Graflex.org

Weather Systems · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Hello Folks!
My name is Austin and I am new to this form.
I recently purchased a Crown Graflex and couldn't be happier with this little box.

Except for one very small detail; it won't latch shut. The rest of the camera is in beautiful condition but from what I have gathered there is a tiny little strip of metal missing. This little strip sits on end of the drop bed and comes in contact with a clip on the inside top of the camera body when you close it. The release on my camera is on the top of the body NOT the side.

Now my question for you folks is simple. Do you have any suggestions of where to find this part or how to fab my own version of it? It is such a tiny little part but it does so much!

I have torn through the internet trying to find some information on it but there is NOTHING at all. Even trying to find pictures of others latches is seemingly impossible.

Any information, anything at all would be greatly appreciated. I know I'm new to this all but I am ever so eager to learn!

Thanks again Dolls and Guys,
Austin R. Hermann

45PSS · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:45 pm Post subject:

http://www.southbristolviews.com/
Graflex manuals link to Graflex Top RF Service manual
Index 47,48, & 49 fig. 3 page 29 for the case portion;
Index 18 fig. 7 page 36, bed portion.
incorrect information removed.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Henry · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:27 am Post subject:

I have no idea whether your Crown is like my Century, which has a slit cut into the metal trim on the bed, and a "lip" on that trim engages the spring clip inside the top of the camera box; there is no separate part, as such, that functions as a catch. Check to see whether your Crown has this set-up; it could be that the lip has been flattened or otherwise deformed so that it no longer catches the clip. If this is the case, you can surely recreate the lip with a blade, such as a knife or screwdriver, by bending the slit open a tad.

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

All Crown Graphics are not alike. The pre 1955 models with the side mounted Kalart rangefinder and the top release button use the same door and latch as the Anniversary models. Sorry to say, the little tab that engages the latch is part of the door. You will either need to make something yourself, or install a new door. You may want to look in the vendors section on this site for Fred Lustig, and give him a call during business hours. Perhaps he can offer an answer to your problem. In the meantime, tie it shut with a strap, like I have to do with two later model with missing latch parts. Searching, always searching for those.....
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

I was looking at my cameras out of curiosity, and there are certainly two different types of trim pieces. I thought maybe they made one part and used for either type of catch, but not so.
The thing I was wondering was if I thought one could loosen the screwsinthebed and lift the guides enough to slip a new trim piece underneath. I like to take everything apart and clean and lube anyways, but I think if the springs under the focussing pinion slip out one would have to dissassemble anyway.

45PSS · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

I took a look at the downloaded version of the Anniversary manual that I have and it shows a latch that appears to be a spring loaded pin type but the copy does not give enough detail to make one from scratch.

The copy of the side RF Pacemaker from craigcamera says that the early pacemaker bed portion of the latch is rivited to the bed and the manual I first referenced shows the later Pacemaker latch well enough to fabricate a piece by looking at the existing camera and measuring the basic opening in the bed edge trim piece and the distance from the push button to the closed bed edge.

(Being the strikeout feature of BB Code is disabled I simply removed the erroneous information in my first post.)
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Weather Systems · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks for your input guys that helps a bit.
I forgot to mention this before but my graflex is from 1968' and has the Top RF.
Here are some pictures of my latch and bed

As you can see the bed is completely flat. There are a few scuff marks where it looks like there was some sort of metal or something there.
Or perhaps it was just the latch hitting the bed?
If anyone is able to post pictures of their camera's latch system that would help greatly.
Once again you folks have been a great help!

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

The little piece that's missing is a little tab that is part if the aluminum base of the door. It was in the center and was just a tongue that was folded over the edge of the bed. About 5/8" wide and 1/8" or so hanging down fom the edge of the bed on the inside of the door. It hooked on the bent back portions of the latch to hold it closed. The button on top pushes those down to release the door. I don't think I'll be able to post a picture, but I'll try. If you can look at a copy of the Anniversary model repair manual, you should be able to see it. It's not a replaceable part, by itself. Yours is the first top rangefinder model I've run across with that latch. It might be a camera someone assembled from parts. I have a latch, but, like I said, the other part is part of the door.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

Okay, I see what your problem is now. You have a door for the late model Pacemaker series, but someone has removed the catch for the side button mechanism. Look at the two little marks (holes) by the top inside of the door. This is where the catch was attached. Someone else apparently installed a top button, thinking it would work. Here, I hope, is a picture of the two types. On the left is a late door aand on the right is an earlier door with thetop button. See the little tongue? that's what holds the door closed on the top button models.

You can install an Anniversary front door, it will interchange, but be warned, it's a lot of work.
Not the best picture, I know, but it's a crappy digicam. Click the picture to enlarge it. Hope this helps.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Weather's is a late model top RF and looks like all he needs is a replacement escutcheon trim piece, which is obviously missing. Someone probably destroyed once try to pry the camera open. I've seenmore than one Graphic camera this has happened to. A couple I have been able to straighten and polish so they look decent. But if folded, game over, so someone probably pulled it all the way out and tossed. That would be my guess.
By the way, I believe these are made of stainless steel rather than aluminum. If it were aluminum, the piece would not last very long at all.
Call Fred Lustig and see if he had a replacement part forthelate model Pacemaker. You canfind his number by searching theforums, and you can get the actual part number from the manual posted above.
It would probably be better than mickey mousing the camera, esspecially since it is in otherwise very nice condition.

Henry · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject:

Right, just as I suspected. OP's pictures show a spring clip that's identical to the one on my Century, and the trim piece on the bed is missing. And Stephen is also right that the missing piece is not aluminum; mine attracts a magnet. The trim appears to be just a press or crimp fit onto the bed (door). Obtain and install that piece, and the problem is solved!

Weather Systems · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Well I can't thank you guys enough.
All of your information has been very helpful! I am going to contact the listed person and see if I can get a replacement for the latch; if not, I am pretty handy so I will just fab something for my camera.
Thanks again for all your help!
You'll be seeing more of me for sure!
Regards,
Austin r. Hermann

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

The trim piece is stainless steel, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the latch, new or old style. It's trim. Nothing else. I can send you the trim piece, but I doubt if it will help. The camera has been "modified" and what I showed in the pictures, and what I told you is the facts. Period.
I can also send you a bare door with the proper latch piece (which yours doen't have) and the trim piece in place. Then you would need to get rid of that top button latch and re-install the missing side button parts. Those I don't have.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Really, it's not modified. It looks exactly like my Top RF Crown, which I just pulled out and looked, which it uses the trim piece as the catch. Every one of my top button Pacemakers and Century camera bodies opperates in this way. The side button is a different animal and that has the double catch riveted to the front of the bed as described above.

Henry · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:31 am Post subject:

No doubt about it, glenn and troublemaker are talking two different style mechanisms here, but from OP's photo it's clear that troublemaker and I are referring to what he's got. And here I must correct myself on my original post up above (third post in this thread): there is no "slit" in the metal trim piece, it's simply a "lip" that's formed out of the trim material itself.