I'm trying to get an old Rolleicord camera working again, and I've run into a problem.
The film carrier knob is broken, and the screw which is supposed to screw all the way into the knob only screws in one or two threads. When pulling on the knob, it compresses a spring in the camera body, so I feel like the screw needs to be more secure than one or two threads. What would you recommend to stop the knob from coming off, and potentially ruining a roll of film? Loctite on the two threads? Fill the hole with epoxy? Something else?
By the way, spare parts are incredibly hard to find for this model.
Thanks
Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice. ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ
Posts: 4950 | Location: Highland, UT | Registered: September 14, 2006
When you say that "the knob is broken," are you referring to the knob shown in the last picture that has the cover missing? Is that the only problem with it?
I'd remove the screw, examine it closely to see if it might have snapped. If so, it may have snapped in place, and the broken off tip may still be in the bottom of the threaded hole. This is not a desirable situation. Getting the remnant out of there may be enough in and of itself to fix the problem. Removing the knob and probing with a needle or toothpick might be revealing. If you don't have a remnant in there, sourcing a replacement screw shouldn't be too tough
Posts: 6894 | Location: NoVA | Registered: July 22, 2009
Originally posted by architect: When you say that "the knob is broken," are you referring to the knob shown in the last picture that has the cover missing? Is that the only problem with it?
I'd remove the screw, examine it closely to see if it might have snapped. If so, it may have snapped in place, and the broken off tip may still be in the bottom of the threaded hole. This is not a desirable situation. Getting the remnant out of there may be enough in and of itself to fix the problem. Removing the knob and probing with a needle or toothpick might be revealing. If you don't have a remnant in there, sourcing a replacement screw shouldn't be too tough
The part with the threads snapped off so only a few threads remain. It's not a screw, but rather a pretty complex part with a screw thread on the end, which is why I can't just replace it with another screw.
Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice. ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ
Posts: 4950 | Location: Highland, UT | Registered: September 14, 2006
"Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty." ~Robert A. Heinlein
Posts: 26758 | Location: dughouse | Registered: February 04, 2003
From the pictures it almost looks as though the knob has a female threaded hole, a section of screw is threaded into the knob leaving some length sticking out. If that's the the case just backout the broken portion of screw and replace.
Otherwise, put in lathe (or careful drilling) to make the proper hole to accept the correct tap and thread.
Pictures where the threads meet the knob would help with determining.
Posts: 1580 | Location: Near Austin, TX | Registered: December 12, 2008
Do you actually want to use this camera? It uses 2-1/2" square film (my favorite). If it was my camera, I'd put it in the "display" case and get a Yashika or Bronica to use as an active camera....
Here's a picture of the knob, the spring, and the broken part that threads into the knob.
Ideally I would like to use this camera. Overall it's in good shape, except for a sticky shutter at slow speeds, but all my shots are on faster shutter speeds.
Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice. ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ
Posts: 4950 | Location: Highland, UT | Registered: September 14, 2006
I'd file what remains of the thread off the part. Drill then tap it to accept what ever thread the "nut/knob" accepts. Buy a matching screw and cut the head off of it... creating a stud essentially. Thread it into the newly tapped hole with some red loctite.
Should be able to reassemble it then with plenty of thread engagement.
I have a lathe and an assortment of common taps. Assuming it's not some oddball thread, you could send it to me if you like and I'll do it at no cost.
Posts: 1580 | Location: Near Austin, TX | Registered: December 12, 2008
The “My Mechanics” dude on YT could make that part for you. I’m sure the schematics for the screw exist somewhere.
"If you’re a leader, you lead the way. Not just on the easy ones; you take the tough ones too…” – MAJ Richard D. Winters (1918-2011), E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil... Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel." - Isaiah 5:20,24
