DIY clean and lube

[todd_jacobs]

<p>I got the crazy idea to clean and lube my IIIa myself. I'm pretty good at minuscule repair for other things. I'd like to tackle this as a project. Specifically, what tools will I need to complete the job and where can I obtain them?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

[rick_donnelly]

<p>You might start by checking out Thomas Tomosy's books on camera repair, and maybe getting a copy of the factory repair manual from Craigcamera.com. The hardest part is finding the right lubricants and of course if anything is broken and you need parts there is no source for them, since repair shops won't sell any parts.<br>

One thing you can't do yourself without specialized equipment and knowledge is to check/adjust the shutter speeds, which to me is one of the most important parts of a CLA.</p>

[bennett_callow]

<p>A very good single source for guiding you through the repair, as well as extensive tips on sources for parts and required tools, is <em>Leica Camera Repair Handbook </em>by Thomas Tomosy. Good luck!</p>

[m m]

<p>ditto lubricants being specific ...and I'd consider leaving mirrored optics alone entirely. Have fun, just don't do anything that can't be undone. <br>

ps, most screw mount Leica's that <em>need</em> servicing have very little $$ value, so start with one of those. Does you IIIa <em>need </em>to be serviced? <br>

Or heck, just tear in and have fun!</p>

[Gus Lazzari]

<p >Todd, </p>

<p >1. You'll need a <strong>Dremel tool</strong> to clean up the tips of the tools you acquire. The correct size & clean edges just aren't there any more on average priced <strong>small screwdrivers</strong> &<strong> needle nose pliers</strong>.</p>

<p >2. <strong>Ring/bezel clamps</strong> that you can obtain through fleabay.</p>

<p >3. Precision <strong>tweezers, Q-tips, Kimwipes, canned Air</strong> and a<strong> microfiber cloth.</strong></p>

<p >4. Three<strong> Lubricants;</strong> a light thin oil (Nysoil), heavier synthetic oil (5w-20w Mobil One or equv) & moly grease.</p>

<p >5. <strong>Solvents</strong>, lacquer thinner for mechanism, ROR lens cleaner for glass/mirror surfaces & Windex for external body parts.</p>

<p >6. This is the tough one... a <strong>3 sensor shutter speed</strong> checker so you can put both curtain barrel springs to a perfect 18ms each. (Without this you're just guessing. Many see the issues when they use the 1000th thru 250th)</p>

<p >Rick D. is correct; the shutter speeds recalibration is the real art. When the Leica IIIa was built, the methods of achieving these critical specs were lengthy. IMHO, done right, these new testers allow for more accurate shutter speeds then back when the Leica was originally made... </p>