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[meganmphoto]

Is there anyone that has any info on how to properly replace the front rails of a Crown Gralfex 4x5? I bought a 4x5 Graflex with broken rails. I then found a set of replacement rails. I just don't want to damage the camera in any way while trying to replace the rails. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[troublemaker]

There's nothing very technical about it.
Remove the lens and board to lighten the front standard.
With the standard back in the body, and the front bed in its dropped position, the front standard should then pull right off the back rails with a little forward focus to makethe guides clear. Thus you shouldn't have to pull the bellows all the way off the front. (then put the drop bed back in its standard position after rolling the focus rails back
Then simply remove the rail guide machine screws and lift the rails and remove the guides (try and use a driver that fits the screw heads properly and be careful not scratch things with the edges, and note that these can break easily; they are often brass screws and soft. Before I dissassemble one of these cameras a let a bit of tri-flo lubricant sit on these fasteners overnight to soak in, and found this to be a good remedy for the more corroded cameras that have sat around in dungeons for years, but do it to all now.). The pieces underneath the rails can be left in place, and if removed make certain to lay things out so that you can put things back the way they were. It may be better to leave them in with the focussing axle rod left in place as the springs and spacers that actuate the drop bed hinge arms are not as easily replaced (and are much easier to re-instal with the body slide locks removed which are held with tiny wood screws and I like not to remove them unless necessary for a complete tear down). Make sure to clean the new guides and rails and then apply a thin coat of light grease to the grooves and a small amount to the focussing rack gears. Looking at the camera facing you, install the left rail loosely. lay the new rail into this and then work the right guide into place and fasten loosly. then snug the rails with a couple front and back screws but not too tight and check allignment with back guides running focuss in and out. Then loosen one side and then the other applying inward pressure where appropriate to tighten the tension against the rails but keeping in mind the allignment side to side. You may find that tightening the back and then the front etc may help in getting the tension you desire, but try not to make them too tight and thus causing unwanted wear of the rails or guides etc. when finished wipe away any excess grease that works out of the guides.
Also check the allignment of the rear guides with relation the the front guides. They should be very closely alligned to the front to prevent unecessarry wear and often these are factory shimmed, but things change when parts are changed etc.. Watch closely as you run the front and rear rails in and out between the front and back and look for any side or up and down movement or tightness etc... These rear guides are easly re-shimmed but to do so is inherently easier with the camera completely dissassembled and the bellows removed. Use a small machinists rule or similar straight edge to check all these allignments

[ This Message was edited by: troublemaker on 2006-05-01 12:13 ]

[ This Message was edited by: troublemaker on 2006-05-01 17:15 ]

[45PSS]

Or go to http://www.southbristolviews.com/, download the Pacemaker Serivec manual (under graflex manuals link in left palne), then follow the instructions. Problem man"s post is in the ballpark.

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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[troublemaker]

Who is Problem Man?