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Damian
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 11:16 am: | 
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Hi there,
I'm 'restoring' my first camera, and in this case, it is an Agfa Ventura 66 (Isolette) I found at a junk shop for $5. It's a good camera to cut my teeth on and get used to how things go. With that in mind, I really don't care much if it works when I'm done.  I've successfully CLA'd the shutter and removed and cleaned the top plate, etc. Problem I'm having is with the front element. The old lubrication is stuck fast. It's been soaking in Ronsonol for more than 2 days now, and I still can't budge it. I've wrapped each element with rubber tape and hose clamps, and it just won't come apart. Can anyone suggest a different solvent that will work better? Should I just let it soak for a week? Give up? Let me know.
-Damian |
rick oleson
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 02:59 pm: |
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Hi Damian:
Keep it soaking. Agfa lubricated their lenses with Super Glue, it takes some time. When you try to unscrew it, you will have to apply considerable force, but apply it slowly. Sort of like a car shock absorber, it will resist fast motion more strongly than slow motion... so if you apply a lot of force and are patient, you may be able to start it moving very slowly and get it off.
Once it's off, it will still need a lot of cleaning. Keep scrubbing the threads with Ronsonol until there is no trace of green crud.
rick = |
Scott
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 07:56 pm: |
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I broke a nice lens the first time I tried to "un-stick" an Agfa lens like yours using tools.
The next time, I tried heating the two stuck pieces a few minutes in the oven. Then, I took it out with oven mitts and was able to unscrew the two pieces with just moderate force (no tools). I think the heat softens the old grease somewhat.
On other cameras with hardened grease in the focus threads, I have been able to loosen things up by soaking the stubborn pieces a couple of days in strong alcohol. What I used was industrial-use alcohol. The stronger, the better perhaps.
I had assumed lighter fluid would be the best solvent, and so I tried that first. But, evidently, on that particular sort of grease, the alcohol was a better solvent. |
Damian
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 08:59 am: |
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Scott,
I'm going to try the oven thing. I don't really have access to anything other than 70% isopropyl alcohol. I've already damaged the brass on the front of the lens a little even though I was trying to be careful.
Thanks for your help, everyone. |
Scott
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 08:13 pm: |
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I know that auto parts stores and even well-stocked hardware stores will sell pure alcohol for cleaning purposes. |
Charlie Tuna
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 06:09 am: |
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A link for 99% (as good as you'll need) Isopropyl Alcohol reasonably priced, 16oz/$2.99:
http://www.first-aid-product.com/industrial/isopropyl-alcohol.htm |
David Burton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 03:33 pm: |
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I ran into the same problem on the lens of my Agfa Isolette. Soaking 2 days in mineral spirits did not dissolve the hardened grease in the helicoid threads. Gentle heat from a soldering gun and propane torch did not help. Maybe more heat would have helped, but I was afraid to risk damage.
A few hours soaking in a glass jar partially filled with lacquer thinner and covered with a lid made a BIG improvement. By working the threads back and forth, followed by continued soaking, I was able to separate the elements. Be advised that lacquer thinner is very flammable. Also, remember to grip the lens with plastic or rubber to avoid marring the housing. |
Rob
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 07:42 pm: |
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Here is how I have done a few after regular soaking in lighter fluid did not work. I put the lense in a shallow metal pan, cover it with fluid and then used the heat from a small lamp to warm the fluid, the warm fluid will circulate and get into the threads and in a few hours it will be easy to unscrew. of course dont ignite the fluid! |
Winfried
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 05:20 am: |
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Usually this problem can be solved with a hot air gun in a few minutes. After trying an hour or so with various solvents I used this device and after two minutes or so of heating (without additional solvents) the front element could be unscrewed. This has worked on other "stiff focus" lenses as well. |
