Finished Walnut and Rosewood 8x10

[Jim Fitzgerald]

51 days into the build I have it done. I built this in the hall way of my apartment. The pictures of the construction are in another thread but this is the finished product.. I'm happy with the movements, sturdiness and look of this my 4th camera build. Time to clean up and go shoot this baby!

 

[Bruce Osgood]

And quite a beauty it is, congratulations.

 

[Roger Thoms]

Jim, Looks very nice, of course this is no surprise. Yes get out and shoot, you can clean up later.

Roger

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Thanks guys. No I need to be able to walk through the hall way in the middle of the night and not have to turn sideways! Once I stop fussing with and admiring my handy work I'll get to cleaning up!

 

[Steve Smith]

Excellent!

I initially thought this was a non folding design but I can see I was wrong now. Would I be right to assume that it folds up Chamonix style? i.e. you detach the front standard from the focusing rack to collapse the bellows before folding.

this my 4th camera build.

I'm currently on my fourth design. Unfortunately, I haven't finished the second or third yet. I get to a point where I can see that I could have done something a better way and start making plans for the next one - sometimes starting another one!


Steve.

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Steve, yes it folds just like the Chamonix/Phillips design.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

It's a work of art you're quite a craftsman. Did you use hand tools?

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Mostly hand tools. My router was used but my small dovetail saw was a great help. My trusty dremel is always at work along with my cordless drill and bench top drill press. basis stuff nothing fancy.The finish is hand sanded with diamonds to 2,000 grit and then several coats of paste wax to protect the mirror finish.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Congratulations! Nice camera.

 

[akaa]

Nice looking camera Jim!

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Thanks guys. Can't wait to shoot some film.

 

[Toffle]

Beautiful, Jim! I'm looking forward to to reading through your construction thread.
Cheers,
Tom

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

If anyone has questions you can ask. I basically find a camera design I like and have at it.

 

[Steve Smith]

I basically find a camera design I like and have at it.

That's more or less what I do. I make one part then make the next part to fit. I don't usually draw any plans until it is finished.


Steve.

 

[PVia]

Bravo, Jim...would love to see it someday soon! You are awesome in so many ways...

 

[Curt]

I'm more like Steve, I start out with one design and then find a nicer solution and before you know it I'm redesigning it again. I see it as a design / build process that sometimes inverts into a build / design process. My project is an 11x14 with film holders. I know what you're thinking, did I cut once or twice. Well in all this confusion I lost count. But I feel lucky! Like Jim I have Rosewood for my project. One plank here and a half dozen due in today. I agree with Jim that stainless steel looks great on rosewood. The jewelry makes it pop like trim on windows. The bellow looks great, but the money shot is missing. The rear view, back, picture. Did it come in under or over weight for its class? It looks great Jim!

14 x 36 in (flat) next?

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Paul and Curt, thanks. When you build cameras you sometimes make some parts over again.... at least I have in the past and did so with this one. I came in overweight I feel. It is 10lbs. My Seneca Improved is 10.8! Wow! I'm underweight by 1/2 a pound1 Cool!

Now I do have a 16x20 bellows that I could do something with????

 

[Curt]

Carbon fiber and titanium! Light and right. Light tripod too.

The rosewood came as expected! I'm thinking guitar finish. French polish followed by dry shellac followed by buffing and polishing.

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Curt, French polish is what I did and it is like a mirror finish. I'll use more Rosewood on the next camera!

I guess it would be nice to learn how to work carbon fiber and titanium!!

 

[Curt]

The carbon and titanium is out of the question unless we get access to a commercial lab! But like you I make my space like a commercial lab. Mine is a cluttered shop and yours is a hallway. At least yours is clean!

Your finishes are silky smooth, the pressure is on me now. Roger, started on that 7x11 yet? Next thing you know it'll be Fall again! .

 

[Steve Smith]

I have used french polish on a guitar but I prefer teak oil or Danish oil finishes for cameras.


Steve.

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Steve, for me it is danish oil.