How to remove the bellows from a Brand 4X5

[Paul Howell]

Yes a Brand 4X5, I want to paint the metal parts and I looking at the bellows I don't see any screws holding the bellows the front and rear standards. The parts are aluminium, the legend is that Brand and New View were made from the aluminum of scrapped WWII aircraft. If I get the bellows off what flat black paint, don't know if I want to spend the money to have it powdered coated so maybe auto paint?. There is a local company that will mix up auto paints in a spray can.

 

[Ian Grant]

Bellows are often glued to the metal frames front and back so might be difficult to remove without damaging them. They'll have used a type of impact glue/adhesive, they can sometimes be carefully and slowly prised off. Depending on what was actually used it can be possible to use a mild solvent, the adhesives were solvent based back then.

You may well be able to mask the bellows so you can spray the parts without removing them. I prefer not to remove bellows when restoring camears unless they can be unscrewed.

Rustoleum make some great spray paints I've found one ideal for black camera parts.

Ian

 

[shutterfinger]

Mostenbocker Lift Off http://liftoffinc.com/tape-remover/ works well on many adhesives. It is sold at Home Depot and some hardware stores. It will loosen the glue holding the bellows together so be careful when applying to bonded bellows to standards. It does not harm surfaces.

 

[Paul Howell]

Thanks, that is what I was afraid of, as the bellows is still light proof I think I will see about masking around it. I have used Rustlomune barbecue flat black to paint lens boards, so I will it a try, just don't how well it will adhere aluminium.

 

[jacaquarie]

Going on memory here, the bellows on the Brand 4X5 are glued to wooden boards that are then secured to the camera body with small wood screws. For the front standard you will find felt that acts as the light seal for the lens board. The screws are behind this felt. For the rear you have to first remove the rotating ground glass and you will find wood screws hold the frame for the rear of the bellows to the rear standard.
The screws are not obvious, you have to look and think.

Good luck
Aj

 

[Ian Grant]

Thanks, that is what I was afraid of, as the bellows is still light proof I think I will see about masking around it. I have used Rustlomune barbecue flat black to paint lens boards, so I will it a try, just don't how well it will adhere aluminium.

I'll dig out my Rustoleum paint tomorrow it's far better than Barbecue flat black and it'll be cheaper, it's a matt/flat black and excellent for lens boards and cameras.

Ian

 

[Kirks518]

Get the John Deere Blitz Black paint. It's an incredibly durable paint, and looks awesome.

 

[shutterfinger]

If you strip it down to bare metal you will have to use an aluminum primer first or the new paint will not stick. The existing paint is lead based.

 

[Paul Howell]

I'll dig out my Rustoleum paint tomorrow it's far better than Barbecue flat black and it'll be cheaper, it's a matt/flat black and excellent for lens boards and cameras.

Ian

The barbecue flat black I use is made by Rustoleum, it is geared for high heat but very flat. As I write this, well living in the desert with 9 months of temps temps over 90 degrees maybe white of just leave the aluminum bear. I will take a look to see if I can the screws, but considering the age of the camera might just leave it alone.

 

[jacaquarie]

My suggestion, leave alone and just use
Pulled out my Brand 4X5 to refresh the memory, I am not a writer but will give instructions.
Remove lens board. Just inside of lens board area are 8 screws around opening. One in each corner and one along each side. These screws go into a board, wooden in my case, so these are wood screws. Remove screws and front bellows will come free, may be stuck in place from old glue and such, if not just habit from years of being connected.
Fore the rear, remove ground glass. Loosen thumb screws that keep glass assembly in place and from rotating. Again look at corners wood screw in each corner. Wood screw in recessed area you can not see until ground glass assembly is removed. 8 screws.
By now bellows will be free to be removed. My suggestion if you want to paint and keep the look use "wrinkle paint". Popular with the automotive crowd. You will have to do the research.
back to my first suggestion, just use it. wait till you need to replace bellows and then make a restoration / modification project of it.
This is a beast of a camera and a better man than me would use this hand held. I wonder how but I understand it was done. I do not think a camera like this could even be built and sold today, The moulds for casting the body would cost a small fortune. Take care of it, will last the rest of your life.

Good luck
Aj

 

[jacaquarie]

Another reason to use and not disassemble,
You have the working camera body now, the very act of removing the bellows may damage the bellows which otherwise would have remained workable for quite some time.

either way good luck
Aj

 

[Paul Howell]

Thanks, I found the screws for the front standard, but considering the age of the wood and living at least half of it life in the dry desert air, I will leave it alone, painting is cosmetic.