Re: Cirkut calibration

[Ron Klein <panorama@xxxxxxx>]

> > >
> Just finished cleaning my #8 for the second time; and minor pecuneriaties
> need answers.
>
> You wrote, Oiled.  Didn't previous discussions describe in threatenoning
> detail about grafite powder, never oil?

Graphite powder is for lubrication of the main spring ONLY.  If the spring
is oiled the it becomes temperature sensitive and will not run well when
cold.  If you remove the cover of the spring housing and it hasn't been
oiled by a past owner, then leave it alone.  It is a real job getting the
spring out and cleaning it and re-graphiting it as it is put back in.  You
can easily tell if oil has been added.  Graphite looks like little flakes,
oil is crud, and of course OILY.  Be sure to match the scratch marks on the
side of the housing so the cover is properly placed.


> When reassembling the spring housing there's a plate on top, held by three
> posts, be sure to grafite that, too?  ... when it slips over the spring
> housing ... ?

A very small drop of oil applied with a small brush is more than enough at
this point.  The mainspring is at it's most power there so it really doesn't
make much difference as to friction.  It isn't a bearing surface.  The plate
is punch marked, make sure that the mark is pointing away from the
geartrain.

> Okay ... what's the reccomended libricant for the gears?

The brass gears themselves should run DRY and as clean as possible.  Oil is
applied to the journal shafts, and very sparingly.  Again use a small brush
to apply less than a drop, then wipe up the extra after a quick run.  Oil
attracts dirt.  If the gears are lubed then the chance of something getting
stuck in the gears is high.  I also take masking tape and seal the upper
plate to the base plate to keep as much dirt and whatever away from the gear
train.  More than once I have seen small bits of paper leader mashed into
the gears.  Ever wonder why you have banding?

BTW,  A reasonably good oil to use for the cirkut is simply sewing machine
oil.  This is a little heavy, but most people use the camera on nice summer
days, so no problem.  At zero degrees or colder like we get in Alaska,
forget oil altogether but oil when it warms up.


Hope this helps

Ron