Wollensak Velostigmat II 12" 4x5 Soft Focus lens cleaning

[art_major]

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I have a Wollensak Velostigmat II 12" 4x5 Soft Focus lens lens that needs cleaning on the inside of the front elements. does anyone know how the elements unscrew? theres no indentations for a spanner wrench or anything. for the life of my I can't get it to budge. any tips or tricks you guys can share? thank you!</p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>The front cell should unscrew from the shutter or barrel. Lens tend to get slightly fused after many years. Once the front cell comes off then the rear element of the front pair may unscrew from the barrel. I use a pair or rubber strap wrenches to grip lens barrels with when they are stuck. Rubber jar opening aids are reported to work well also.</p>

[john_shriver]

<p>A few drops of lighter fluid (naptha) might dissolve the dirt in the threads, and/or lubricate them.<br>

To get the inner element out on a Kodak Vigilant Six-20 (in Flash Supermatic shutter), I had to cut slots for a spanner. It was soooo frozen.</p>

[john_kasaian4]

<p>Strap wrench. You'll want the little one. Harbor Freight has them cheap. Some times you can find them on the 99-cent table at an Ace Hardware store. get the 2-pack.<br>

E-Z-Ox is good for unfreezing threads. You can find that at gun shops.</p>