Just bought a Pacemaker SG, old, stored long time without use. I need to clean and lube the shutter. How do you remove the front lens element? I can turn the rear element counterclockwise and get it off, not the front? Should I use a little lighter fluid to "lube" the threads, like a drop? Afraid to break something. Is there a special tool? Shutter sticks at 1 sec, 1/2 sec. 1/10. I have not removed the lens from the lensboard. Thanks.

There's quite a few discussions about this, but not for a while...

If it's the regular old 'Optar", then the front cell unscrews just like the read one did. It may just be 'stuck'. I never thought of using lighter fluid as a lubricant to un-stick a cell? But it may help?

The most common suggestion is to use:

A lens/strap wrench. The kind with a big rubber band so it does no damage. They work great.

A rubber glove or piece of inner tube. It often gives enough extra grip to unstick things.

Hold the shutter/lensboard with the front cell against the sidewall of a car tire. Push and twist. I've heard this worked for quite a few people...

If this doesn't help, maybe there will be more suggestions?

I would nix the lighter fluid. No telling what mischief it might do if it migrates in between the lens elements!

I have had good results by placing the entire lens/shutter in the refrigerator (or freezer, but try the fridge first, it's less extreme) for, say, 30 minutes or so, then unscrewing the front element (ccw as you look at it from the front) with the aid of one of those textured rubber pads intended for jar lid removal. This worked great on my 135 Optar!

OK, got it done. Thank you both for the help. I was ready to go to the refrigerator and thought I would try another way. I gave it a drop of Kano Kroil. Then, took a short length of two wire plastic electrical cord wrapped around. Did not work by itself - like a strap. So, I used a pair of channel lock pliars outside the electrical cord. Using the right amount of no pressure the baby came loose. It is slightly corroded inside. The Kroil did no damage or creep into the lens.

Now, to go for cleaning. Further advise is welcome and appreciated. Again, thanks for the help.

I have used the "Ronsonol soak" method to clean and loosen up all but one of my Graphex shutters (the 203 was like new), and this has done the trick. Into the lighter fluid I mixed in a couple of squirts of fine powdered graphite from the hardware store. Actually I didn't have to soak the shutters, merely spritzed the fluid/graphite mix into the works of the shutters; with all lens elements removed, there is ample access to the moving parts. I used a clean, empty needle point oiler to mix and squirt the stuff.

Between spritzes, work the shutter through all its speeds, open and close the diaphragm leaves, activate the press-focus and synchronizer levers, etc., and be sure to let everything dry out completely before reinstalling the lens elements!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2005-08-16 12:55 ]</font>