Graflex.org

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2156 Location: New Jersey

I just bought a 2x3 Crown. The front standard won't clear one of the infinity stops at all and will clear the other with a little difficulty when both are folded down. I've compared the Crown's front standard with my 2x3 Pacemaker Speed's; the ends of the Speed's front standard curl up a little. The Crown's has a flat bottom like my Century's, but the Century's has a lot more clearance.

Filing on the Crown's front standard is possible but can't possibly be the right solution. Any suggestions? After I took the bad 'un off the front standard cleared the other. FWIW the bad 'un is on the right side.

And yes, I've searched this site already and found nothing relevant.

TIA,

Dan

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

I assume that the infinity stops are the same design as the stops on your other cameras; while I have never seen design variations on infinity stops, you can never tell what may have been done over the past fifty years.

Fold the stops and run a straight edge over the yoke rails; it should pass over the stops and not be blocked by them. If it is blocked, there is something wrong with the stops that needs investigation or replacement.

If the straight edge has no problem, my guess is that the front standard got hit and sags below the yoke rail on one side (or to a lesser extent, both sides). I have had cameras with front standards distorted this way, but never to the extent that they did not clear the infinity stops. Look at the camera head-on, critically, and see if you can detect any distortion in the standard.

If the standard is bent, take it apart as far as you can and try to straigten it. Do not expect that to be an easy job, as it is tough and you do not want to overcorrect the problem. Another difficulty will be getting at the spot you want to hit, as full disassembly may not be an option. At least I never put in the effort to force the last bits apart since they seemed to be intended as a permanent assembly. Use small wooden blocks and long punches to do the job. I remember fixing one using small blocks and a "C" clamp to squeeze the base back into alignment, and such controlled force is the best way to go.

[ This Message was edited by: disemjg on 2006-06-04 16:43 ]

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2156 Location: New Jersey

Rangemaster · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject:

Dan,

Is it possible that they may be stops from a different manufacture? I read, heard or saw somewhere that some of the other manufactures stops were a little different and could cause this problem if installed on the graphic cameras...It has been a few years ago, that I got this information, but could be wrong, but it seems I remember something about busch stops on a graphic causing problems...

Of course I am getting older and the memory demons sometimes pop up, so I could be all wet LOL

Dave

_________________
Focus on the Picture, Not on the Glass.
Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2156 Location: New Jersey

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

Midwest recently told me they had stops available.

Otherwise, the old stops can be worked over. Either file or stone the high edge. I have never tried to cut one of these, and I suspect that the blade of the stop is hardened. You'll know if the file slides off of it. I suspect that you only need to take a little off of it, and the side that faces up has a narrow ridge that is what you need to reduce. Since you are reducing a small, narrow edge it should go pretty fast.

FWIW, I checked one of my cameras and while the front standard moves without any interference, the folded stops do rise slightly above the rails. I suspect that your camera just has a combination of tolerances that "add up in the wrong direction" and creates the interference.

[ This Message was edited by: disemjg on 2006-06-06 18:15 ]