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45PSS · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2003 7:59 am Post subject:

I have two Super Speed bodies, both rangefinders needed work. To remove the balls, spacers, and plunger rods I decrimped the top (spring) end of the tube and debured the inside edge with a #36 drill bit then carefully tapped the parts out. One tube has 45 balls and 42 spacers; the other 44 balls and 42 spacers.
Now, the rangefinder coupling was broken off on one and the other complete, however the material was brittle and broke during handling. The origional configuration was a pin protruding from the end plunger with a small crimp ring holding the coupler on the pin. The pin appears to be steel, no idea what the plunger is made from (non magnetic).
How did they put the pin in the plunger? Any suggestions for replacing the pin? The plunger cannot be removed until the pin comes out. So far using small pliers and pulling causes it to break and side cutters only cut it off. And yes, the main tube is Brass.

Charles

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[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2003-03-27 00:11 ]

45PSS · Posted: Thu May 01, 2003 8:07 am Post subject:

Well, I still don't have a clue as to how they made it,but....The balls and spacers are steel, The bottom plunger or rod with the pin is a brass alloy, the pin is steel, and the retainer for the coupler aluminum.
Diamond coated grinding stone in a Dremmel ground off the old pin enough to remove it; used #56-#60 dril bit to remove the rest of pin from rod. A lot of experminenting with eyeglass screws ground down failed. Filled hole in plunger with silver solder. Cut large head streight pin and ground head down. Heated solder and inserted pin thru coupler into the origional now filled hole. Ground suplrus solder and pin end off. Cut tube end in line with slot and reinserted.
Rangefinder coupler sticks around 5 foot indication on flash coupler. Works fine from there to infinity. Now to make cams for some of my other lens and maeby improve listed instructions.

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