Graflex.org

[malix]

Hi, I am a novice in the LF world. I got in a super graphic and have taken 6x7 film on it during the last two field trips. I found the locking mechanism of the front standard does not work well on my super.

I can easily push or pull the standard even though it is set at locked position (the lever at one side instead of pointing straightforward). I checked the bottom of the standard and found one screw there. This screw seems to hold the spring piece (with the tongue) onto the bottom of the front standard, with a nut in between the standard and the spring piece (I don't know the exact terms so please forgive me if I am using wrong words here).

I tried to tighten the nut on the screw, which makes the switching lever very hard to turn to either side. I then put back the spring piece (with the tongue) through the screw, and push the front standard back on track. At first this seemed to have fixed the issue, as when I turn the lever aside, the front standard was locked hard, no move at all. Yet I later found that, after a few repetitive turning on the lever, everything seems to be loosened again. I am not sure whether there is something missing here. I can certainly live with tightening the front standard every time before the field trips. But it is not appealing approach to me.

I was wondering whether anyone on this board may be able to explain to me whether: 1) I have done the right thing to tighten the standard locking mechanism; 2) my super misses some important parts for the lever locking mechanism; 3) there is particular operation details that I am missing here. Your comments and advice are greatly appreciated in advance!

malix

[glennfromwy]

All parts should be under the lock nut, i.e. between the nut and the standard. To adjust the tension, you loosen the nut a little and move the screw in or out to get the tension you desire, then, while holding the screw so it can't move you snug up the nut. It will take a couple of tries to get it right. After it's set up and the nut is tightened, it shouldn't need further attention.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

[malix]

That works! Apparently I lack the power of imagination so that I could only follow whatever was established there. LOL The previous owner put the nut at the wrong place and I could only try to tighten it more in the hope to make it work that way. Thanks a lot, Glenn!!