Graflex.org

camz · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 138

Does anyone have any experience removing the
rivets which secure the carry handle on an Auto
Graflex? Do you grind them down to remove them? What do you do for replacements?

45PSS · Joined: 28 Sep 2001 Posts: 4081

Disconnect the view hood from the view door.
Using a Dremel (variable speed best) equiped with a #402 mandrel and either a #409 cut-off wheel or a #420 heavy duty cut-off wheel{ http://dremel.com/HTML/home_fr.html }cut the rivet just above the backup washer on the peined end of the rivet.

_________________
Graflex Corp.was a supporter of Rain Forest Devastation.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2006-01-01 21:35 ]</font>

camz · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 138

Ok, and then what do you do for replacement rivets? I assume you make your own replacement
handles?

45PSS · Joined: 28 Sep 2001 Posts: 4081

I use 4-40 brass screws and nuts, cut the screws to flush with the bottom of the nut when tightned. Screw-origional brass washer-handle-focus hood door-origional bras washer-nut.

Another preson on this site removes the door, drills the piened end of the rivet off, cuts brass excursion pins to length, peins them with a hammer and anvil (a punch may be needed also).

camz · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 138

Yes, this worked out very well. Thanks!

john wilton · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 26

45PSS wrote:

Disconnect the view hood from the view door.
Using a Dremel (variable speed best) equiped with a #402 mandrel and either a #409 cut-off wheel or a #420 heavy duty cut-off wheel cut the rivet just above the backup washer on the peined end of the rivet.

After a couple of field trips one of the handle hold-down straps on my new C has quickly gone from intact to almost severed. With some trepidation I will decapitate the rivets. I imagine by turning the Dremel 90 deg in its little drill press and setting the camera on its side.

Replacement options: are the little straps buyable as spare parts? Have shoemaker (or self) fabricate? Make them from brass strip?

DHF845 · Joined: 20 Jul 2008 Posts: 103

Ask Bert Saunders. He has great plans, diagrams, etc. to replace handles, straps, or rivets on any Graflex camera ever made. You'll need a supply of extra-thick shoe leather, and pro-grade machines to cut and sew the pieces. I'm not a professional leather-worker, so I went to a shop that makes seats and saddle-bags for bikers (the Harley riders, not tour-de-france types).

bertsaunders · Joined: 20 May 2001 Posts: 577

Camz,
No need for the fancy tools, a single edge razor blade or a utility knife will suffice! I use several thickneses of tooling leather (Tandy) depending on the handle to be made....I use 1 - 1 1/2 oz to 5 - 6 oz material!....normal handles for the SLR's are made in 3 pieces! Sandpaper needed to smooth to final shape....the sewing I do only on the top layer with a standard houshold sewing machine.....because most shoe shops cannot sew anything as thick as these handles are! The straps are usually made with 2 pieces (dbl thickness), I cheat by gluing all pieces together, the sewing on the top layer makes them look authentic, and I usually use 2-56 screws with blind nuts to attach them, for easy replacement!
If requested, to be authentic, I fapricate new rivets and washers and peen them on an anvil!
Have a nice day.......Bert