Hello all, hoping some of you may have some solutions, or know someone in my area who might.

I just picked up an old Speed Graphic kit for a reasonable price. But I've got a problem with the rear rail. I don't know the correct terminology here, but hopefully I'll get the point across. You know those slots that the rails fit in? Well, the rear ones that hold the rear rail in, they are worn away and even broken, it appears. Part of each side is still there, so they still control the rear rails... however, if I do any kind of quick movements, the rear rail will bust out of those aligning slots. This is annoying.

Also, there is a long lever back there, that kind of "fits" into the slot of a pulley-like knob attached below the bellows on my left facing the lens. The lever touches the slot of that pulley looking thing, but it's connected all the way up at the top, to what appears to be the rangefinder. Well, that lever appears bent and is always interfering with the struts that lock and unlock to open and unopen the camera. It interferes with the struts when I'm moving the camera backwards... it gets stuck behind the strut, and then it locks up behind that strut...causing pressure which then derails the rear rails.

Annoying! I'm sure I confused the heck out of most of you... but maybe you all know someone in the greater Boston area I could take this thing to get checked out. It doesn't seem to be serious major problem, it's just a mechanical annoyance which makes the whole experience of shooting much less enjoyable. In fact, I haven't even shot with it yet.. see???

Thanks for any help, Jeff

This has been covered many times before but if you use the search function you get a lot of unnecessary along with the desired post and would take 2 or 3 days of reading to find the answer:

1. Got to http://www.southbristolviews.com/
click on Graflex manuals in the left
plane, then download the pdf file
Pacemaker Service Manual for top RF
Pacemaker Speed & Crown cameras.

The rail blocks will <I><B>Break</I></B> if the bed is closed with the rails partially extended (not fully retracted). <font size=+1>IF </font>they are not too bad then they can be transposed which will solve the problem to a major degree. If the rail blocks are too far apart that will give the appearance of being worn. Pay attention to the shims under the blocks when removing. The Side RF Pacemaker is the same body as the Top RF except for the holes for the RF.

2. Go to the Technical Information page of
this site (accessable from the Home Page)
and click on Kalart Rangefinder.

The rangefinder arm should be in a straight line from the RF connect point to the bed. Straighten the arm if bent. Refer to the installation instructions if the arm is loose or need to be moved at the RF connect point.

Enjoy,
Charles


_________________
Graflex Corp.was a <font color=white>(silent)</font> supporter of Rain Forest Devastation.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2006-09-29 19:17 ]</font>