I am trying to disassemble my CG front standard so that I can reinstall it with forward tilt instead of the factory rear tilt. I am not able to remove the two movement locking knobs. They loosen so far then stop. They seem to be pinned in place with a slot in the bolt. How do I safely remove these knobs so that I can reverse the front standard and gain forward tilt without hurting the assembly?

John near Seattle
My go-to 4X5 camera is my rock-solid Crown Graphic.

I shouldn 't recommend this, but force worked for me.

Dan Fromm wrote:

I shouldn 't recommend this, but force worked for me.

Thanks, Dan. I got my illuminated high magnification loupe out. It seems the end of the bolt has been flared/peened out. It is clever because it looks like a slotted screw head. If the knob were a hard steel I would probably try your suggestion. Now I'm considering something that might be able compress or abrade the flared metal that is keeping the knob from proceeding. I would also be working in a very confined space. My concern is parts availability and expense if my effort turns south.

The shafts on Graflex Corp. cameras are staked to prevent knobs from coming off by accident.
Using force as Dan did usually results in the threads of the knob being stripped beyond use.
I usually take a pair of pliers and press inward on the end of the shaft so to close the slot then on the ends of the slot. I have had one side of the slot break off when either removing the stake or when attempting to stake after reinstallation of the knob.

As long as you cam remove enough of the staking so that the knob will unscrew without stripping its threads is all that is needed.