Tips for replacing felt light traps in holders?

I have several 5x7 film holders which need the felt light traps replaced. Could someone give me some tips on how to proceed?

These are old Kodak and Graflex wooden holders, so easy to access light traps by removing four screws.

The felt is wrapped around the brass spring material (along with a protective plastic? strip) then crimped by the tight fold of a metal strip. As you can see in the attached photo, when using a small flat head screwdriver to pry apart the fold I create small indentations in the metal. Hmm... that doesn't look like it will be easy to crimp back flat and tight.

So what kind of tool(s) do you use to properly open and reseal this crimp/fold that holds the felt in place?

Also, I've read that some folks use adhesive to glue the felt in place... if that's advisable, which type of adhesive is best? One person commented that some adhesives will off gas or leave an oily film that can possibly damage film.

Also, recommendations for exactly what type of felt and source for such?

Thanks

I was able to finally get to a Joann's Fabric store today. Looked through a lot of black material which I felt would not work- either not woven tight enough to be light-tight, too thick, not lint-free, or too stretchy.

Finally decided to try a Velvet Ribbon $5/yd, 100% nylon, 1.5" wide, stock #07865488. It is just a little thicker and wider than the original felt but otherwise seems like it will work. The original felt was 1 3/8 wide.

They also have something called Neo Emp Velveteen at $14.99/yd roll stock #01581974 (mostly cotton) which might work: I might try that as a fall back if the ribbon doesn't work.

It may take me a few weeks to get around to putting these together, but I will at that point report back.

As someone elsewhere has suggested, I'm going to try just pulling the existing trap out of the crimp then use a wide flat blade to pry it open for reinserting the trap with new felt. It seems like a simple procedure, but the proper tools and technique will be important to make it smooth working- so I'd appreciate any input from folks who have experience doing this...

Keith Ostertag

BTW- evidently the proper name for the brass spring material is fingerstock, and is available online from http://www.omegashielding.com/ among others? I don't anticipate needing to buy any.

Reporting back:

This velvet ribbon, in my opinion, will not work satisfactorily for use in the light trap. As soon as you cut it, it throws out a multitude of fragmented pieces! I suppose one could seal the cut with glue or maybe fingernail polish, but of course that would invite other problems. Also, it is too thick and is the wrong type of weave.

So, I'm still looking for a suitable material.

Keith Ostertag

I look forward to your updates.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

I use blackout material stained with black ink as a light seal on an m6 and it worked.

keithostertag said:

Reporting back:

This velvet ribbon, in my opinion, will not work satisfactorily for use in the light trap. As soon as you cut it, it throws out a multitude of fragmented pieces! I suppose one could seal the cut with glue or maybe fingernail polish, but of course that would invite other problems. Also, it is too thick and is the wrong type of weave.

So, I'm still looking for a suitable material.

Keith Ostertag

Click to expand...

Thanks for reporting back. This won't solve the other problems, but I wonder if cutting it with a heated knife blade would work as it would melt the fibers at the end of the cut. Something like this. Or just use a lighter.

Felt from Joann's or hobby store http://www.joann.com/12x18in-felt/zprd_02404655a.html#q=felt&start=3 or http://www.michaels.com/black-felt/MD004741S.html?dwvar_MD004741S_color=Black#q=felt&start=20
Spread the finger stock open with a 1 inch or wider wood chisel. Press in with the angled side facing the side of the finger stock you want to bend outward. Crimp with the smooth section of large needle nose pliers.

Some types of velvet was used for light seals in some cameras, possibly a cotton base.