Shutter cloth

Ian Grant · Feb 25, 2010

I'm looking for a source for shutter cloth to make some new curtains for Thornton Pickard shutters.

Ian

Andy38 · Feb 25, 2010

Hello Ian,
Here is a french site with some pictures.
Perhaps it helps you..

edit : sorry, it's not a good response : I think you know how to do.

illumiquest · Feb 25, 2010

google microtools

Ian Grant · Feb 25, 2010

Andy38 said:
Hello Ian,
Here is a french site with some pictures.
Perhaps it helps you..

Thanks Andy, actually I've re-built one before and now after some though realise I can make my own shutter cloth.

This one I restored had a badly flaking ccurtain, when I stripped off the flaking sealer material I was left with a very creased grey looking cloth which I ironed flat. The cloth was not remotely light proof but a couple of applications (one each side) of water based black acrylic paint and it was fine, I wiped off excess.

So before I go buying specialist cloth I'll try making my own, after all that's what Thornton Pickard did themselves and we now have the benefit of better materials to start with.

Ian

removed account4 · Feb 25, 2010

ian

not sure if it is the same as what jon koss has
but he just listed this: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

maybe it will work for you ?
john

Ian Grant · Feb 25, 2010

John, thanks But you re-wrote the post missing out Fred Lustig etc

I saw that link but I'll try my way first, if it doesn't then I'll buy cloth direct from Japan in a larger size. I'm beginning to restore shutters quite regularly and at some stage have a couple of 35mm shutters to do as well.

Actually my wife had some skirts made the other day and the black lining material is perfect, it's far better than the material Thornton Pickard used but still thin enough so I'll get a decent sized piece and treat it with the acrylic paint. I did the same with a Speed Graphic shutter that had a lot of pinholes and that's now fine.

Ian

c.d.ewen · Feb 25, 2010

Ian:

Have you ever used "motor cloth"? Apparently it's rubberized nylon and available down to 0.010" thickness. It's been mentioned by others for possible use as bellows material. I've not used it, yet, but it's on my list of things to check out.

So, what do you charge for T-P shutter repairs and how many can I send at one time?

Charley

Charley

removed account4 · Feb 25, 2010

i figured it would be more helpful to actually link to the shutter material
than refer to you as " fred lustig of turkey / west midlands uk " ...

are you reselling these TP shutters after you restore them? sounds like a great cottage industry

- john

Ian Grant · Feb 25, 2010

jnanian said:
are you reselling these TP shutters after you restore them? sounds like a great cottage industry

- john

I might sell a few, that wasn't the original intention but I don't have many barrel lenses, so I might sell or trade spares. They were sold for use between lens & camera and also as slip on the front so can be quite useful.

c.d.ewen said:
Ian:
Have you ever used "motor cloth"? Apparently it's rubberized nylon and available down to 0.010" thickness. It's been mentioned by others for possible use as bellows material. I've not used it, yet, but it's on my list of things to check out.

So, what do you charge for T-P shutter repairs and how many can I send at one time?

Charley

I'll check out the "motor cloth" I need to replace the bellows on a 9x12 camera, someone's replaced them poorly they aren't long enough,.

How many TP's do you want to send I owe you a favour for that meter, I'll do one for you as long as no critical parts are missing.

Ian

CRhymer · Feb 25, 2010

Hello Ian,

I just received some #50 pneumatic cloth from the Player Piano Company. It is .008". I have not had a chance to try it yet. I also hope to receive some .012” - 2 ply-motor cloth, .008” rubberized superfine pneumatic cloth, and .005" silk pneumatic cloth from the Leather Supply House presently. I should know in a week or so which ones are useful for TP roller-blind replacement. I have some BK5 0.005" material from Thorlabs. It is not completely light-tight, but I believe is would work if a flexible material like acrylic were applied to the back.

Cheers,
Clarence

Ian Grant · Feb 25, 2010

Clarence, I was looking at Piano cloth, what's it normally used for ? I just checked the price of the BK5 and it's very reasonable

The acrylic paint I used soaks into the cloths and makes them fully light-tight, yet flexible so let me know what you think when you have everything at hand.

Thanks
Ian

Barry S · Feb 25, 2010

I'm refurbishing some TP shutters with the Thorlabs BK5 cloth. I think it'll work just fine without any further light proofing, but I figure it's no big deal to paint on the Golden Carbon Black Acrylic paint/water mixture (2+1) I use for bellows repair and touching up Speed Graphic shutters, if needed. Clarence--please let us know about your evaluations--thanks.

CRhymer · Feb 25, 2010

Hello All,

It may take a while, but I will write up my findings. Barry, is this the paint you mean?

http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-100-170-003

What other coatings are people using?

Cheers,
Clarence

Barry S · Feb 25, 2010

I've been using the thicker paint in a 4 oz tube, but the liquid acrylic version should work fine and it probably doesn't need to be diluted as much with water.

Ian Grant · Feb 26, 2010

The acrylic paint I use sounds the same as Barry's, I don't let it build up on the outside of the cloth rather just in it, it's also excellent for bellows repair. I used some black self adhesive mending cloth on the outside of some badly rotted Graphic bellows, it's so thin than it's almost invisible I'll find the name & make when I'm next in the UK.

Ian

steven_e007 · Mar 3, 2010

A few years ago (maybe 10?) I bought a roll of shutter cloth, exactly the right stuff - just like the Thornton Picard original - from 'Camera Bellows' in Birmingham (England!). I don't recall it was so very expensive, either. I still have a fair bit of it left.

HTH

Steve

jon koss · Oct 6, 2010

Hi Clarence - How did you make out with your evaluation of the various cloths? If there is any news then I am sure we would all be glad to hear. The long NT winter is coming - perfect for writing up a summary!

Best,
J

CRhymer said:
Hello All,
It may take a while, but I will write up my findings. Barry, is this the paint you mean?
http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-100-170-003
What other coatings are people using?
Cheers,
Clarence

Shutter cloth

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