Winder fell off my M6

[Stelios]

I was walking down the street, camera hanging from the shoulder, when I heard something falling off. At first glance it looked like the film winder. Checking my camera by feel I realised it WAS the film winder. No idea what it simply fell off...
Any ideas on getting it back or things to do before and after that?
I've attached two images..I hope they are visible.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Guess the screw that holds that part at its place, fell out first (btw it looks quite rusty underneath)

here is some instructive video as from 0.45 sec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbtqDd-4qPI

 

[Vickko]

Not really a big deal, just screw it back on, but screw it back on tight.

But all that corrosion on the washers underneath should be cleaned out and re-lubricated.

And there is supposed to be a set screw that holds the knob on. Is it still there? If not, I think it should be replaced.

 

[Stelios]

Thanks.

It is rusty. Hadn't noticed till now (obviously). The screw is lost (hence not realising when the winder fell off).
Do you think I need the whole thing replaced?
There goes another expensive repair...that's for not taking care of the camera.

 

[Stelios]

On a second look, I don't think there is a screw holding it. The winder just screws back on. I need to clean those washers now somehow...

 

[Vickko]

No, if you haven't lost any parts, you don't need to replace anything. And that slot on top of the shaft is for you to hold the shaft while you screw the knob back on. Clean off the washers, grease them up again and screw the knob back on tight.

Okay, there is one thing that you want to check. There is a slotted lock nut that holds the body cap on, and it is under all those washers. Check that it is tight. If it isn't, it needs to be tightened properly. I stress properly, because it is the top of a pair of lock nuts, and it squeezes together at the right height to hold the top cover on.

Good luck

Vick

 

[Stelios]

Everything seems tight. Two of the washers seem slightly bent (not the top or bottom one, just the ones in between). Other than that, they probably just need washing.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Vickko]

The "bent" washers are likely wave-springs. They are intentionally bent.

 

[Vickko]

See here

http://www.smalley.com/wave_springs/about_springs.asp

 

[bhop73]

On a second look, I don't think there is a screw holding it. The winder just screws back on. I need to clean those washers now somehow...

There IS a little screw that keeps it from unscrewing. If you don't see the screw, then yours is lost. You should see a tiny hole in the 'post' of the knob. If you don't replace the screw, then your winder will probably fall off again.. eventually.

You're lucky you didn't lose the winder itself. I lost mine just as i'd started a week long trip a couple years ago and rewinding was a pain in the ass the whole time. I ended up getting a new knob, but it cost me around $100 just for that little piece. Luckily I was able to get a locking screw at no charge from a local shop.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

The M4/M6 rewind is a joke. I told the leica guys that if they do any modification on Film leicas, make the rewind stronger and BRING BACK THE IXMOO reloadable metal Leica cassettes. The old cassette does not fit M7 or MP, rather make a new IXMOO II a slightly smaller and also a conversion kit for the bottom plate that it opens the cassettes. we will see what happens...

 

[Stelios]

There IS a little screw that keeps it from unscrewing. If you don't see the screw, then yours is lost. You should see a tiny hole in the 'post' of the knob. If you don't replace the screw, then your winder will probably fall off again.. eventually.

You're lucky you didn't lose the winder itself. I lost mine just as i'd started a week long trip a couple years ago and rewinding was a pain in the ass the whole time. I ended up getting a new knob, but it cost me around $100 just for that little piece. Luckily I was able to get a locking screw at no charge from a local shop.

I am VERY lucky I bothered looking at what fell on the street, bearing in mind I had my headphones on, I could've easily ignored it.

Not sure I can see where a holding screw would go, I'll have to compare it with another M6. I will just have to be careful until I get it fixed properly. It's due for a CLA at some point soon. Too much rust.

 

[Stelios]

The "bent" washers are likely wave-springs. They are intentionally bent.

How do you KNOW all these things!

Cheers

 

[bhop73]

I am VERY lucky I bothered looking at what fell on the street, bearing in mind I had my headphones on, I could've easily ignored it.

Not sure I can see where a holding screw would go, I'll have to compare it with another M6. I will just have to be careful until I get it fixed properly. It's due for a CLA at some point soon. Too much rust.

I'll look at mine when I get home and see if I can snap a pic.

 

[Stelios]

Cheers, that'd be helpful!

 

[Stelios]

Not that the rest of the comments weren't!
Thanks again guys!

 

[Damaso]

Happened to me too. You need a very, very small screw to secure it, try an optical shop...

 

[Landshark]

If you lift the rewind lever and look into the opening from the side, there's a set screw near the base of the knob.
Since the knob is off right now, just look around the bottom where it has the female threads.

 

[jordanstarr]

It's called a "set screw" and it's loose or gone. Either way, if you really tighten it on and keep an eye on it, it shouldn't fall off because the way you turn it to rewind it tightens it on naturally.

I'm shocked that the first response wasn't to take it in to get a CLA. Seems to be the typical answer to anything that goes wrong with a Leica. I bought the inside fork rewinding mechansim from Leica (NJ) for $10 with shipping to Canada. The set screw would be peanuts. Why send it in for a CLA? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you notice your speeds are off, or curtains bending, viewfinder messed up, why would you waste the money. Call Leica, tell them you need a set screw. $5 later I bet you'll have one. A small micro screwdriver from the dollar store will get it in. Cheap fix. Consider yourself lucky.

 

[Stelios]

Thanks.

Well if you look at the pictures you'l'l see the screw is still there (or at least I think that's the one we are talking about). I have now screwed it back on, so it should stay there. I didn't think of a CLA because I don't want to send the camera away yet if it isn't a major problem. Seemed something I could fix myself.