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A tiny spring in a Canon AE-1 shutter just vanished on me
I was cleaning the mirror box on a customer's AE-1 last Tuesday when a tiny tension spring for the shutter curtain just popped out and disappeared. I heard it hit the floor, but after searching my whole bench for 20 minutes, I never found it. Had to order a replacement pack of five from a parts supplier, which cost about $12 and took three days to arrive. The whole job was delayed because of one piece smaller than a grain of rice. What's your go-to method for keeping track of those microscopic parts when they decide to fly?
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clark.robin1mo ago
Ugh, that's the worst feeling. I've spent way too much time on my hands and knees with a flashlight looking for a spring that bounced into another dimension. My only trick is to lay down a big white towel over my whole work area before I even start.
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oscarw831mo ago
Magnet in a bag trick is solid, but for springs specifically get a telescoping magnetic pickup tool. Theyre like 8 bucks at any hardware store and you wont be crawling around on the floor. Also keep a bright headlamp around your neck, not a flashlight. Both hands free to move shit around while you scan the floor. For the really tiny springs that go flying, try working inside a cardboard box with the sides cut down. Contains the bounce and keeps everything in one spot.
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