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Thread: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

  1. #1

    Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    I recently purchased a 4x5, it's a Calumet Wood Field, but for all intensive purposes, a Tachihara. The gears which drive the focusing rack in and out have become detached from the metal rod which holds the focusing knob. This makes it very difficult to focus, and is a huge pain in the ass. If anyone knows a way I could fix this, or a place to purchase spare 4x5 parts such as these, let me know. Or if anyone knows of a donor camera which I could salvage for this part I would greatly appreciate it!

    Thanks!

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    Should be two small metal pins that have come loose or fallen out holding the gears on the shaft.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    220

    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    A quick and ugly fix is to use small nails/brads. Make sure the head is large enough to not fall through the hole and then bend the pointed end of the nail to secure it in place. Check to make sure that the nail doesn't hang up on the gears.

    BTW, it is "all intents and purposes" not "intensive purposes"

  4. #4

    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    There are no pins, or even holes, anywhere on the gears or shaft. I was thinking that would be a fix, to drill small holes, if possible, but I would rather not drill into anything unless I had a readily available replacement.

  5. #5
    Tracy Storer's Avatar
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    Nov 2001
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    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    If they weren't pinned, the spur gears may have been silver-soldered or glued (something like Loctite I would think) onto the shaft. (I doubt such small gears would have been "keyed" to a slot in the shaft)
    Best thing if you're handy would be to get it apart and try to figure out how it went wrong, then get it back to "original" as best as possible. If you're not that handy...try to find good help.
    Tracy Storer
    Mammoth Camera Company tm
    www.mammothcamera.com

  6. #6

    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    I have the entire thing apart at the moment, I am quite handy. I am planning on using some type of extremely strong epoxy to keep the pieces together, unless people here have better ideas.

  7. #7
    Joel Edmondson
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Yatesville, Georgia
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    294

    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    I would recommend that you refrain from using epoxy for this particular fix. It will not "wick in" to the area where you need it and the resultant bond isn't very strong. It doesn't take a huge heat source to heat the metal sufficiently to allow soldering and the metal-to-metal bond is much better... just make sure that you have the teeth properly aligned with the other side!

  8. #8

    Join Date
    May 2006
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    So. Calif.
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    83

    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    I recently replaced a part on my Tachihara by writing them and showing them the part. I got the replacement part in 3 weeks. You might get a replacement part from them.

    The phone in Japan is 03-3911-1794.
    The address is:

    Tachihara Professional Camera Works, Ltd.
    3-17-89, Toshima, Kita-Ku
    Tokyo 114, Japan

    I went to their Japanese website (all in Japanese) and had it translated by a nice lady at the local church. The website says that if they have the part in stock, it will take about 3 weeks. Longer if they have to manufacture it.

  9. #9
    Resident Heretic Bruce Watson's Avatar
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    Sep 2003
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    USA, North Carolina
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    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    Quote Originally Posted by joncapozzi View Post
    I recently purchased a 4x5, it's a Calumet Wood Field, but for all intensive purposes, a Tachihara. The gears which drive the focusing rack in and out have become detached from the metal rod which holds the focusing knob. This makes it very difficult to focus, and is a huge pain in the ass. If anyone knows a way I could fix this, or a place to purchase spare 4x5 parts such as these, let me know. Or if anyone knows of a donor camera which I could salvage for this part I would greatly appreciate it!

    Thanks!
    Calumet has a service department. Also a parts department. Give'm a call.

    Bruce Watson

  10. #10

    Re: Tachihara 4x5 Focusing Rack

    It's all fixed. I had the shaft "dinged", which is when they tap the shaft to deform it, and then tap the gear into position. It worked very well

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