Finally breaking down and getting a replacement bellows for the Deardorff

bmac

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I have ruined my last negative due to my leaky bellows!

Does anyone have any tips about removing the old one and installing a new one? I have to admit it is kind of scary takign a razor blade to my pride and joy (the camera, not my kids ).

I am ordering a replacement from Western Bellows in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Brian
 

Donald Miller

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Brian,

A Deardorff bellows has a wooden frame at both the front and rear standard. The front frame is removed by 4 screws that are accessible from the rear of the bellows. The rear is removable by screws either on the interior of the rear standard or through the outside of the rear standard frame (Deardorff did them both ways).

When I redid a couple of mine, I sent the complete old bellows to Western Bellows and they built a new bellows using my old bellows wood framework.

Good luck
 
OP
OP

bmac

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Got Bellows?

The Project Begins! Mine had 12 Screws around the rear standard, and 8 on the inside of the front standard.

Dead Link Removed


I think I'll fix the finish while I have it apart.
 

Donald Miller

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Brian,
I disassembled and stripped the finish down on mine. I did one with sprayed lacquer and another with brushed Polyurethane. The Polyurethane is a much tougher finish. Sanded between coats with 400 grit. The disassembly is pretty straightforward.
 
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bmac

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Would you suggest I strip the old finish off chemically, or just do a light sand then recoat? I will most likely spray instead of brush since it will be easier to get even coats that way.
 

Loose Gravel

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Before ordering your new bellows, get a sample of the bellows material or a little piece of bellows. I ordered a bellows year ago for a camera I built and it was so stiff in cold weather that it was hard to focus. I didn't like it at all.
 

Donald Miller

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bmac said:
Would you suggest I strip the old finish off chemically, or just do a light sand then recoat? I will most likely spray instead of brush since it will be easier to get even coats that way.
Click to expand...


Brian, I have always chemically stripped mine. I have sprayed lacquer and I have brushed polyurethane (sanding between coats) both came out very smooth. Polyurethane is a much tougher finish.
 

mikepry

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Then we should expect to see some some new images fairly soon, eh?
 

Gary892

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Brian, what was the cost of the new bellows and what color did you get?
 
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bmac

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It was $290 including tax, Shipping, and mounting the new bellows to my frames. It is black. I was going to go for safety orange so I wouldn't get shot by hunters in the woods, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it
 
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