Where to get a lens board drilled?

[Pere Casals]

Hi Pere,

Forgive me if I seeme a bit terse. No offense intended.

Being an international forum, we have many members whose first language is not English.

I think your command of English is excellent. I was just trying to clarify some terms. Thanks.

- Leigh

Don't worry at all, I suspected that you didn't guess that, and if I was native English I had deserved some punishment

In Spanish (european) is "Taller de mecanizado", so I made a direct translation. These periphrasis are difficult because not very colloquial, so any correction you can make me in the future will be of great value. Learning 2 words every day it's a lot !!

[Roger Thoms]

I've been a machinist for 52 years, and never heard of a "machining workshop".

I've heard of a "machine shop", and have owned one for over 20 years.
Many folks I know also own them.

Most machine shops are metal only. They won't touch wood.

You probably need to find a woodworking shop to do that.

- Leigh

I've good a woodshop in my neighborhood. 🙂
http://woodshopsf.com

Roger

[Steve Barber]

I have a blank lens board into which I need a hole drilled and the flange mounted for my Wollensak Veritar lens. Who is a reliable soarce for this type of work in the USA? Thanks in advance, Bill Barber

http://www.skgrimes.com/contact-us

[Stephen Thomason]

Just get a hole saw of the correct diameter, put it on a drill, clamp the lens board to a larger board, and drill away. I've made many for both my "modern" view cameras and my "classic" sheet film cameras.

Use the bottom board as a sacrifice board so you can drill all the way through the lens board without splinters.

If the hole saw is a bit too small, then just use a dremel tool with a sanding disk to enlarge it.

Use some small brass screws to attach the flange.

Or mail it to me with the flange and some money and I'll do it for you.

[sepiareverb]

Wow.

[Leigh]

Wow.

It seems Sepia and I agree for once.

If that was a description of how ST does a lensboard, I would suggest shipping it elsewhere.

- Leigh

[Stephen Thomason]

Leigh, just what do you find objectionable in my description? Drilling a round hole in a piece of wood is not rocket science; I know, I am actually a "rocket scientist" as well (BAE, Ga. Tech). All the OP needs is a drill, some clamps, and a hole saw - he's not duplicating the Holy Grail, he just wants to mount a lens on a board????!!! How hard do you think that is?? Geez.

[David Lindquist]

Leigh, just what do you find objectionable in my description? Drilling a round hole in a piece of wood is not rocket science; I know, I am actually a "rocket scientist" as well (BAE, Ga. Tech). All the OP needs is a drill, some clamps, and a hole saw - he's not duplicating the Holy Grail, he just wants to mount a lens on a board????!!! How hard do you think that is?? Geez.

He'd like to have it done on a Pratt & Whitney jig bore machine.
David

[Leigh]

He'd like to have it done on a Pratt & Whitney jig bore machine.

That would work, but it's overkill.

I use a Bridgeport vertical mill.

- Leigh

[Leigh]

Leigh, just what do you find objectionable in my description?

Everything.

Granted, a person can make a camera from a few pieces of wood and some duct tape.

Drill a hole in the side opposite the film (taped inside the box). Put a hat over the hole.
Time the exposure with an hourglass.
You'll likely get a negative of some sort, perhaps even usable.

Precision tools are used because they produce better results.

It's all about having confidence that something will work as you expect it to, first time, every time.

- Leigh