re-laminate bellows in Kodak 3A model 4B

[markfitzgerald]

I have a 3A I'm trying to modify to take 120 film, but the bellows leather has delaminated from the cloth back. It looks like the bellows is not easy to remove -- so I'm wondering if anyone has ever injected glue or something like that between the layers to get it back to being connected again. Other than that, the leather is in perfect shape. Thanks for any ideas...

 

[John Will]

Perhaps get in touch with Sandeha Lynch ( http://sandehalynch.com/camerawork/bellows.php ) and see if he can help, he can probably make a new bellows if necessary. I used his replacement bellows on my Isolette and it fits perfectly.

 

[shutterfinger]

Can you post pictures of your bellows?
Generally If the exterior is separated so that I can lift it up separate from the stays I spread contact cement on the stays/liner then press back down. If the liner is dropping down from the stays/exterior covering then I spread the contact cement on the inside on the stays/ exterior covering then press the lining back into place.
I have used DAP Weldwood Nonflammable Contact Cement https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-Weldwood-32-fl-oz-Nonflammable-Contact-Cement-25332/100174435
Currently I use Pliobond 25 VOC Compliant contact cement. https://www.ebay.com/itm/PLIOBOND-P...m3paFD7X:sc:ShippingMethodExpress!95122!US!-1
The DAP is water soluble while wet. The DAP and Pliobond dry rubbery and any excess can be rubbed off.
Apply to one surface only, press together while wet.

Vintage Kodak folders have the bellows riveted in place making replacing them or removing them for repairs difficult.

 

[markfitzgerald]

Can you post pictures of your bellows?
Generally If the exterior is separated so that I can lift it up separate from the stays I spread contact cement on the stays/liner then press back down. If the liner is dropping down from the stays/exterior covering then I spread the contact cement on the inside on the stays/ exterior covering then press the lining back into place.
I have used DAP Weldwood Nonflammable Contact Cement https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-Weldwood-32-fl-oz-Nonflammable-Contact-Cement-25332/100174435
Currently I use Pliobond 25 VOC Compliant contact cement. https://www.ebay.com/itm/PLIOBOND-P...m3paFD7X:sc:ShippingMethodExpress!95122!US!-1
The DAP is water soluble while wet. The DAP and Pliobond dry rubbery and any excess can be rubbed off.
Apply to one surface only, press together while wet.

Vintage Kodak folders have the bellows riveted in place making replacing them or removing them for repairs difficult.

Pictures don't really show anything because the bellows look normal from the outside. If you touch the leather, it's like there's nothing behind it. the whole thing on both sides and most of the top and bottom has just come unglued from the inside liner and/or stays. The issue is as you've said -- the bellows seems to be riveted in the front, and crimped in the back with metal tabs bent in and under. I did just buy some DAP contact cement and I'm thinking maybe I can thin it with acetone and inject it from inside and let it run down. But I've never tried it, nor read about anyone doing it successfully so I'm a little hesitant as I don't really wan to ruin the camera.

 

[John Will]

Not sure if this is your model Kodak https://www.flickr.com/photos/photoplastic/6516615951 but it shows the process of replacing the bellows.

 

[markfitzgerald]

Not sure if this is your model Kodak https://www.flickr.com/photos/photoplastic/6516615951 but it shows the process of replacing the bellows.

I think that's newer than mine. Mine doesn't have the rangefinder, nor does it have any sort of rack and pinion focusing. The bellows on mine is actual red leather, which is why it's not destroyed like the one in the link. Mine still has wood for the base and zone focusing.

 

[shutterfinger]

I would not use solvent based contact cement.
You could carefully cut the inner lining with a hobby knife, fold the material back, apply glue to the leather and stays, then press the lining back in place, Do one side at a time.
A latex (water based) contact cement can be diluted with water and injected.

 

[markfitzgerald]

I would not use solvent based contact cement.
You could carefully cut the inner lining with a hobby knife, fold the material back, apply glue to the leather and stays, then press the lining back in place, Do one side at a time.
A latex (water based) contact cement can be diluted with water and injected.

Actually I unscrewed the four screws on the front plate and instead of seeing what I expected (another plate with a ring with rivets or something) I saw that the bellows was just glued on! So I was able to use an xacto knife to pry it up and now I'm able to get in between, at least from the front. I was thinking of maybe trying spray adhesive instead of dripping something down in there.

 

[markfitzgerald]

Actually I unscrewed the four screws on the front plate and instead of seeing what I expected (another plate with a ring with rivets or something) I saw that the bellows was just glued on! So I was able to use an xacto knife to pry it up and now I'm able to get in between, at least from the front. I was thinking of maybe trying spray adhesive instead of dripping something down in there. View attachment 249969

Well that didn’t work. It was like confetti in there.