What type of wood to use for 1880 dry plate camera extension rail?

jon koss · Apr 18, 2010

Hello all - I have finally decided to fabricate an extension rail to replace the shabbily constructed mongrel rail on this circa 1880 dry plate beauty. Question: is this most likely cherry wood or something else such as walnut or mahogany? In the first picture you can see the original front rail that I am trying to match. I am including the shots of the body just for reference.

Thanks in advance,
Jon

sepiareverb · Apr 18, 2010

Looks like Mahogany to me.

Bill Harrison · Apr 18, 2010

wood

Looks like mahogany to me too. I will go a step further, and say, probably Cuban mahogany, which was still being used when this camera was built. It looks smooth grained and not ribbon grained, like honduran can be... I may have some that will match closely in my wood stash... (instrument maker) Let me know if you can't locate some in your area. Best, Bill

John Jarosz · Apr 18, 2010

I second the Cuban Mahogany. There is a guy in Ithaca NY who sells Cuban Mahogany from a plantation in Samoa or some other Pacific island. Cherry is also a good choice. I feel walnut is too heavy, dense, and difficult to work for camera parts.

John

jon koss · Apr 18, 2010

Thanks for the notes, guys. Bill, just double checking - you are speaking of the lower rail to which the hinge is fastened, correct?

Best,
Jon

Bill Harrison said:
Looks like mahogany to me too. I will go a step further, and say, probably Cuban mahogany, which was still being used when this camera was built. It looks smooth grained and not ribbon grained, like honduran can be... I may have some that will match closely in my wood stash... (instrument maker) Let me know if you can't locate some in your area. Best, Bill

What type of wood to use for 1880 dry plate camera extension rail?

jon koss

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