Graflex.org

[jrkess98]

OK...I know it needs either 43 or 68 balls and an unknown number of pin spacers of unknown length and diameter. Trouble is I have zero of either. How many, what diameter, etc??? The guy who sold me the unit said the balls were missing. So no rangefinder. What should I use? I can get these tiny Delrin balls to actually improve the product but what diameter is correct and won't jam?

John Kessler

[45PSS]

See the Top RF Pacemaker Service manual available at http://www.southbristolviews.com/ under the Graflex Manuals link.

The tube is a complete assembly and indivual parts are not listed but some of the plungers used do have deminsions listed in the referenced manual.
The Top RF Pacemaker and Super series cameras RF tubes are the same except for the actuator plunger. (bed end).
The tube is as follows: Spring-short plunger end- CAM-long plunger-43~45 balls, 43~45 spacers in ball spacer ball configuration-actuator plunger.

Ball diamater=.1085 inch. Spacer: diamater=.085 inch, length=.106 inch, concave on each end so that a ball and spacer =.205 inch in length.
Measurements from a 43 ball, 43 spacer tube.

Best bet is find a parts body and rob the complete tube from it. Disassemble the tube, wash all balls, spacers , plungers, and the inside of the tube with a degreaser that leaves no reisdue. Coat the balls, spacers, and plungers with extra fine graphite by rolling them around in the graphite. Reassemble the tube using no other luberication. Fine graphite is too coarse/heavy to work well.
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[jrkess98]

Great!!! The diameter is essential! Finding a 'parts body' probably won't happen soon, so I will go ahead and get the Delrin balls which should move easily without any lube in a clean tube. I guess then just keep adding balls until 'infinity' is correct...!

John Kessler