Kodak 3A Autographic Special Model B - reaffix leatherette?

Hello -

I have a 3A Autographic Kodak Special Model B (Kodak anastigmat 6.3? lens). It's in pretty good shape except for the bellows, which has a few holes, and the leatherette (?) on the back has started to peel away. It's in one piece - what would you recommend to reaffix the loose leatherette?

I saw a (there was a url link here which no longer exists) from 2012, illustrating an adaptation for 120. I'd have to replace the bellows though, not sure when I could do that. It still has the stylus. Too bad the autographic film is gone.

Dana

I've glued leatherette with Titebond, with contact cement, with RTV. Just make sure it's acid free. For the bellows you can try painting over the holes with tulip matte acrylic fabric paint.

Dan

I use this for bellows repairs. Works perfectly, and dries flexible and light tight. The stuff was made for this.

Dead Link Removed

Folmer and Schwing Manufacturing Company, Folmer and Schwing Division/Department of Eastman Kodak, Folmer Graflex, Graflex Inc. covered all their cameras from introduction in 1898 through 1946 production in XXX Moroccan leather, Naugahyde aka leatherette was used after that. The bellows outer covering is leather also.
http://www.amazon.com/Elmers-E1014-...1085834&sr=8-1&keywords=elmers+contact+cement
is an excellent choice for reattaching the leather. It is easy to clean up excess after it dries as it rolls up with a little finger pressure and hold well.
Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Artist Carbon Black #1040 http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/colors/heavy-body/carbon-black is another good choice for patching pin holes in the bellows and shutter curtain. It can be diluted with water and applied in thin coats. It is very durable.

hey dana

i have used PVC ( poly vinyl acetate ) mixed with black india ink in a pinch
i wouldn't reglue with it, but it might help with pinholes.

john

I bought some black "liquid electrical tape" that is supposed to work, but haven't tried it yet. I need to clear out a space in the garage since apparently it causes some bad fumes.

The bellows I'm going to work on have lots of pinholes, but no big rips or larger holes.

Please let us know how it goes.

If you take a piece of 5x7 photo paper and trim off 1-1/4" ( to make it 3.75x7 inches ) it will fit perfectly in your 3A and it can be a lot of fun. The "postcard" format makes nice sized contact prints.

A lot more fussy, I also trim just over 1/4" from 4x5 film. I made a "film holder" from black construction paper that fits perfectly in the back and holds one of these. I wish I'd just bought 5x7 film and then I could have used it like I do with paper negatives. If anyone has boxes of ADOX CHS 25 ( Efke 25 ) in 5x7 and would like to trade for frozen since bought new boxes of 4x5, I'd be willing to trade and pay a "difference"

I hope you have fun with your 3A!

I had difficulty w/ the liquid electrical stuff. Maybe it was my batch, but it was so thin you had to put on multiple layers, and it ended up being a little more of a bulky repair than I wanted. Tried it on a cloth shutter once too and experienced the same problem. The black silicone I put a link to above dries very opaque w/ one thin layer, and the color matches the bellows so well you can't see the repairs.

Thanks momus, since I haven't started, I'll try your black silicone. I've seen that at my local hardware store.

Thanks for clarifying (leather not leatherette). I'll look for the contact cement. Thanks for all suggestions.

shutterfinger said:

Folmer and Schwing Manufacturing Company, Folmer and Schwing Division/Department of Eastman Kodak, Folmer Graflex, Graflex Inc. covered all their cameras from introduction in 1898 through 1946 production in XXX Moroccan leather, Naugahyde aka leatherette was used after that. The bellows outer covering is leather also.
http://www.amazon.com/Elmers-E1014-...1085834&sr=8-1&keywords=elmers+contact+cement
is an excellent choice for reattaching the leather. It is easy to clean up excess after it dries as it rolls up with a little finger pressure and hold well.
Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Artist Carbon Black #1040 http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/colors/heavy-body/carbon-black is another good choice for patching pin holes in the bellows and shutter curtain. It can be diluted with water and applied in thin coats. It is very durable.

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