New adventure: KX restoration?

**ismaelg** · 11-26-2019, 04:56 PM - **3 Likes**

Hello,

Yes, another adventure from one of those eBay gambles. A non working paperweight KX for $25 including shipping. Not exactly the deal of a lifetime, but what can go wrong? If I can't fix it I can always send to Eric to fix or cleanup and simply display.
The description simply said non-working. But the pictures show a really tired and possibly abused girl. I had to rescue her!

Mirror was stuck in the up position. Camera was frozen stuck. Could not advance, fire, nothing.

Looks complete but it seems it hasn't been cleaned in like... forever
(mirror is already down, but more on that later)

Yikes!

Lawson was here. Ouch! One of the dirtiest viewfinders I've ever seen!

At least the inside looks decent

Stay tuned! I have no idea where this train wreck is going....

Thanks,

Aaron28 · 11-26-2019, 05:21 PM

sweet! good luck!

**ismaelg** · 11-26-2019, 05:37 PM - **1 Like**

Hello,

So here we go...

Removed the bottom plate to find a set of corroded batteries. Fortunately the corrosion hit the battery holder, not the contact. Still trying to get it unstuck. Some WD-40 was not enough. Keep trying.

The reason why it is stuck is the mirror catch lever is frozen.

Cleaned it a bit and forced it back and forth. After a while I put a drop of light machine oil and kept exercising it. After about an hour it started to react. That was promising. Left it overnight and it is now working! I'm pretty sure it will get stuck again every once in a while but at least it is firing now and all speeds sound ok.

Thanks,

Thanks,

calsan · 11-26-2019, 09:34 PM - **1 Like**

..makes mental note to never lend equipment to anyone named Lawson...

Eyewanders · 11-26-2019, 09:44 PM

Good lord. If you do send that on to Eric and he charges his normal CLA for that era, it'll be the deal of a they century. I can smell the musty from here.

Not a Number · 11-26-2019, 09:53 PM

WD-40 isn't a penetrating oil Try something like PB B'laster and leave it overnight or longer.

titrisol · 11-27-2019, 06:13 AM - **1 Like**

ismael, the KX is a tank, and despite all the abuse it will work

For the battery a drop of vinegar will help dissolving the corrosion
after you appl vinegar a few times them the penetrating oil will work fine
This one uses a SR44/357 battery

Last edited by titrisol; 11-27-2019 at 06:26 AM.

**pentaxus** · 11-27-2019, 08:11 AM - **1 Like**

Another vote for PB Blaster after the vinegar or better yet CLR (calcium, lime and rust remover), a much stronger acid compound. If you already put the oil on, the vinegar etc. won't get in. The little triangle you see in that one picture is the beginning of prism desilvering which can't be repaired.

**ismaelg** · 11-29-2019, 09:46 PM - **1 Like**

Update:
Exercised it at all speeds and everything seems to be working fine. Only once, at 1s shutter speed (lowest speed before Bulb) it did not complete the cycle. By moving the shutter speed dial it completed. But ever since it's been ok.
Here is a quick and dirty video. Pardon the crickets, it was recorded at midnight

Youtu.be

Unfortunately I'm heading for a work trip out of the country so I won't be able to play with it in a few weeks.
Still fighting the battery holder, to eventually test if the meter works.

Thanks,

Eyewanders · 11-30-2019, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Update:
Exercised it at all speeds and everything seems to be working fine.

everything is proceeding according to plan....

**ismaelg** · 12-01-2019, 09:19 AM

WOHOO!!

The battery holder put up a phenomenal fight! It defeated every single product and technique I threw at it. I was already considering "destructive techniques". Got a can of PB Blaster as suggested. I used probably half a can over a day. Did not budge until last night at around 9PM it broke free!!!!!
And here is the best part: The holder was very corroded. I was able to remove the plastic guides and since it was shot anyways, I went to town with the Dremel and a wire wheel. Tested for continuity and it was promising. Mounted back to the base plate and tested again for continuity. Pass. Assembled it back, put two batteries and.....
THE METER WORKS!
Not sure how accurate but that test will have to wait at least a week as I'm heading out of town.
I will eventually work on the cosmetic part of it.

I'M HAPPY!

Thanks,

Lhorn · 12-01-2019, 03:35 PM

Wow, that's testimony to how durable these things are. "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking"
Good work.

---------- Post added 12-01-19 at 04:35 PM ----------

Wow, that's testimony to how durable these things are. "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking"
Good work.

e_nogueras · 12-17-2019, 02:14 AM

Patience is indeed your virtue my friend.

nickthetasmaniac · 12-17-2019, 03:23 AM

Holy moly, as they say!

Very impressive salvage effort

**ismaelg** · 12-17-2019, 08:12 AM

Thanks guys! Unfortunately I have been out of the country on business travel so no progress in about 2 weeks. Can't wait to get on it again!

Thanks,

11-26-2019, 04:56 PM - 3 Likes	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	New adventure: KX restoration? Hello, Yes, another adventure from one of those eBay gambles. A non working paperweight KX for $25 including shipping. Not exactly the deal of a lifetime, but what can go wrong? If I can't fix it I can always send to Eric to fix or cleanup and simply display. The description simply said non-working. But the pictures show a really tired and possibly abused girl. I had to rescue her! Mirror was stuck in the up position. Camera was frozen stuck. Could not advance, fire, nothing. Looks complete but it seems it hasn't been cleaned in like... forever (mirror is already down, but more on that later) Yikes! Lawson was here. Ouch! One of the dirtiest viewfinders I've ever seen! At least the inside looks decent Stay tuned! I have no idea where this train wreck is going.... Thanks,

11-30-2019, 11:07 AM	#10
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by ismaelg Update: Exercised it at all speeds and everything seems to be working fine. everything is proceeding according to plan.... Attached Images

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11-26-2019, 05:21 PM	#2
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	sweet! good luck!

11-26-2019, 05:37 PM - 1 Like	#3
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, So here we go... Removed the bottom plate to find a set of corroded batteries. Fortunately the corrosion hit the battery holder, not the contact. Still trying to get it unstuck. Some WD-40 was not enough. Keep trying. The reason why it is stuck is the mirror catch lever is frozen. Cleaned it a bit and forced it back and forth. After a while I put a drop of light machine oil and kept exercising it. After about an hour it started to react. That was promising. Left it overnight and it is now working! I'm pretty sure it will get stuck again every once in a while but at least it is firing now and all speeds sound ok. Thanks, Thanks,

11-26-2019, 09:34 PM - 1 Like	#4
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	..makes mental note to never lend equipment to anyone named Lawson...

11-26-2019, 09:44 PM	#5
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Good lord. If you do send that on to Eric and he charges his normal CLA for that era, it'll be the deal of a they century. I can smell the musty from here.

11-26-2019, 09:53 PM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	WD-40 isn't a penetrating oil Try something like PB B'laster and leave it overnight or longer.

11-27-2019, 06:13 AM - 1 Like	#7
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,851	ismael, the KX is a tank, and despite all the abuse it will work For the battery a drop of vinegar will help dissolving the corrosion after you appl vinegar a few times them the penetrating oil will work fine This one uses a SR44/357 battery Last edited by titrisol; 11-27-2019 at 06:26 AM.

11-27-2019, 08:11 AM - 1 Like	#8
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,312	Another vote for PB Blaster after the vinegar or better yet CLR (calcium, lime and rust remover), a much stronger acid compound. If you already put the oil on, the vinegar etc. won't get in. The little triangle you see in that one picture is the beginning of prism desilvering which can't be repaired.

12-01-2019, 09:19 AM	#11
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	WOHOO!! The battery holder put up a phenomenal fight! It defeated every single product and technique I threw at it. I was already considering "destructive techniques". Got a can of PB Blaster as suggested. I used probably half a can over a day. Did not budge until last night at around 9PM it broke free!!!!! And here is the best part: The holder was very corroded. I was able to remove the plastic guides and since it was shot anyways, I went to town with the Dremel and a wire wheel. Tested for continuity and it was promising. Mounted back to the base plate and tested again for continuity. Pass. Assembled it back, put two batteries and..... THE METER WORKS! Not sure how accurate but that test will have to wait at least a week as I'm heading out of town. I will eventually work on the cosmetic part of it. I'M HAPPY! Thanks,

12-01-2019, 03:35 PM	#12
Lhorn Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 554	Wow, that's testimony to how durable these things are. "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking" Good work. ---------- Post added 12-01-19 at 04:35 PM ---------- Wow, that's testimony to how durable these things are. "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking" Good work.

12-17-2019, 02:14 AM	#13
e_nogueras Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Barceloneta Photos: Gallery Posts: 325	Patience is indeed your virtue my friend.

12-17-2019, 03:23 AM	#14
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Holy moly, as they say! Very impressive salvage effort

12-17-2019, 08:12 AM	#15
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Thanks guys! Unfortunately I have been out of the country on business travel so no progress in about 2 weeks. Can't wait to get on it again! Thanks,

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