Honeywell Franken-Pentax-Stein H3

**ismaelg** · 09-04-2021, 04:22 PM - **9 Likes**

Hello,

I got 3 parts cameras basically for the price of shipping. They are(were) all Honeywell H3. I'll see if I can to make a working Frankenstein out of them. One of them looks almost complete but is jammed solid. No rush so this will be a slow project.

Thanks,
Ismael

**UncleVanya** · 09-04-2021, 05:07 PM - **1 Like**

Good luck!

**ramseybuckeye** · 09-04-2021, 05:54 PM - **1 Like**

And have fun, I really enjoy watching your restoration projects. I wish I had your patience and skill at this.

**microlight** · 09-05-2021, 12:06 AM - **1 Like**

Sounds like fun! Your biggest decision may be which top plate/serial number to use for the completed FrankenPentax.

**ismaelg** · 09-05-2021, 04:55 PM - **2 Likes**

Hello,

Clunker #1 is the most complete and the only one with rear cover latch. While not pristine, the top plate is probably the best of the bunch with only minor dings. But the shutter was jammed solid. I was able to make it cooperate and complete one cycle.
The insides of the top look decent.
BOING! That wind up spring is what makes the advance lever go back. It was acting up. I'll clean and lube it. I am sure it will be one smooth operating lever after that.

Clunker #2: missing lens mount plate, shutter button, back cover, latch and who knows what else. I disassembled the advance lever to compare. While still in good working order, it doesn't look as good as the other one. Minor surface rust and much dirtier. While still usable, the top plate cover is the worst of the 3 with a ding on top.

Haven't looked much at #3 but it is missing the door latch, shutter speed dial and it seems to have some corrosion. Not surprisingly, the shutter is jammed. The top plate may be a contender if it cleans up nicely.

At this point Clunker #1 is ahead.

Thanks,
Ismael

**microlight** · 09-06-2021, 12:12 AM - **2 Likes**

I wonder how long it will be before we see those famous words - ‘it’s aIi-i-ive!’ 😄

**ismaelg** · 09-08-2021, 08:53 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by microlight

I wonder how long it will be before we see those famous words - ‘it’s aIi-i-ive!’ 😄

No pressure!

Hello,

Some progress. Far from a working shutter yet, but the curtains are moving.
Top and bottom plates were cleaned and turned out better than expected.

Some pitting around the shutter button area.

Worked the little ding a bit from the inside but no big changes.

No drama whatsoever on the bottom plate.

Thanks,
Ismael

**ismaelg** · 09-09-2021, 10:18 AM - **2 Likes**

Hello again,

If the mirror is the heart of the SLRs, the mighty PENTAPRISM has to be the brain that makes it work!

The viewfinder was very dirty. Carefully took it out and cleaned both the prism and the focusing screen. They turned out gorgeous! What a difference! I can't get over the idea that this prism and the retaining springs have been there at least since Kennedy was shot. Let that sink for a moment.

In Dorothy's voice from Finding Nemo: "Just keep cleaning... just keep cleaning..."

Repainted the faded numbers in the shutter speed knob.
(Before)

(After)

So far I haven't used any part from the other 2 incomplete clunkers.

Thanks,
Ismael

**ismaelg** · 09-10-2021, 07:17 PM - **5 Likes**

Hello!

At the count of three repeat with me: 1, 2, 3..
IT'S ALIVE!

Ok, it turned out clunker #1 was complete and I was able to make it work. I insist there is a good amount of luck involved in this. Only swapped cosmetic parts with the others like the rewind knob bezel, bottom plate and some screws.
But just because it is alive, it doesn't mean it is in perfect working order. The curtains had no tension so I had to adjust that by eyeballing. They need to be precisely and exactly the same speed for the shutter to work above sync speed. That requires special test equipment I don't have. I got it "in the ballpark" but I'm sure 1/1000 will suffer from capping issues. I'll keep fooling around with it to get it the best I can. Also the seals still need to be worked.
But it cleaned up beautifully! Especially the gorgeous viewfinder! The frame counter is now working properly. Still need to dry test with a lens but no issues expected.
Both flash ports work.
Enough words. Here she is: (Video after the pics)

Rising from the ashes like a Phoenix!

Just love that clean viewfinder

READY TO SEE THE WORLD AGAIN!

The usual 1 minute quick test video

Youtu.be

If it could talk!
It is at least 58 years old at the moment of this post!

Thanks,
Ismael

**microlight** · 09-11-2021, 12:46 AM - **1 Like**

Brilliant job - congratulations!

**ismaelg** · 09-12-2021, 04:07 PM

Thank you Martyn! Glad you like it!

vladimiroltean · 09-12-2021, 04:07 PM

How did you clean the pentaprism and focusing screen exactly? They are very sensitive.

**ismaelg** · 09-12-2021, 04:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by vladimiroltean

How did you clean the pentaprism and focusing screen exactly? They are very sensitive.

Hello,

I used a dry and very soft brush. Applying very little pressure. Just let it barely touch the surface.

Thanks,
Ismael

vladimiroltean · 09-12-2021, 04:25 PM

Ok, so there wasn't anything like gummed up mirror bumper smeared on it. I wonder if there's anything that can be done about that sort of thing.

**ismaelg** · 09-14-2021, 11:05 AM

Hello,

Hmmm..... I was able to make clunker #2 and #3 fire their shutters. So I'll combine the best of both to see what would be missing to make a second working unit...
So far I'll need a latch or a complete back door.

Not in the pic but there are a gazillion little parts in a bin.

Thanks,
Ismael

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09-04-2021, 04:22 PM - 9 Likes	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Honeywell Franken-Pentax-Stein H3 Hello, I got 3 parts cameras basically for the price of shipping. They are(were) all Honeywell H3. I'll see if I can to make a working Frankenstein out of them. One of them looks almost complete but is jammed solid. No rush so this will be a slow project. Thanks, Ismael

09-04-2021, 05:07 PM - 1 Like	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Good luck!

09-04-2021, 05:54 PM - 1 Like	#3
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	And have fun, I really enjoy watching your restoration projects. I wish I had your patience and skill at this.

09-05-2021, 12:06 AM - 1 Like	#4
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Sounds like fun! Your biggest decision may be which top plate/serial number to use for the completed FrankenPentax.

09-05-2021, 04:55 PM - 2 Likes	#5
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, Clunker #1 is the most complete and the only one with rear cover latch. While not pristine, the top plate is probably the best of the bunch with only minor dings. But the shutter was jammed solid. I was able to make it cooperate and complete one cycle. The insides of the top look decent. BOING! That wind up spring is what makes the advance lever go back. It was acting up. I'll clean and lube it. I am sure it will be one smooth operating lever after that. Clunker #2: missing lens mount plate, shutter button, back cover, latch and who knows what else. I disassembled the advance lever to compare. While still in good working order, it doesn't look as good as the other one. Minor surface rust and much dirtier. While still usable, the top plate cover is the worst of the 3 with a ding on top. Haven't looked much at #3 but it is missing the door latch, shutter speed dial and it seems to have some corrosion. Not surprisingly, the shutter is jammed. The top plate may be a contender if it cleans up nicely. At this point Clunker #1 is ahead. Thanks, Ismael

09-06-2021, 12:12 AM - 2 Likes	#6
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	I wonder how long it will be before we see those famous words - ‘it’s aIi-i-ive!’ 😄

09-08-2021, 08:53 PM - 1 Like	#7
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Originally posted by microlight I wonder how long it will be before we see those famous words - ‘it’s aIi-i-ive!’ 😄 No pressure! Hello, Some progress. Far from a working shutter yet, but the curtains are moving. Top and bottom plates were cleaned and turned out better than expected. Some pitting around the shutter button area. Worked the little ding a bit from the inside but no big changes. No drama whatsoever on the bottom plate. Thanks, Ismael

09-09-2021, 10:18 AM - 2 Likes	#8
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello again, If the mirror is the heart of the SLRs, the mighty PENTAPRISM has to be the brain that makes it work! The viewfinder was very dirty. Carefully took it out and cleaned both the prism and the focusing screen. They turned out gorgeous! What a difference! I can't get over the idea that this prism and the retaining springs have been there at least since Kennedy was shot. Let that sink for a moment. In Dorothy's voice from Finding Nemo: "Just keep cleaning... just keep cleaning..." Repainted the faded numbers in the shutter speed knob. (Before) (After) So far I haven't used any part from the other 2 incomplete clunkers. Thanks, Ismael

09-11-2021, 12:46 AM - 1 Like	#10
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Brilliant job - congratulations!

09-12-2021, 04:07 PM	#11
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Thank you Martyn! Glad you like it!

09-12-2021, 04:07 PM	#12
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	How did you clean the pentaprism and focusing screen exactly? They are very sensitive.

09-12-2021, 04:20 PM - 1 Like	#13
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Originally posted by vladimiroltean How did you clean the pentaprism and focusing screen exactly? They are very sensitive. Hello, I used a dry and very soft brush. Applying very little pressure. Just let it barely touch the surface. Thanks, Ismael

09-12-2021, 04:25 PM	#14
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	Ok, so there wasn't anything like gummed up mirror bumper smeared on it. I wonder if there's anything that can be done about that sort of thing.

09-14-2021, 11:05 AM	#15
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, Hmmm..... I was able to make clunker #2 and #3 fire their shutters. So I'll combine the best of both to see what would be missing to make a second working unit... So far I'll need a latch or a complete back door. Not in the pic but there are a gazillion little parts in a bin. Thanks, Ismael