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View Full Version : Wood veneer on a B&J Press camera?


TPanico
17-Apr-2015, 17:33
I picked up a B&J 4x5 Press camera at auto parts swap meet of all places. It's missing it's leather pieces and the spring back, but over all it's still very solid. I was thinking of doing something a little different and replace the missing leather with a wood veneer.

Has anyone attempted this yet?

I have been doing a bit of research for the type of adhesive to use and it looks like plain old contact cement will be the way to go.

Any other thoughts on this project?
Heespharm
17-Apr-2015, 17:48
I've seen converted Polaroid cameras and speed graphics done this way... Looks nice... I'd just use contact cement or e6000
jbenedict
17-Apr-2015, 17:57
There is a picture of a Crown Graphic redone with veneer somewhere here- I think in the for sale section.
TPanico
17-Apr-2015, 18:26
There is a picture of a Crown Graphic redone with veneer somewhere here- I think in the for sale section.

I'm still on my 30 day probation and unable to see that section of the forum. But it's nice to know it's been done before.
DannL
17-Apr-2015, 18:26
Wista made cameras with an artificial wood grain surface.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WISTA-45-Brown-4x5-body-for-Large-size-format-film-camera-/271841412688?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4b02c650
Tin Can
17-Apr-2015, 18:52
Leather is more resilient than wood veneer.

I recently read, perhaps here, how a person recovered a camera with wet leather and a water base glue, which dried taut. Seemed like a real good process.
Tim Meisburger
17-Apr-2015, 21:28
132570 Here is a veneered Crown Graphic that Kerry Thalmann sold recently. I shamelessly copied this image from his ad. Hope that is okay, but if not please remove.
TPanico
18-Apr-2015, 04:13
132570
Here is a veneered Crown Graphic that Kerry Thalmann sold recently. I shamelessly copied this image from his ad. Hope that is okay, but if not please remove.

Very nice work! The B&J is a metal camera that has inlayed spots for the leather. This will leave a black frame around the wood on each side. I think the contrast will look pretty good. I don't have a good source of veneers locally so I have ordered it online. I will certainly post some pictures as the process starts.