Graflex.org

[rabergfalk]

I need to replace the two holder that secure the back rack in the bottom of my speedgraphic. Any ideas of where to find them?

[t.r.sanford]

You raise a vexing question. From your description, I imagine that what you're looking for is the pair of horizontal grooved blocks fastened to the bottom of the camera body, in which the rear section of the track (Graflex called it a "yoke" is able to slide back and forth. The "Pacemaker" manual is not always straightforward on nomenclature, but I think those blocks are called "case guides" or "case yoke guides."

The difficulty is that parts like this are pretty much confined to bins in an ever-smaller number of camera repair facilities that service (or once serviced) "Graphic" cameras. It is not easy to find these facilities.

Those "Graphic" parts that turn up on the open market tend to come in large quantities of unspecified stuff. These seem to be offered by bewildered people who inherited the inventory of their deceased Uncle Louie's shop; the sellers usually have little or no idea of what parts are included.

The man who could solve your problem is Fred Lustig, who bought up the parts inventories of many of the defunct Graflex service centers in the United States. He is recovering from an illness, and seems not to be dealing with the outside world at present. If he surfaces again, I'm sure you'll read about it here.

Meanwhile, you have at least three options:

(1) Continue to ask well-established camera repair shops whether they have the parts.

(2) Look for an unserviceable "Graphic" with intact case guides, and cannibalize it.

(3) Make your own. There probably are many ways to do this, and some wouldn't require much in the way of tools. For example, looking at the thing, you could duplicate it by using three metal strips. The two wider ones would sandwich a narrower one of suitable thickness. You can get brass strips from many hobby stores.

...and if you do find somebody who owns a warehouse full of Graflex parts and knows what they are, please let us know right away!

[Les]

I would also be nice to know which model (Anny or Pace) and format (2x3, 3x4, 4x5)

_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

[rabergfalk]

I sorry, long day and short on details.

I have a 'pace' Speedgraphic 4X5. It was my grandfathers and I am begining my adventures in large format after 25 years in 35mm.

I like the idea of brass. I was also thinking I could tinker with epoxy that I have left over from restoring my sailboat. It is pretty tough stuff.

Right now I am waiting on two shops that may have the parts I am looking for. Ideally, I think I will try to find a camera I can use for parts. Neither of us is getting any younger. It would at least be nice to have some spare parts for when the camera really falls apart.