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In Reply to: Pentax Spotmatic battery cover posted by peg on November 20, 2002 at 11:20:06:
I have an old Asahi Pentax Spotmatic camera that was given to me. I have a battery for it, but for the life of me, I CANNOT get the battery cover open. I have tried everything. Various coins, a special tool made specifically for this purpose, even a little bit of WD40 to try and loosen it up a bit. All to no avail. And worse yet, the cover has gotten a little bit stripped and doesn't hold coins, etc. as well. I'm at my wit's end. Anyone have any tips or tricks to get the little bugger open? -- Peg
Posted by mikeb on November 20, 2002 at 12:26:36:
Drill two small holes in the battery cover inside the slot about 1/8th inch in from the edges. This will allow you to insert a pair of needle nose pliers into them and hopefully shake the bugger loose! -- Regards Mikeb ibuycameras.com
Posted by Peter on December 02, 2002 at 09:58:33:
Strangely, I have had exactly the same problem with a Pentax Spotmatic (c 1969) of my own. I even removed the base plate but that was of no help as the battery compartment is totally sealed. Furthermore I got the same reply, albeit from a different source, but I am loathe to start drilling into what may become a valuable (but to me maybe just very useful) piece of equipment). If you find a solution, please let me know. Let me know your email address and I will do the same. By the way, the battery cover of my Pentax ALREADY has two tiny holes in line with the now useless coin grip. I have tried various items and know of nothing that fits those holes and maintains adequate force to turn the battery cover. I have tried WD40, Plus-Gas dismantling lubricant, 3-in-1 oil, detergent, alcohol (not my best malt whisky!), and don't know of anything else to try. My wife used an oven cleaning agent at the weekend (mainly KOH, on the oven,but that seems a bit fierce for the camera. Hope to hear some useful advice -- Peter Bailey
Posted by Ron Boe on January 03, 2003 at 13:04:07:
Has anybody tried a product called Liquid Wrench? Most useful when untorquing RUSTED nuts and bolts. I am assuming it's just an oxide of some sort that has welded your battery cap shut.
Desperate measures may include freezing the cap with a spray (like what a doctor may use to freeze off a mole). But you want to cool just the cap. Alternating between heat and cold may help too. Good Luck -- Ron
Posted by Phil Cahill on February 18, 2003 at 17:52:15:
I too had that problem. If you have time you might try the solution I found. I put a drop of Liquid Wrench on the cover, used a pin punch to tap the coin slot counter-clockwise a couple of times, and put it away. I did that nightly for a week and a half and then suddenly the cap came open. The threads of the battery cap are so finely machined that only great patience will win out. Of course once I got it open I still didn't have a replacement battery but that's one for a different thread.
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