Source for camera hardware

[Murray@uptowngallery]

Two comments...

maybe the GG springs photomc needs must be exact, but I had been considering whether picture framing spring clips for aluminum frames could be used for back springs. They're dirt cheap.

Machining question: How hard is threading things with weird camera threads, like retaining nuts for shutters, etc. I have another weird one, a lens with 95 mm thread but coarse pitch, so available accessories only go on one thread...it's visibly different. (Custom lens so not gonna find another source probably).

Murray

 

[chrisf]

I finished my 5x7 and will post some pictures as soon as I figure out how. I used stainless steel so I was able to find useable parts at Mcmaster. There is an online machine shop where you download drawing software, draw your parts and send them in and get a quote. I don't remember the site name though. I had my parts made by a retired tool and die maker. One more thing if you think you are going to save money making your own camera I think you are mistaken. I spent a lot of time doing drawings and making parts and I didn't get everything right.

 

[df cardwell]

Some of the genius of Canham was to see what was possible from CNC shops, and design his camera around it. The end of the line for Deardorff was effectively when the vendors that supplied it no longer worked with 1920 technology. In the case of replacing worn metal parts on a Deardorff, the cost is heart-stoppingly high using contemporary methods. That Gandolfi has continued and Wisner has survived is remarkable. Look at a Crown Graphic, and marvel how it was made. Build my own camera ? You guys are brave !

You might contact Steve Grimes' succesors if you get stuck.

 

[Murray@uptowngallery]

Knurled washer-face 1/4-20 thumb screws:

Knurled washer-face 1/4-20 thumb screws:


http://www.rafhdwe.com/RAF_site/OnlineCatalog/ehmasterframe01.cfm?PART=tstn

 

[Jim Chinn]

Purchasing springs or having them made for LF is pretty expensive. I inquired about having some made from stainless steel for 11x14 and larger cameras and it was over $100 for one pair. You can make springs from carbon steel hacksaw blades or better bandsaw blades. You can build a jig for bending and heat with a propane torch. You need a nozzle that a plumber would use to produce an optimum flame. Use a pair of blades, one shorter then the other to make one spring.

There have been other posts recently. I usually heat to a dull red, perform the bend and then let the piece air cool or quench in air temperature water. Then reheat to a straw color and then let cool again. The cameras I have been working on do not use springs on the back, but I have been experimenting for making some 8x10s down the road with springs.

 

[photomc]

Thanks for the update Jim, was thinking if I can't find any this would be the next step. Might have to send you a couple of PM's if I get stuck though.....

Thanks
Mike

 

[barryjyoung]

Hobknobbing with Barry Young. Knob making in person

Thanks for the explaination, Barry. Now we have to schedule time for you to show how in person and we can make lots of knobs for our cameras.

Steve

How is the weekend of August 27-28 for everyone? I am free then and should have made some sort of progress on my workshop by then. I got some really cheesy cabinets installed this weekend with the help of my lovely daughter Julia. About 1/3 of the mound left over from moving is now put away. I will whip the rest into shape by this weekend. Once that is done, we can start some serious camera building. The lathe is repaired. It was broken during the move and now works OK. I need to make one handwheel for the cross slide before we do much knobhobbing because the tiny handwheels that come with such a small lathe are misery to use. I will also have that done by the weekend of the 27th -28th. If this is a bad weekend, please let me know and we can schedule another.

Barry Young

 

[barryjyoung]

Machining question: How hard is threading things with weird camera threads, like retaining nuts for shutters, etc. I have another weird one, a lens with 95 mm thread but coarse pitch, so available accessories only go on one thread...it's visibly different. (Custom lens so not gonna find another source probably).

weird camera threads? Um, threads are threads, Either metric or inch. To the best of my limited knowledge cameras either use module threads for metric or standard 60 degree sharp V inch pattern threads. . On the 95mm thread, what is the pitch specifically and do you need to match an internal or an external thread? For small threads like you mentioned, watchmakers use a die plate for threading rods and tiny 2 flute cut taps and sturdier roll taps for threading holes. They are amazingly inexpensive. The trick is to measure accurately so that you buy the correct one.

With a lathe any of these are possible, as long as you have a 127 tooth translating gear, you can turn metric or inch threads on the same lathe. My evil hidden goal is to get every one of you to buy a lathe. Not because I benefit from lathe sales, but because I want to see these skills passed on to a video game generation.

Barry Young

 

[Ole]

weird camera threads? Um, threads are threads, Either metric or inch. To the best of my limited knowledge cameras either use module threads for metric or standard 60 degree sharp V inch pattern threads...

Not quite... There have been many "weird threads" used through the years, like the 40 degree threads on the big Compound shutters. They're often quoted as 29 tpi, but that's not absolutely correct. See "Bottom feeder's guide to German lenses" in the articles for specifications