Linhof Technika III restoration help

[Ari]

Hi all,
I just purchased an old Technika III from a forum member, it needs some cosmetic work.
The leatherette and the bellows both need replacing, but included in the sale was a new bellows and the leatherette kit.
I was thinking that contact cement would be the best way to go for both, but I'm kind of new to this, so any suggestions from the commentariat are deeply appreciated.
And any other ideas (i.e. sanding the metal before applying leatherette) or suggestions would greatly help.
Thanks in advance

[Juergen Sattler]

Pliobond is the way to go. I have restored many Technikas by cutting my own leather for it and Pliobond works wonders, No need to sand down the metal parts - just make sure that all of the old leather has been removed.

[Ari]

Thanks, Juergen.
From my initial look-see, the leather strips are self-adhesive, so my chief concern is now on gluing the bellows. Pliobond still a good choice?
Also, the bellows are missing the rear frame, the one that glues to the back; I was thinking to make my own from thick hardened plastic or something similar since I can't cut metal here.
Thanks again!

[Barry Kirsten]

I've also done re-leathering in the past. The important thing about the adhesive is that it be heat-softenable to allow easy removal of certain strips needed to get access to adjustments for the rangefinder. (There may also be other covered ports, I can't remember.)

I don't know whether Pliobond can be softened, nor can I remember which brand of adhesive I used. I suggest you go to a leather supplier and ask for suggestions for this type of adhesive.

Barry.

[Ari]

Thanks, Barry.
The leatherette kit is from Linhof, already cut and self-adhesive.
I found Pliobond at a nearby hardware store, and would like to know if anyone has experience using that to glue bellows.
Also, can a bellows frame be made from plastic? Any other suggestions for material?
Thanks again.

[Juergen Sattler]

Hi Ari,

yes, I used Pliobond also to glue the bellows to the frame - I assume that's what you are asking? Or do you want to make your own bellows? I have no experience in that - so can't help.

[Ari]

Yes, thank you, Juergen.
I have new bellows, just need to glue them.
And could I make a rear bellows frame out of plastic, or some other home-made material?
Thanks again

[John Koehrer]

I imagine you can make the frame from plastic or something like basswood.
I'd look at the frame you do have and find something similar. Frames for Deardorff are similar to basswood and don't so much as add strength to the bellows, just hold it in shape.

[rknewcomb]

I have put new bellows on a couple of older Technikas. As far as I remember the rear of the bellows has no frame. It is glued directly to the flat metal plate in the rear of the camera - the flat plate which the four "floating" posts of the rear Linhof movement go through - not the rotating back plate but the one forward of it.
The front of the bellows has a thin "bellows frame" (more of a flat thin plate). The bellows wraps around/over this plate and then metal screws from the front lensboard area hold it in place.
Robert

I imagine you can make the frame from plastic or something like basswood.
I'd look at the frame you do have and find something similar. Frames for Deardorff are similar to basswood and don't so much as add strength to the bellows, just hold it in shape.

[Ari]

I have put new bellows on a couple of older Technikas. As far as I remember the rear of the bellows has no frame. It is glued directly to the flat metal plate in the rear of the camera - the flat plate which the four "floating" posts of the rear Linhof movement go through - not the rotating back plate but the one forward of it.
The front of the bellows has a thin "bellows frame" (more of a flat thin plate). The bellows wraps around/over this plate and then metal screws from the front lensboard area hold it in place.
Robert

Hmm...very interesting. I would think that a frame would add a little more stability and/or security.
Thanks, Robert; I hope your memory is better than mine!