Appreciation post: A tiny drop of lighter fluid freed a stuck shutter on a Pentax K1000

The blade was totally seized, but a single drop on the pivot point after taking the top plate off got it moving smooth again in minutes. Anyone have a better solvent they trust for old gummed-up leaf shutters?

3 comments

3 Comments

joseph_hart1mo ago

Nice, the old "flammable camera repair" technique. Just hope you didn't have a lit cigarette hanging out of your mouth while you did it. For real though, a drop of naptha or lighter fluid works wonders on old grease.

the_miles1mo ago

Yeah, the lit cigarette part got me. Been there with a can of contact cleaner and a bad idea. That sudden panic when you realize how dumb the whole setup is. Lighter fluid is definitely the smarter move, less chance of melting something or starting a small fire. Always have a window open now, no matter what.

derek_dixon7822d ago

Wait, a can of contact cleaner? Like the stuff that dries instantly and eats plastic? That's a whole different level of dumb luck right there. I can't believe you walked away from that without melting something important.