16x20 brazilian build

[coisasdavida]

Did you have any problems with the chatter causing the chuck to drop out, or did the jig help to hold it in place?

One time, when I was making a lensboard for a Speed Graphic.
I was cutting some maple (3/8" thick), making it thinner on the edges to fit the camera.
My solution was to make it in steps or passes. Taking less material in each pass. By doing that, I didn't have the problem with wood anymore.

This last week, with aluminum, not a single problem.
I have to say that I make the chuck much tighter than I would to drill a hole.

[el french]

You can also use downcut router bits in wood and aluminum. They won't try to pull the bit out of the chuck. See here for a good explanation: http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/04/...w-to-use-them/

[coisasdavida]

You can also use downcut router bits in wood and aluminum. They won't try to pull the bit out of the chuck. See here for a good explanation: http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/04/...w-to-use-them/

Wow, lots of learning in this link, thanks!!!!!!

[blindpig]

Fantastic job! Professional looking camera build.Can't wait to see pictures...
Don

[coisasdavida]

I have been working on a few things before glueing the bellows to the rear frame. I wanted to get all the dust making things out of the way before that.
I routed the three backs (8x20", 12x16" and 16x20") and I had the rear frame present in the shop to try and fit to it both horizontal and vertical position. They look like this:



They are not finished yet, because I can never know what is going to happen when I make the film holders, I may have to change a few things here.
For holders I'll be making some like this one: http://www.largeformatphotography.in...=1#post1122897

I was able to modify a tripod to add a platform for this camera, now it sits here waiting.
Next on the list is to glue the bellows, add some sort of latch to keep camera closed, install a couple bubble levels and a carrying handle.

[coisasdavida]

[coisasdavida]

I have been trying to convince myself that I haven't completely ruined the bellows by using a paper too thin.
During my first dry test it was very hard to manage the bellows. It has around 55 inches when extended, a very strong taper as you can see and is not very hard to bend, open and close.
It kept trying to fall all over. I used some paper clips and some scrap wire to hold it towards the front of camera.



That seemed to work so far for the 500mm focused at infinity. But my guess is that I will have trouble trying longer draws, I haven't so far.
I'm thinking of some folding wire supports on the base and inside the rear frame and adding lots of strips/loops to the bellows to hold it towards the front as much as I can.
Is that the right track towards good bellows management?

[winterclock]

Can you glue another layer inside the bellows?

[ic-racer]

Wow, fantastic project.

Other solutions to the bellows droop. An intermediate frame:


Lift the bellows up from below:


Suspend the bellows:

[coisasdavida]

Winterclock, I suppose I could. All glued now to the camera, but if that's what has to be done in the end, easier than making a new one.

Ic-racer, thanks, very clear!