Clayton and now Robert's banding problems

>The gear is a blur...but every now and then you see two or three teeth as if they've stopped. Something must be dragging or catching to do this......is this a sign of something worn in there.....maybe worn bushes?

Sounds like worn "bushes", try screwing in a pinion gear and then wiggling it you can see if the journals move. Also, make extra sure there isn't something on of the gear teeth. The crud I've seen can sometimes be so jambed into the teeth it is barely noticable. I soak my gears in strong solvent overnight, then brush the teeth with a very fine BRASS brush. If you are sure they are clean, then suspect wear. A quick note, Don't let a clockmaker "rebush" the journal like they do clocks. They use an odd punch (closing tool) that surrounds the bearing and then they give it a smack. This "closes" the hole slightly and tightens the bearing. Not a good solution for a hard running mechinism like a cirkut unless the hole is reamed for full thickness. In clockwork, less is best because they are trying to reduce friction in a movement that has little power. BTW clock gears are totally different in design as well. Again made to reduce friction and not for power.

As for adjusting the governor, best advice is a lot of trial and error, but please make sure the end play adjustment is such that the governor is loose. I had the opportunity to dismantle a cirkut camera that had little use, and also had never been taken apart since factory assembled. The governor was loose. Thinking about it, this would alow for expansion.

Now for Robert,

>You mention that it is possible to get rid of banding! I have spent some time in the darkroom trying to take out wayward banding to little success. I have been disapointed by the print results from using photoshop and inkjet printing so far.

The solution to banding in cirkut cameras requires a complete doctoral thesis. Reducing the amount of banding is something that can be done much easier. Besides the standard recommendations of a thorough cleaning, lubing and adjustment of the mechanism, Great care in loading the film squarely and perhaps resting your finger on the camera during taking to add a slight load on the gear train will help. DON"T PUSH. In the lab, remove unwanted banding by making a mylar mask to lay over the negative that has the banding shaded out with pencil. More on that sometime later, I gotta go fishing, I mean I GOTTA GO FISHING

outta here,

Ron