Shutter cleaning

I have an Ilex no.3 Acme shutter that has a 215mm calumet series-s

caltar lens. Is there a safe way for me to clean it? I have read

about soaking shutters in lighter fluid. Some of the speeds are way

off. It also has a lever next to the dial to select flash sync that I

don't know what it's function is.

Is there some place I can get instructions for this shutter?

Thanks for any help this forum provides.

Soaking your shutter in lighter fluid will only accomplish the "clean" part of a full CLA (clean-lube-adjust), which is what your shutter probably needs. And even then, I've been told by enough knowledgable folks that the lighter-fluid treatment is not a good way to go (unless it's a dirt-cheap shutter.) The Ilex is a fine shutter and deserves a real CLA. Send it to a fine mechanic like Steve Grimes -- he CLA'd my Ilex #3 for about $60. The Ilex has two tensioning levers -- the one by the flash sync lever is for flash sync. If you want to use synchronized flash, you need to cock both levers. Check out Steve Grimes's website for more info on shutter repairs and Ilex shutters.

 

http://www.skgrimes.com/ilex/index.htm

I'll second the recommendation to send it to SK Grimes! Great service!

The suggestion to have it professionally CLA'd is probably the best idea. That said, I bought a lens on the cheap not long ago, which is in a No. 4 Alphax shutter that was way off on most of the speeds, esp the slower ones. I used the lighter fluid method to clean it. I didn't try for full immersion, but just open the shutter's case and put it in a pan and squirted Ronsonol over it two or three times over the course of a couple hours. Then I dried things out, mostly by using canned air and repeatedly cycling the iris and shutter. When it was dry, I used the smallest jeweler's screwdriver I had to carry oil for the ends of the shafts that the timing gears are on. I'm happy to report that all is well and all speeds are good.

If you don't feel very handy with tools, this isn't a good job for you.

 

I fixed up a Wollensak Alphax shutter with just a tiny amount of very high-grade synthetic oil. You can get oil for dental instruments and it will do the job. I used a jewler's screwdriver to put a touch of oil on the escapement gear and lever face, and worked it a few times. That did the trick!

john, FWIW, different makes and models of shutters are unique. I believe the Ilexs' used a material for the blades that will deteriorate in lighter fluid and, at least the Universals, were meant to be dry of lubrication. If you don't have the option of sending your shutter to a reputable shop, or if you just want to play around with one, then attempting a fix is an option. If you feel strongly about having a lens/shutter you intend to use and can afford it, don't take a chance---send it in.

I have had quite a bit of success with lighter fluid, an ultra sonic cleaner and very small amounts of oil and sometimes graphite. However, I have always done a partial disassembly first and I have invested manuals, and extensive tools to do it. I also count it as a win if I fix more than I ruin.

 

There are too many gotchas to list.

 

I started out on stuff that was worthless so I had no where to go but up. I also enjoy doing it, so if I take a $10 shutter and get 4 hours of diversion, it beats renting some of the movies that Hollywood is releasing now-a-days.

 

Long story short..... send it to Steve Grimes. When it really counts, I do.

 

Neal

I am in complete agreement. Across all formats, never disassemble a camera you might want to use again. I have had some good experiences, some bad. I have working cameras that I have partially disassembled, fixed and reassembled, and a couple of piles of itty bitty little parts.

 

I have some books on leaf shutters, they are still confusing.

 

Send it to someone who knows what they are doing if you want to use it again. I have met Mr. Grimes years ago when I was a student in Boston. Haven't met too many people before or since who know more about cameras.

 

tim in san jose