changing rail on a Calumet cc400

[emmanuel_binot]

I've got an old 4x5 Burke and James Orbit with a 20-inch rail which

is equivalent to a Calumet cc400. I've just bought a used 13-inch

rail but encounter a few difficulties in the substitution process.

The rail caps simply won't seem to go away therefore sliding them in

and out of the braces seems somewhat impossible. Apart from sawing

one of these end caps off, what could I do ?

[jim_galvin]

I would loosen the setscrews, and then knock it off with a hammer and some kind of a punch, maybe even a large screwdriver. The hammer would be sliding along the rail as it comes up to the punch.

[emmanuel_binot]

thanks for your superfast answer. I may try your solution yet I haven't found any sort of screw on the endcap just two small rivets. Any other suggestion will be kindly appreciated.

[jim_galvin]

I'll look at mine tonight, I haven't removed my caps, I thought those were small allen head setscrews. I'll get back to you tomarrow.

[bob_gentile]

Emmanuel,

 

My B&J rail doesn't have any caps -- just a screw head at each end. But... if there are rivets on yours, they can be drilled out. Just center-punch and drill the rivet head. Then, knock the head off and drive the rivet out.

 

Depending on how the rivets are attached, they can be replaced with new rivets (a rivet gun is VERY inexpensive) or machine bolts. If the rivets go all the way through the rail, a machine bolt with an acorn nut will work well and look good.

[jim_galvin]

On my Calumets the cap is held on with one or two allen head set screws, 3/32 allen. Loosen 2 turns, the cap comes off easily. If yours arre different, you may have to drive out a pin.

[profhlynnjones]

To Jim Galvin, are you the son of my life long friend Jim Galvin who died a year or so ago? If so, feel free to contact me at lynn@austincc.edu

 

Regarding the B&J Orbit. I worked for the Original Calumet, asst. to the VP of Marketing, Eastern Mgr, and Western Mgr. Furthermore, I was VP of B&J. The cameras are similar looking but certainly not the same.

 

Lynn

Prof. H. Lynn Jones

[emmanuel_binot]

thanks to all for your useful comments and suggestions. There are indeed som pretty old allen head screws (all I need is to machin an old allen wrench since 3/32th of an inch is sort of in between 1,5 and 2mm).

 

Thanks again.