CLA Hiccups

[Mikeds80]

My Fed's shutter is capping and I'm getting uneven exposures and even banding on one speed. I decided to clean and lube the innards but my disassembly only got as far as the RF lens. I had improvised a lens spanner on a previous project but am not comfortable using such an iffy contraption so close to actual glass.

I have two questions. First, where can I get a lens spanner on the cheap? I came across micro tools but would like to know if there are any other options.

Secondly, One of the grub screws on my shutter speed dial has the head almost completely stripped out, making it very difficult to tighten enough to keep the dial from creeping out of alignment. Does anyone have an idea where I can find a replacement? Even the thread size would be a big help.

Thanks!

 

[wolves3012]

Which model of FED is it? For the RF prism, find a piece of flat thin bar and grind out a rectangle to make a notch that'll fit over the prism and engage on the two notches. I've made one from a nickel spatula, the sort found in chemistry labs, works for me!

I may have a spare grub-screw, depending on which model FED you have - PM me and I'll take a look.

 

[Alowisney]

I ran into the same problem you did on my Fed 2. I tried several things and had to finally give up and go to the local camera shop and borrow a spanner to get it off.

I think you can find a relatively cheap spanner on Amazon. I think I saw one for about $15.

 

[fidget]

I use a pair of pointed piers, sharp enough to get the point into the slot (can be damaging if it slips). Before you do though, these lenses are often stuck in with a kind of resin which is softened with alcohol. Try a bit of surgical spirit to see if it helps.

 

[Mikeds80]

Thanks guys! I'll try some alcohol on it. It definitely has some kind of resin on it, I don't know how they could have torqued it without marring the brass.

Update: The alcohol worked. I managed to use some small screw drivers in an adjustable wrench to get it out. For the RF adjustment screw right next to the lens, does the cover screw thread into the adjustment screw or only into the top cover? The hole in my top cover doesn't line up with the brass screw underneath and the cover screw no longer threads in.