Linhof Super Technika IV repair - the groove which locks onto the track

[dorcas_mallorcus]

I've searched high and low for a name for this horrible fragile weak breakable plastic component of the Technika camera, and nowhere is it named.

I refer to the part which fastens the lens standard, to each of the two tracks of the base board (either side). This then allows the standard to travel back and forth along the tracks.

In cross section, it resembles a <

I have a Super Technika IV for which this part is fractured on one side, leaving only a small part remaining, which of course may eventually break under the shearing forces that will concentrate on it on that side of the tracks.

It would be so easy to 3D print it, but l don't even know what to call it, and l don't think l've seen it on sale on any site.
[Moreover, the few 3D printing sites l've seen require that l absolutely must fill my browser cache with so many cooookieeeeees. I get the feeling there's not really any real 3D parts to buy, it's just about cookies.]

Please see photos for the part l'm after. As you may note, even if l had the part, l would need to align it well, and glue it well, to the standard, otherwise the tracks would shear it clean off during its travels.

[dorcas_mallorcus]

Update: I would settle for a 3D printed replacement of the entire horizontally oriented underside to the front standard, i.e. the entire platform which interfaces with the tracks. That screws into the front standard (although l've a feeling it's not quite so simple a few turns of a few screws), which would be far easier than supergluing a small fragment of the part that directly interlocks with the track, because gosh, that is so hard to get right. The glue has to be strong, and the fragment has to be perfectly aligned. The glue being strong, makes the slightest misalignment unforgivable and that's also when you start getting minute fragments of strong glue on the tracks too.

Sadly 3D printed parts websites as l say, are plastered in unnavigable cookie "choice" (= no choice) screens, and they don't even appear to have what l want from what l could make out. Please, if you have a 3D printer, make me one of those parts .... ?

[Embdude]

the part is called a Standartenschlitten. This translates in English to - Standard Sled.
The part is made of aluminum and painted black.

I don't have parts diagrams for the IV but it is nearly the same as the 70

[Embdude]

I can't tell for certain in your photo but it appears the "Klemmschlitten" (Clamping slide) is also damaged. It is supposed to grip the rail from the middle along with the Sled on either end.

I will grab a photo of mine and we can compare them.

If you can, post a photo of the bottom of yours.

[Embdude]

Here is the base of my 23 T4. you can see the clamping rail at the top between the 2 sled rails...

[dorcas_mallorcus]

@Embdude many thanks.

Here are more photos of the underside:

[dorcas_mallorcus]

I see a slight difference between what l have, and what you have, but l don't know how the round metal circle that you have, would grip anything on the Linhof Super Techika IV's base board.

[Embdude]

From these photos I can see your clamping rail is fine and the damage is limited to the forward sled rail. The circle part is just the bottom of the tilt screw and yours is just articulated different than mine, if we put them in the same position they would appear the same.

I agree that glue will probably not work to hold a replacement part. Also recreating the entire sled would take far more time effort and expense than finding a replacement part.

In my opinion your best way forward is to locate a replacement part. Though this is complicated by the lack of a marketplace for such parts. Nobody that has a stock of parts will likely sell you 1950's Linhof parts, the Linhof repair specialists are not charities and understandably they horde parts for expensive repair services only. You will have to be patient and find a donor camera or random parts on eBay. As your camera is still mostly functional in the short term you have a little time to be patient and stalk eBay. Also asking for parts here and at other Linhof related forums sometimes works out well. Also it is worth calling up the repair shops such as LaFlex and asking them to sell you the part, you never know, maybe you can sweet talk them into making an exception to the part sales policy.

If you go with the DIY repair route I would suggest something like what is done for dental implants. clean up the existing surface and put a screw in it that protrudes and the new part can be attached to. Then you can 3d print or otherwise fabricate the bit you need. I have no knowledge of 3d printing and the pros and cons of using this method. If I was making the repair I would get a small cube of aluminum and file it to fit.

Good Luck! Hopefully you will share your repair experience here with us.

[sharktooth]

I have a similar issue on my 4x5 Super Technika IV. The front guide piece is broken off too, but it still works O.K. since the moving clamp piece is long enough to provide enough support.

I've taken one of your sample pictures and added my own notes on how this works.



I'll call the clamping portion the "slider" since it moves outwards slightly as you squeeze the two black knobs at the front of the standard. This slider is a long flat bar of steel or aluminum, that has a V channel at one end that clamps to the rail. There must be a cam under on of the pinch knob screws that pushes the slider outwards when you squeeze the two knobs together. If you look closely at the clamping end of the slider, you'll see that it moves outwards slightly as you pinch the two black knobs together. It doesn't move much, but it's enough to release the clamp load so that you can move the standard on the rail.

My guess is that that front piece of the guide channel is easily broken since it sits on the edge of the bed rail when you pull the front standard out to mate with the bed rail. It's easy to bend the front standard forward as you're trying to line everything up, and this short guide channel is easily broken. That's almost certainly why they rocommend moving the bed rail back to meet the main body, before pulling the front standard onto the bed rail. That's some extras steps for setup, so it often doesn't get done, but at the risk of damage if you don't handle the step carefully.

Bottom line, I wouldn't worry about it, since it probably isn't a major functional issue.

[dorcas_mallorcus]

Brilliant insights, many thanks. I hope those parts hoarders will get some some competition from 3D printers!
Unless the 3D printers are broken and need parts ...

What l did was a quick fix with glue. I think l could perfect the finish with a thin metal file or sandpaper. As it is already, it does work, but there's the risk of hurting the knuckles when forcing the standard backward and forward.