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Message |
    
Fredso0
Tinkerer
Username: Fredso0
Post Number: 4
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 17, 2009 - 02:09 pm: | 
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Hi,
I have an otherwise excellent and working Ensign Selfix 820 camera with a loose pin in the folding mechanism that has become detached from the strut on one side. Both the pin and the strut appear to be undamaged and it is possible to manipulate the pin back into place without any disassembly of the camera, but how do you keep it there so that the strut will lock into place as intended?
Regards,
Neil |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 547
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 10:35 am: |
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I take it that you are looking for a 'dodge' that will allow you to repair, without stripping the camera? This is possible but requires the fabrication of a specialised rivet setting tool to fit around the assembled struts, which is more complicated than stripping down the folding mechanism. Believe me it is not worth the effort!
Strip down the struts, very gently counter sink the pin hole on the side of the strut where the end of the pin is riveted. Use a sharp twist drill rotated in the fingers to just remove the lip of the hole. Place pin in strut and support assembly on a firm solid surface, I use a piece of brass - an old brass weight. You then spread out the end of the pin using a small diameter marking out/spotting punch - this should be approx 1/8 inch diameter at the end with a very sharp point ground at an angle of 45 - 60 degrees. Strike the punch with a small hammer and expand end of pin into the strut.
I have found that an 'Automatic Spotting Punch' is ideal for re-attaching/tightening strut rivets and pins. This is a small pen like device that contains a spring loaded pointed punch, which is used for marking drilling points on metal surface. You just place point where you want to mark drill position and push the tool down. The internal spring mechanism causes tool to 'strike' the punch, leaving a small depression. When used on small rivets/pins, the 'hammer' action soon spreads the metal of the pin into the strut and securely locates it.
The use of this small device negates the need for three hands, which you need, when you are trying to manipulate the broken pieces and use a hammer and small punch at the same time! |
Fredso0
Tinkerer
Username: Fredso0
Post Number: 5
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 19, 2009 - 04:02 pm: |
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Many thanks for your clear advice Glenn. I will follow your steps when I can find the time to do a good job and report back.
Regards,
Neil |
Fredso0
Tinkerer
Username: Fredso0
Post Number: 6
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 03:03 pm: |
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Job done in just the way advised (almost). As the Selfix 820 is a camera with a very simple strut arrangement I did risk making a riveting support to reach the pin with the camera still fully assembled. The use of the automatic punch made the riveting a one person two hands job just as advised. The punch was located in several positions around the edge of the pin to spread the end into the light countersinking. The use of a headband magnifier ensured a neat naked eye final result and the pin is most definitely secure. Many thanks again Glenn.
Regards,
Neil |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 588
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 06:37 pm: |
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Glad you found the job easy and simple. The automatic punch has proved an almost indispensable tool in my 'tools for repairing vintage cameras' box. |
