Zeiss Ikon 250/7 - attaching bellows to body -

[Miguel Gizmo]

Hello everyone,

After many years of fine service, the glue holding the bellows on the camera body has come undone.

I would like to reglue them together, but would very much appreciate any advice from those who know.

More specifically the type of glue/adhesion material and any advice with the process.

Attached are photos of the metal frame and bellows.
The frame has a rough grinded surface to help enable cohesion.

The outer part of the bellows is leather, and inside is fabric.
It is the fabric part which is glued to the body, not the leather.

After cleaning carefully, there is still some dried glue, but I am reluctant to try to clean for I may damage the fabric.

Thank you all in advance.

Miguel

 

[bunip]

I use a glue called Super Attack, it’s a cyanoacrilate glue, very fluid and dangerous if you stick together your fingers. it works well because penetrate the 3 layers (fabric, paper and leather).

 

[Miguel Gizmo]

I use a glue called Super Attack, it’s a cyanoacrilate glue, very fluid and dangerous if you stick together your fingers. it works well because penetrate the 3 layers (fabric, paper and leather).

Hello and thank you for replying!
Okay, I believe thats what we call crazy glue or super glue.
It sounds very permanent.
Do you think a rubber cement would work? Or maybe not strong enough to support a fully extented bellows?

 

[bunip]

I’m sorry, do not know what is rubber cement. try first super glue, if you see it doesn’t attach well to the frame you can go with the second one. I’ve done lots of agfa isolette’s bellows exchange and always was satisfied,even 5-6 years later with some use in between.

 

[bunip]

the most important thing is the leather get glued together with paper and fabric. if not, glue only on fabric, it will not be light tight and will detach in a while.

 

[Miguel Gizmo]

Great information. Thank you.

Do you apply the glue to the bellows and then secure it to the body, or put the glue on the body then attach the bellows?

How do you hold the bellows to the body while it dries?

Super glue dries very quickly, I guess I must work quickly.
Thanks again

 

[bunip]

glue on the bellows and then secure it to the body. yes you have to be fast and mind that if you use too much glue it become hot while it dries.

 

[Kino]

The original glue was probably some form of hide glue from the looks of the residue.

 

[Alex Varas]

Hi,

I have glued a couple of bellows so far and I have used UHU POR glue, it allows you to spread the glue both sides, wait one minute more and stick both parts. For holding the I use office clamps, you can use an small and thin wood/plastic/metal stripe along each side to distribute the clamps pressure all over the rail, 3 clamps for short sides and 4 for long sides, 2cm clamps would be enough.
The main point for me is to do one side at a time, let it dry at least 8 hours (better 24h) and do the next.
I hope it helps,
Alex