of the stages (stage 3?) consists of disassembling the sync assembly after removing it. That's the part I can skip, I think.

OK, got my work cut out. But this should be interesting and fun.

financephotog · Joined: 18 Feb 2021 Posts: 34 Location: Florida

I'm at it. Good progress so far, I think:

https://flic.kr/p/2kWb5yy

Question when thinking about reassembly. Both the auxiliary spring and the main lever spring seemed like they had a lot of tension and might be tricky to reengage. Any technical pointers on how to do that?

45PSS · Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 8:02 am Post subject:

The main lever spring can be a pain. Set the bottom leg of the spring in position then compress the the spring and slip the top leg into place.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

financephotog · Joined: 18 Feb 2021 Posts: 34 Location: Florida

Thank you for the tip on the springs!

Meanwhile, I just finished disassembly:

https://flic.kr/p/2kXqtuX

The focus lever spring was supposed to be removed, but I couldn't get it off its post, so I just left it there and took the support plate out with it still attached. Hopefully I can just orient the spring the right way, as I put the support plate back in, as even now it seems hard to pull off.

45PSS · Posted: Sun May 09, 2021 7:28 pm Post subject:

I like that work mat.

Not removing that spring is not a big deal.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.