14x20 camera build

[OKAROB]

Wow, this is a really interesting thread. I enjoy the way you show your progress!. I am looking forward to seeing you complete the metal work!

Robert

[Michael Roberts]

Thanks Robert! I'm finishing up the little 5x8 right now, using it to practice each step before proceeding to this much bigger camera. I'll post a brief update on my progress on this build in the morning.

[Michael Roberts]

Time to update a couple of items:
First, the acrylic "ground glass," actually not ground glass, but acrylic covered in frosted window film.

I get the film from Home Depot. It is Gila Frosted film.

Here is a link to the maker's video on how to apply the film: https://youtu.be/KIzX8lFEnes?si=3eNSVU7_bLfn0FxN

I use 1/4tsp of Baby Shampoo in a one quart bottle for spray solution.

And here is a link to the Amazon seller where I bought the 1/16" acrylic: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NB1H57W...t_details&th=1

Below is my setup for scoring and snapping the acrylic. I placed a melamine shelf on sawhorses, laid my metal ruler across the acrylic, clamped the ruler in place, and scored the acrylic half a dozen (or more) times. Then I repositioned the acrylic so the scored line was over the edge of the melamine. I clamped a 2x1" piece of scrap wood over the edge of the acrylic and melamine support and pressed down quickly and hard with the heel of my hand. I had two pieces of acrylic, one 12x12" piece from which I was able to get one 5x8, one 4x5, and two 5x7 pieces to make view screens, then for this big camera, I bought an 18x24 piece. All of the score-and-snaps worked perfectly on the smaller pieces, but my first attempt on the 14x17 did not go well. See the jagged edge on the third pic. Fortunately, this was my first cut, so I was able to turn the piece and try again. Unfortunately, this left me with snapping 1/2" off the 18" length. I placed a board over the small excess material and hit it with a hammer. Broke the scrap wood, but the snap was clean!

[Michael Roberts]

These are the two brass feeler gauges from McMaster-Carr, 10' x 0.025 and 0.032, respectively.

So far, I have cut mahogany anchors for the GG springs; cut, filed and drilled eight brass GG clips; cut the brass for the springs, the four retaining clips for the spring back, and for the lens board retainer; and cut and filed four brass nails for pins for the corners of the spring back.

I've got a set of springs for an old 8x10 back; I might decide to use them instead of my DIY springs....

[Michael Roberts]

Bellows arrived! Time to get back to work on this project.

Custom Bellows seems to have done a good job--specs seem spot on. Only disappointments are the weight--seems really heavy at 3lb 10oz, with a canvas-type outer covering instead of a lighter weight nylon--and no tabs for cinching up the bellows when using shorter lenses, as I had requested. Oh, well; two out of three ain't bad (so they say).

In any event, I am glad to be getting back to this camera and looking forward to completing it in the next couple of weeks!

[Tin Can]

How long is the bellows?

I had them make 16X16X40" bellows that is very lightweight and folds under an inch

[Michael Roberts]

45". Man, I wish I had known there were options. This bellows is going to be nearly a quarter of the weight of the finished camera.

[Michael Roberts]

Update: I corresponded with Keith at Custom Bellows. He explained they do have a lighter material but it would sag badly with the 45" length. So, trade-offs.

Also, he is putting the tabs in the mail to me that I can add to take up slack.

[Tin Can]

Remember the adjustable stick to hold up bellows?

I use a soft closed foam under my

Deardorff 10X10 Portrait Studio camera

It has rear controls, rotating back, 8X10 slider

Non folding

and perhaps you also missed my Big Wheel handcart to move it

[Tin Can]

Mod 7 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr