[Leica] Help repairing Leica I A

[vick.ko at sympatico.ca (Vick Ko)]

  *Hmmm, I've been down this path*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I restored a Leica Standard. And I've thought of doing the same for the 
1A type that you have. Here are my comments:

1. to make the engraving deeper, it needs to be engraved by a skilled 
engraver, like someone who has done this with jewelry, and manually 
engrave the lettering with a graver tool.

2. the original filling was not white paint, but I believe it was a 
white casting metal. I do not know how to apply that; but I think it is 
something that is done in jewelry. Under a magnifier, it looks like 
melted casting metal, like solder.

3. I don't recall seeing exploded views, but I did have some manuals 
that described the camera. It is very very basic, as you have now found. 
Be careful that some of the screws are tapped into very thin metal, and 
can easily strip.

4. the shutter tension adjustment also uses screws that are tapped into 
thin metal. You may need to adjust the shutter speed multiple times. Be 
careful of stripping the threads.

I think it is hard to get an original condition 1A, but in my 
estimation, the 1A is not worth anything if it is not original condition.

Best of luck

....Vick




Arturo Canalda wrote:
> Hi to all,
>
> Months ago I bougth a I A Leica. Good price but bad shape and conditions.
> The shutter was broken and the camera was completely "enameled". No
> engravings are visible as they are under the paint. On this Christmas I've
> decided to strip the hole camera to see its real health status.
>
> First, I took out the old paint wiht a chemical product. Bad news as I
> discovered that the previous owner sanded them with a dremel tool or
> similar. Good news. I found the complete serial number and the other
> engravings. They are not so deep but still alive. (see photos in the link
> below). I have use 0000 sand paper to reduce all the dremel marks and at
> this moment I think I'm in the right way.
>
> Second. As I suspected, the shutter was in a very bad condition. I'm 
> working
> in a new curtains and new straps.
>
> Well, that's the situation. Now I have a couple of questions.
>
> 1.- Is it possible to deep the engravings ?
>
> if not, 
>
> 2.- How can I paint both plates and also make visible those engravings ?
>
> 3.- Is there any exploded view of the Leica I ? I took several notes and
> drawings but an original repair manual or explode view in pdf will be
> helpfull.
>
> Thanks for your support and sorry about my bad english
>
> photos:  
>
> http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/74112-l
> eica-i-my-last-chance.html
>
> Regards and happy New Year
>
> Arturo
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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