Maintaining or repairing Minox 8×11 cameras requires surprisingly few tools. Of course you don’t need a lot of space either. However, I recommend that you only use the best tools and consumables and not make any compromises. Minox placed great emphasis on the highest quality during production and it would be a shame damaging the screws when loosening them.
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Tools
Only use first-class tools, especially screwdrivers. Since only slotted screws are installed in the Minox, it is easy to slip and damage the screw heads or scratch their surroundings. Only high-quality cutting edges sit securely in the slot.
To transport the tiny screws to and from the installation site, the screwdrivers should be magnetized.
Screws:
• 90° screwdriver, homemade from scalpel
• Slotted screwdriver SL 1.5, e.g. Wiha precision bit 4 mm
• Slotted screwdriver SL 2.0, e.g. Wiha precision bit 4 mm
Clean:
• Foam sticks, pointed, lint-free
• Cotton swabs, pointed/blunt
• Interdental brushes
The tool on the far left for opening the Minox is a screwdriver made from a scalpel. The application is explained in the chapter about opening the case. The cleaning swab with the cone-shaped tip has a lint-free foam cover. On the far right you can see a standard interdental brush clamped into a tool block.
Gripping:
• Sewing needle with self-made handle
• Cross tweezers
• Eagle beak tweezers
• Precision tweezers, lockable
The eagle beak tweezers (photo) have proven to be the best for gripping. In some cases, the self-holding cross-tweezers (photo) are also advantageous. Tweezers should definitely be demagnetized, otherwise the small parts will not come off the tweezers when opened.
On the far left we see a sewing needle with a homemade handle consisting of a screw, nut and washer.
Lubricate:
• Teeth cleaning brushes
• Needle oiler
• Short brushes with synthetic bristles, e.g. Da Vinci
An assortment box that fits the Minox size and can be securely locked has proven useful for storing the dismantled individual parts. However, the screws should not be stored loosely, but rather in small (3 ml) plastic containers separated according to the installation location.
Since we want to repair subminiature cameras, we definitely need a magnified and clear view of what we are doing. That’s why I use a headband magnifier with LED light for all work. For me, 3x magnification has proven to be optimal.
Consumables
Cleaning, degreasing and de-resining:
• Lighter fluid or acetone to clean the internal parts and to remove resin from the escapement. Apply with cotton swabs, foam swabs or interdental brushes.
• Isopropanol for cleaning glass surfaces
• Acetone for degreasing the shutter blades
Lubricate:
• Dr. Tillwich Precision Lubricant Grade 3-5 for escapement and anchor. Apply small amounts with a special needle oiler.
• NYOIL oil for the bearing points of the gears and levers. Apply small amounts with a special needle oiler.
• GunCer gun grease (Ballistol) for slow-running sliding pairs with emergency running properties, e.g. lever and housing parts. Because of its very good adhesion, even at high temperatures, it is also suitable for use near lenses and shutters, as the risk of migration into grease-free zones is low.
Apply with brush.
Spare Parts
Since the Minox company no longer offers spare parts for the Minox 8×11 cameras, the only option left is to exploit other Minox cameras.
Since the Minox models A and B are nearly identical except for the exposure meter and the associated film chamber housing, Minox B cameras can also be used as spare parts donors. Since the Model B was built in larger numbers, this is a cheaper alternative than the rarer and older A models. In addition, the B models are often sold as defective due to a defective light meter but with working shutter blades. If you are looking for a replacement for the often defective shutter blades, you should make sure that they are still in working order before purchasing.
The lens of the Minox A is triple protected behind the housing front, glass cover and shutter blades, so that damage to the front lens is very unlikely. Lenses will therefore hardly be needed as replacements.