The latest iteration
I finally got round to trying sliding box construction.
I dismantled both the existing box cameras and made a 5x4 using the 150mm Repromaster and then a 10x8 using the 213mm, the latter being pictured below.
As you can see it has a ground glass focusing screen with fresnel. The former I manufactured in my back yard using glass from a clip frame and Ian Grant's admirably clear instructions ((there was a url link here which no longer exists)), the latter was £2 from eBay.
Very simple foamcore two-box construction. I contemplated a three-box design which would make light-tightness more sure, but I also know my limitations.
It was surprisingly difficult to build, which is mostly about my lack of engineering/craft skills, plus my choice of materials. But as I said before, this is about making as much as I can from basic materials I can work in my kitchen with just a knife and ruler.
It's light in weight of course, but big and clumsy, and a pain to carry about; The 213 is heavy, and while whole camera balances OK with a darkslide on, with just the focus screen in, it is front heavy ... on my first outing it tumbled off the tripod while my back was turned, and the lens nearly punched through the front "standard" (using Blu-Tack to hold it onto the tripod platform wasn't the best idea
)
No shots yet that I'm happy to share, but suffice to say it does what it is supposed to do.
