Graflex.org

[Jim C.]

I already own a 4x5 and I recently got a 5x7 stationary back carcass,
it doesn't have the rollers for the shutter but all the other shutter hardware
seems to be there at least when I compare it to my 4x5 RB.

Naturally aside from the shutter curtain length, width, and slit spacing I'm curious
about how much hardware is shared on the 5X7 Graflex SLR shutter mechanisim
to the other versions such as the roller diameter and roller pinion gear ?

Oh, and the serial number is - 135491

[45PSS]

135491: 8 from the end of a batch of 100 5x7 Graflex Series B listed in January 1924 with the next batch listed April 1924.

If memory is correct roller diameter is the same for all formats. Pinion gears on the rollers are possibly the same with the wind and tension gears different between formats.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[Jim C.]

Thanks for the info on the date of this carcass, I have to wonder if I'm masochistic enough to attempt to make new shutter rollers if they're the
same diameter as the 4x5.

[45PSS]

the roller diameter is the same but i'm uncertain about the pinion gears.
i've only had experience with 8x10 fps, 2x3, 3x4, and 4x5 graflex slr's; the 3A is the same diameter but different assembly (top), totally different bottom.

The tension roller is a shell that the ends screw into. The pinion end has a hole through the shaft that the end of the spring goes into and makes a half loop around the shaft. The spring is a spiral with no space between turns that runs from the pinion cover end to the idler end. The idler end cap has a slot in the threads and the end of the turns up 90° to the slot then another 90° turn outward until it reaches the end of the cap threads then turns 90° left or right. The idler cap screws on first, the pinion cap turns freely on the shaft.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[Jim C.]

Thank you for more info on the shutter rollers, I still have my 4x5 RB disassembled and checked that pinion gear on the tension roller
against the tension selector ( if I'm calling it right ) on the 5x7 and
it seems a good match, only issue is the pin ends
seems larger than the 4x5's and won't fit the tensioner bearing holes.

It seems like it might be a futile search for a pinion gear wire
that matches, it has 7 teeth, most of what I find is in
multiples of 2 ( 6, 8, 16 ).

I seem to have lost you on the tension roller roller info, I got the
info in the spring and how it attaches on the pinion shaft that runs thru
the tension roller, not sure what you mean by idler, the top roller ?

Any idea what the spring diameter is and wire size ?

[45PSS]

Top is a spring attached to the shaft from a Series C, 3x4 format; lower is the "idler" cap showing the slot for the tension spring from a 3x4 Auto. The hole is one I drilled as the spring was damaged and would slip out of the slot. The final turn in the spring should lay in the gap between the threads and the end of the cap, where I drilled the hole.

The 3x4 RB Auto spring is .020 thick wire, tension rating unknown.

I would measure the bushing opening at the wind gear and tension plate to base the shaft diameter on and make or have them made. Although the original was machined on the shaft a separate gear can be made and attached with solder or a pin.

To unscrew the caps from the tension roller place a spanner into the holes in the cap and turn while holding the center portion stationary. Remove the left (idler) end first then the gear end, reassemble gear end first then the idler end.

(3A error edited.)
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[Jim C.]

Wow, thanks a million for the photos, clears up a lot of unknowns
for me since my 4x5 tension roller seems a bit tight to unscrew
by hand, I'll have to make a spanner wrench to try it again.