OMG, it’s broken…

Tilt!...

 

So, out for the day with the machine, and it’s broken. The rear screen is almost in two pieces.

This is nail biting stuff. The first aid kit is needed and I have to be careful. Important parts could go missing. Gingerly holding both pieces in line, and carefully twisting through 90°, I manage to get the rear screen turned inwards and closed. It is holding itself together with just one corner, as the other three seem to have ripped the screw threads. A few final pictures, without being able to view them on the turned in screen, and then it’s away, tucked up safely in the Stealth.

Once home, it’s out of the bag and being examined, by the closest thing I can find to a camera engineering specialist.

Yep.

Correct.

Me!

 

(Erk!!!)

Looks like one of the screws has snapped, which in turn has made 2 others tear their threads as I’ve flipped the screen. From just looking, I know the screws are unable to be used to repair it, as now, there will be nothing for the thread to grip. So, with first aid knowledge coming to the fore, I decide the route to go, is superglue.

First, the edges have to be cleaned up, and any remains of the shattered threads must be removed. Micro vacuum cleaner time, and the non-static fine fibre brush. This gets everything clean. Next step, in a sterile environment (the front room), I have to make sure all the facing edges are free of any dust or grease. Not so simple, as I have to prise the screen far enough apart, so as to get the fine brush in, but not too far apart so it snaps the 1 remaining screw. This is a life or death situation, but with steady hands, I manage and everything is pristine. The next step is to edge it with superglue, but not dribble any on the circuit board or electrical connections at the back of the screen. This is the time for a piece of specialist equipment, the toothpick. With a few drops of superglue in a bit of tinfoil, I dip the toothpick in and carefully spread it round the outer edge of the screen casing. Satisfied that I have enough on and have covered all the edge, I close the 2 halves together, then, with a trusty 3 inch bulldog clip, secure the join.

The machine is moved to the post op ward for recuperation, and I go for a well earned cup of tea.

Now jump forward about 4 hours, and the surgery needs to be checked. The bulldog is taken off. So far, so good, nothing drops off. I gently move the screen about and turn it up and down to see if anything moves that shouldn’t. Looking good so far. Next step, see if it will still fit in the cut out area. Yep, this works as well. But now, can I get it back out without the join giving way. Tentatively, I get my thumb nail under the edge and gently pull outwards…….

Phew, what a relief. So far, everything has gone promising.

But now, the moment of truth. Batteries are inserted and I nervously turn on the power. A couple of beeps and……

Bingo, the screen is alive.

The room explodes in cheers of joy as my trusty E3 is back from the brink. Everything working, and the surgery has been a resounding success. Disaster has been averted and for a 5½ year old machine with over 165,000 shots logged in its history, the machine now begins its Second Life.

It was touch and go for a time there, but it seems we’ve come out of the other side, almost fully intact and in complete working order.

Now, if I could just work out how to do the same for myself………

 

 

 

 

Till next time…

 

Mart.