Does anyone have any idea where I could get a replacement handle for a 5X7 Gundlach Manufacturing Corp. wooden field camera? The handle is 6-1/4" long and and the part that goes under the retaining hardware is 5/8". I can find trunk handles and the like that are very similar in shape but all are sadly, too long. Pic of old handle attached. I can't trust this. Thank you.
I don't trust old leather handles either, as I have seen leather just break clean easily... My rule "No leather straps"!!!!
But I needed one for a restoration of an RB series D Graflex, and got silly quotes from pro leatherworkers, some over $300, but found new shorter ones from guitar amp restoration for cheap... (mine needed a short 7 1/2" one)
But some leather guy told me just to get a thick piece of leather, soak it well, and cut out the "dogbone" shape... (the wetting makes for easy, precise cuts) A new pants belt can supply stock for this...
Steve K
They ARE still made and work fine.
This source has almost what you want.
https://www.brettunsvillage.com/trun...rts/schandles/
https://www.brettunsvillage.com/trun...parts/handles/
There are others and a good belt maker can also do it.
Go to an Op shop/Good Will shop, buy an old brown leather belt.
Take the old one off, trace around it and use a box cutter to cut it out.
$2 fix.
I did this on my Korona 7x17". No issues with it and it weighs much more than your 5x7".
Lachlan.
You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky
What Lachlan said, except I use a leather belt from Tandy Leather. This is a single (not layers or pieces that can separate), 5/32 in. thick leather strap.
As Randy suggested, I used Brettuns Village to rehandle my Kodak 2D. Specifically TH-16 from this page:
https://www.brettunsvillage.com/trun...parts/handles/
Here is the result:
New handle by Robert Brazile, on Flickr
I can't believe some want to use an old belt when TH-16 is $10 delivered!
If we don't use these old-time businesses they disappear.
Focal Point just did.
Robert,
Do you just screw into the wood? Or do you use a nut and bolt? Looks beautiful.
What do people here recommend to replace the original rivets? I often see split rivets, but seriously question the security of those. It doesn't matter how stout or robust the handle itself is if it's not fastened securely to the camera.
I assume replacing a handle of this style means drilling out the old rivets and replacing them with some other kind of fastener. Machine screws work, but lack the finished look of the original.
Not to Australia, it isn't...Originally Posted by Randy Moe
Lachlan.
You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky
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