I recently acquired a used Speed Graphic and the bed latch was completly dismantled-parts loose in the case. I put it back, but it doesn't seem to keep the bed from flopping open. Don't know if there are parts missing or not. Is the latch supposed to spring back after you push the button in, or what?

Anyone help?

The latches have a >spring< return in them, so it should spring back after you release it! Bert

Do a search of the help board for manuals to get one of the links to the Top RF pacemaker manual, as there are several members who have it on their web sites, and lookup the bed latch in the service section and IPB. The latch is basically unchanged from the Anniversary model to the end of the company.

The last post got me curious so I looked it up on the 40 page manual at:
http://www.worldphoto.us/graflexindex.html and sure enough it's right on page 3. It is made up of only three items (Item 47, 48 and 49). They are a Spring-Bed Catch, a Machine Screw and a Button.
The Spring-Bed Catch should catch on a little lip on the camera's bed edge to hold it closed.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2003-04-20 09:49 ]</font>

You jarred my memory, and to be exact, it catches on the bed front edge chorme strip's inner edge.

On the top button released models it was a simple 1 piece flat spring bent to catch on the chrome strip! Older models with the side button had a coil spring return and a bit more complicated! I assumed from Check 6's description that the camera was the side release button....."dismantled-parts, loose in the bed" If it is the leaf type and it doesnt..catch..he will have to do some re-bending so it will! (small bends, until it holds tight) Bert

Hi, I have a Century that looks brand new except the (top-button) bed latch is bent & won't hold. Obviously the fix is to bend it back as was mentioned here, but because of the angle I can't figure a way to do that without taking it off. There is just one small 4-sided screw holding it in, and it is hard to access with normal tools because of its size and because of the bellows. I don't want to remove the bellows -- what's the best way to get it out? Or is there a good way to bend it back without removing it that I'm not seeing?
Thanks.

Go to your local hardware store and get a minature needle nose plier, preferably without ribbs, and griping the lever from the side, reform it to proper shape. You may need to fully retract the front standard and take the lens off to gain maximun working area and to minimumize potential damage to other parts.
Charles

Thanks, it worked! It's probably not as authoritative a "click" as it had from the factory, but now it holds.