My bellows repair recipe and technique.

[ChristopherCoy]

I found out today that PVA glue mixed with India Ink isn't optimal. I packed up me camera last night and went shooting this afternoon, and found out that PVA glue will stick to itself.

I'm going to try the plastidip thing this weekend.

 

[StoneNYC]

Give me some sizes, they aren't expensive maybe $8 max. I had thought of making them an offer for the lot They aren't always there though so I can't make promises. And yes in the UK.

Ian

OK Ian... sizes...

I assume you wanted the large and small end sizes? If there isn't an exact size match, can I assume the folds can be cut down to size?

3 foldies, one seems like it's slightly different from the other even if they are the same "size" as far as film image and film type...

ok the most important two are...

Large end - 7.5cm x 11.5cm | Small end - 3.5cm x 4cm
Large end - 7cm x 9.5cm | Small end - 4cm x 4.75cm

The third less important but would be neat to fix is almost the same as the first one above, slightly different though...

Large end - 7.5cm x 12cm | Small end - 3.75cm x 4cm

Look I did them in metric sizes! I'm so proud (I almost used inches since that's what kodak would have used but you're in the UK right? so did I dun good? haha)

Seriously I'm sure they won't have these EXACT sizes but as long as the small end will get that small, if the bigger end is... slightly bigger, I can always just taper it in.

Anyway I hope that's the size information you were looking for.

Thanks!

This will be fun to shoot since none of the patents go past 1917

 

[georg16nik]

I found out today that PVA glue mixed with India Ink isn't optimal. I packed up me camera last night and went shooting this afternoon, and found out that PVA glue will stick to itself.

I'm going to try the plastidip thing this weekend.

Try thin coat liquid rubber

 

[Ian Grant]

Unfortunately on this occasion the box of bellows wasn't there. Not such a good day . . . . . . except the 20 mint cable releases for £10 ($16)

I can do metric & imperial so that's not an issue. I ndid try.

Ian

OK Ian... sizes...

I assume you wanted the large and small end sizes? If there isn't an exact size match, can I assume the folds can be cut down to size?

3 foldies, one seems like it's slightly different from the other even if they are the same "size" as far as film image and film type...

ok the most important two are...

Large end - 7.5cm x 11.5cm | Small end - 3.5cm x 4cm
Large end - 7cm x 9.5cm | Small end - 4cm x 4.75cm

The third less important but would be neat to fix is almost the same as the first one above, slightly different though...

Large end - 7.5cm x 12cm | Small end - 3.75cm x 4cm

Look I did them in metric sizes! I'm so proud (I almost used inches since that's what kodak would have used but you're in the UK right? so did I dun good? haha)

Seriously I'm sure they won't have these EXACT sizes but as long as the small end will get that small, if the bigger end is... slightly bigger, I can always just taper it in.

Anyway I hope that's the size information you were looking for.

Thanks!

This will be fun to shoot since none of the patents go past 1917

 

[StoneNYC]

Unfortunately on this occasion the box of bellows wasn't there. Not such a good day . . . . . . except the 20 mint cable releases for £10 ($16)

I can do metric & imperial so that's not an issue. I ndid try.

Ian

Thanks for trying, I can wait till next time,


~Stone

The Noteworthy Ones - Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1 / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[R Hogan]

You should try water-based resist, which is used in silkscreening and batik. It's made to paint of draw on fabric, sets up as durable latex, can be thinned with water, and comes in opaque colors, including black. I've used it on the corners of my Retina IIa bellows which can't take the added thickness of even masking tape and still close. I apply it on the outside and carefully dust with talcum after it has dried, since the bellows is clamped so tightly when closed and could stick when closed for a long period.

Any decent art supply store should have resist in 2 oz. bottles.

 

[Rudolph Crane]

A couple of months ago I repaired the bellows on my Toyo 8x10 camera. Wanted to wait some time before sharing to make sure this worked. So far so good.

What I used was a combination of recipes and methods posted here and around the web plus an old crafting technique: Papier-mâché --- with cloth (not paper).

Materials:
- Symphony Broadcloth Solid Cotton Fabric (Jo-Ann Fabrics)
- Rit Dye Powdered Fabric Dye, Black
- Elmer's Craft Bond Tacky Glue, 8-Ounce, Clear
- Aleene's Flexible Stretchable 4oz

Formula:
- Mixed 8oz of Elmer's Tacky Glue with 4oz of Aleene's Flexible Stretchable Glue
- Added about 2 tspn of the Black Azabache Dye
- Added 2 drops of Cascade Rinsing Agent (could have used photo-flow humectant if I had it)
- Mixed well for about 10 minutes (it does take time to get everything truly mixed)

The pictures explain the process.
First I repaired patched the corners.
After the corners were dry (24 hr) - proceeded to cover all the sides. Cut the cloth with enough slack to drape over the corner patch.

Now I have fully functional light tight and flexible bellows.

Hope this helps someone!

Rudolph Crane (pin-shot.com)

 

[paul ron]

i use patches made from shutter curtains. very thin, and very opaque. contact cement works great.

depending on the size of hole, apply from the inside and out for large tears, or just inside for pinholes in corners. because its so thin, it conforms well in folds.

 

[europanorama]

Maris, regarding the 3M type 850 industrial black tape (1"): expensive is not the proper word. It costs almost USD 2000 for a case of 72 rolls!!!! - David Lyga

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...Tapes/SpcltyTape/ProdInfo/Spec6/Polyester850/

One can get single rolls on ebay the 850 is also name 850 F it seems the same. i didnt find this naming on 3M-site. since it for car/aero/space-industry i would trust. already bought to repair my unique vintage shell shutter- go to FB Large Format Photography for images. its 14cm diameter inside.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Personally I use a glue made for repairing wet suits...dries flexible and light tight . ..not for huge holes...simple
Best peter