Cleaning large format shutter?

I have a Poloroid 105mm Tominon copy lens in a Copal 0 shutter that I use as a macro lens on my 4X5. After not using this lens for a year, the slow shutter speeds aren't working at all.

It isn't worth the money to send it off for a proper CLA (I only paid $20 on ebay). Has anyone had experience with DIY solutions to sticky shutters?

I have read several suggestions on the web about soaking it it lighter fluid (think Zippo, not Kingford) or WD-40 to loosen up the lubrication inside.

Has anyone done their own kitchen table CLA? What did you use, and how did it work out?

If all else fails, I'll just buy another one on ebay. I really like this lens for macro shots and you can't beat the price.

Thanks,
David

Definitely search the Large Format Photography Forums, if you haven't already.

I've only got modern Copal shutters (at the moment), so don't think I'd soak them in lighter fluid. But I have sent a couple off to Carol at Flutot's Camera Repair for CLA. She is great to work with and her prices are certainly reasonable.

Good luck!

I decided to just try opening up the shutter last night. I expected parts to fly out all over the place, but I was pleasantly surprised that the whole operation went very smoothly. The shutter was a lot simpler than I had imagined, and all the little gears and springs are captured so that they can't just pop out and fall on the floor. I put a few drops of oil on the gear shafts in the shutter mechanism and now it is working fine. I can't say how accurate it is, but it sounds about right to my uncalibrated ear.

Nice!