BOLEX - Bolex H16 RX5 Disassembly Tutorial

Comprehensive workshop manual for complete disassembly, maintenance, and reassembly of the Bolex H16 RX5 16mm film camera. This professional service guide covers the full overhaul sequence of this precision instrument first introduced in 1967, walking technicians through viewfinder removal, front assembly separation with attention to shutter-to-pulldown synchronization, and systematic deconstruction of upper and lower mechanism plates. The manual details removal of all gears, spindles, and drive belts, then moves into thorough cleaning protocols using ultrasonic methods, proper lubrication practices, and tolerance verification procedures.

The reassembly section gives equal technical depth: reinstalling the complete mechanism within the camera body, measuring and adjusting claw torque and spring washer tension, verifying claw alignment using specialized gate jigs, and fine-tuning sprocket rotation for precise film loop formation. Crucial final verification methods receive extensive coverage—speed measurement via Bolex stroboscopic discs attached to the 8:1 driveshaft, precision strobe gun testing accurate to three decimal places, take-up torque confirmation, focal flange depth verification using an RX test lens and bench collimator setup, and scratch-free operation testing with fresh film stock under magnification. An essential troubleshooting and repair resource for professional camera service technicians and serious restorers working with this complex mechanical precision camera.