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Ground glass emergency

Absolute worst case go to a hardware store and get two sheets of glass cut for the Deardorff. Then go to their automotive section and get some valve grinding compound. When home, put a towel down and make a glass-compound-glass sandwich. Rub it all around in in a mostly circular motion and it'll make a "quick and dirty" ground glass.
 
A piece of glass and frosted "scotch" tape can make a useable temporary groundglass.
 
clear glass and "matte" spray paint - apply lightly and evenly
 
ragc said:
clear glass and "matte" spray paint - apply lightly and evenly
Click to expand...


Don't you mean "matte" spray lacquer, such as used on photo prints to give them a "matte" surface? Spray paint, afaik, would have a pigment in it, thus rendering the glass opaque.
 
Most glass shops sell either etched or sandblasted glass. Either will do in a pinch. When I needed one for my old Agfa, before I got the new one from Satin Snow, I just sandblasted a chunk of glass myself (I had a sandblast hopper). It was pretty coarse, but it did the job fine until the real thing arrived.

cheers
 
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You might try calling Midwest Photo (www.mpex.com) and seeing if they can FedEx one to you, since they're selling the new Deardorffs made by Jack Deardorff. If they have a (new or old) V8 on hand, which I suspect they would, they might even be able send you the groundglass while they order a new one for the camera they have in stock.

Lens and Repro is another possibility for that kind of arrangement (www.lensandrepro.com), since they always seem to have a few Deardorffs in stock.
 
Boy: When Need Arise around here [ Mother Invention to the rescue] all Ideas where great in my Book
 
Glad you were able to find a replacement on time. Had a similar experience when I was in San Fransisco. I was in front of a breathtaking scene when, much to my chagrin, I realized my DD ground glass had shattered inside the backpack. It was the first day of a 10-day trip and I had to improvise. Looked up the nearest Home Depot, got an 8x10 clear plexiglass, a utility knife to clip the corners to fit the DD back, and some fine grit sandpaper. It was still coarse but at least I was able to focus and compose on it. Came back the next day to the same spot, but the light wasn't the same. But at least I was able to bring back about 30 decent negs from the entire trip using the makeshift ground glass.
 
This is a good cautionary tale for someone about to head out west for three weeks -- bringing the 4x5 for the first time, I think I'll grab a spare GG to bring along...

Glad this all worked out!

JT
 
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