Volute Shutter cleaning

[coisasdavida]

I have a question for you guys:

I got this Volute shutter recently here in the forum, it has a Protar on it.
It wouldn't even cock when it arrived, but after disassembly (per: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/inter-lenses_shutters/inter-lens_shutters.htm ) I does cock and fires, but it all too sticky.

Both pistons got cleaned with cotton swabs, they were quite good actually.
I see some dirty on the part that actuates the blades and on some axles.

Lighter fluid ok?

[premortho]

I don't have a Volute shutter, and I don't know what the shutter blades are made of. If paper or rubber (vulcanite) DON'T use this procedure. I use carb cleaner. After getting it clean, I use a round toothpick just touched in wathmakers oil, and put just a whisp of oil on the pivots. Put it together and test it. Too slow? Do it all again.

[premortho]

Re-reading the description of the Volute shutter, I see it has vulcanite blades. Don't go near those blades with ether or carb cleaner. If it was mine, I'd take it down to where you can see all the levers and pivots. then, using a toothpick put a drop of lighter fluid on each pivot, doing one at a time. You may have to do this several times to get it clean. Be very careful as these blades are very delecate. Do not take the shutter any furthur apart as you'll pull your hair out trying to get it in time again...so easy does it. A warning. When you go to use this shutter, be advised that the blades are really not lighttight. They were light tight 100 years ago, with ortho film and asa 10 speeds. Panchro film will "see" through the reddish-brown color of the shutter leaves. So, keep lens covered until last few seconds before exposure, and cover immediatly afterward.

[coisasdavida]

"round toothpick just touched in wathmakers oil" did that.

reassembled and it runs good enough. between 150 and 25 it runs perfect. between 5 and 1 it sticks open at the end with a tiny pinhole. needs exercise.

probably greasy blades but I'm not going that far since I don't have any hair left to pull out.

thanks a lot!

[IanG]

This link has the PDF's and images. (http://www.butkus.org/chinon/inter-lenses_shutters/inter-lenses_shutters.htm)

Very useful as it helps with my Velosto which is similar to the Optimo.

Ian

[coisasdavida]

Ian, thanks. I had that downloaded before.
But the thing is it helps opening the shutter, but then you have to know what you can do.

More info in the shutter:
With the tip of a sharp screwdriver I touched one of the blades and got a shiny scratch.
I believe the blades are aluminum on my shutter.
But I could never be sure.

[Fotoguy20d]

Watchmaker's oil - can someone recommend something?

Would this work? (http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Precision-Lubricating-14-9ml-Bottle/dp/B0013R67A6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361817095&sr=8-1&keywords=watch+oil)

thanks,
dan

[coisasdavida]

I guess. Mine is by Prolong and looks similar.

[E. von Hoegh]

Watchmaker's oil - can someone recommend something?

Would this work? (http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-Precision-Lubricating-14-9ml-Bottle/dp/B0013R67A6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361817095&sr=8-1&keywords=watch+oil)

thanks,
dan

No, that is most certainly not "watchmaker's oil". Neither is Prolong.

This is: http://www.nationaljewelerssupplies.com/p/WA-032.html

While you're at it, buy an oiler from the same source. That oil is far too expensive to contaminate by dipping s toothpick in it. That little bottle is enough for a couple hundred (or more) shutters

[Fotoguy20d]

E,

Thanks. I saw the möbius oil on amazon also (but not from a "prime" seller so I'll use your source).

dan

[E. von Hoegh]

E,

Thanks. I saw the möbius oil on amazon also (but not from a "prime" seller so I'll use your source).

dan

It's important to use an oil which doesn't creep away from the pivots. The Hoppe's oil will creep. A very light molybdenum grease is good for points where (for example) a spring end bears and rubs on some other part.
Lubricants have improved drastically since these old shutters were made, I have two old Compounds from before the War To End All War, (WWI) specifically 1908 and 1913 - after overhaul they are as accurate as new modern shutters.

Edit - I have no connection (beyond being a happy customer) with the supply house I posted the link to.

[carbo73]

I've recently bought an utterly sluggish Volute, and the blades look very metallic, to me. And probably with oil in it. Disassembled the shutter and cleaned the piston, but to no avail. And even on one part of the blades there's a tiny space leaving a light leak.