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Shutter replacement in a 3x4 RB B

 
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Leek



Joined: 12 Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Southeast USA

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am a newbe to this forem. I have been into amateur LF photography for 25 years or so, and have worked and modified many cameras over the years.(Mostly successfully!) But now I am stuck! I am attempting to replace a holey shutter in a RB B. I have the manual and have the new shutter cut and installed (Microtools material) and working sans slits. I have figured out where to mark to cut the slits ok, but I am stumped as what to use for the brass reenforcement strips! The old ones don't want to come off the old curtain and the little tabs break off when you try to unfold them. I think the material in the origional strips is .010 thick brass bent into a "U" shape. I have located some 4"x10" sheet brass to cut and bend into shape, but I am having no luck at all. It curls when I try to cut it with tin snips, and it is VERY hard to bend due at least partly to the narrow width. Will .005 material work? I would be easier to bend into shape. Is there a source for these strips somewhere? Help!
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bertsaunders



Joined: 20 May 2001
Posts: 577
Location: Bakersfield California

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

email me at
bsaunders1@bak.rr.com
I will send advise you on proper brass thickness, and a way to save the old stiffners!....Bert
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semihemi



Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 85
Location: Boston, MA

PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I was on the same hunt I spoke with a hobby specialist at the local flea market. He remarked on the springiness of the original Graflex stays. He opined that they were not ordinary brass, but rather were "berylium copper" or "berylium brass" or some such. He showed to me lengths of both and indeed the "berylium" version was much springier (also somewhat redder in color, like the Graflex originals). He had quite a variety of thicknesses and widths of the stuff, so more hunting may help. The flea market opens in April and if he is still there I will see if he has a website. In the meantime you are in good hands with Bert! Bert walked me through my first rebuild and I am now the proud owner of a functioning 4 x 5 reflex.

JC
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Leek



Joined: 12 Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Southeast USA

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 2:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the replies. I have contacted Bert and I am looking forward to getting this old RB running again!
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bertsaunders



Joined: 20 May 2001
Posts: 577
Location: Bakersfield California

PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 4:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

JC,
Have come up with another fabrication method, and it seems to work better than the orig method, altho much more time consuming....Bert
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semihemi



Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 85
Location: Boston, MA

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 2:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Bert - I would love to hear about the new method. Is it something that will fit on the forum here? I would be particularly interested at this time because the Great 5x7 Graflex Shutter Rebuild project will be kicking off relatively soon in my basement.

JC
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disemjg



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

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 2:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have not tried this myself, but have read that one approach is to simply glue the replacement strips to the curtain. Evidently the crimping is not required. The same source suggested the metal strips from a cheap wooden ruler as being suitable; doubtless this is soft, easily bent metal. If indeed the original strips are hard and springy they may have made it that way for a reason. Or you could go to the hobby shop and try to find suitable narrow brass stock to use.
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