Sean Farren
10-May-2005, 12:13
I am currently restoring a Korona 8x20, and find myself a little short to have a new bellows made by Turner Bellows. So I have decided to attempt to build a replacement bellows, but have found most of the information on the net very general, and a little simplistic for what I need to accomplish.
The 8x20 bellows was made in two pieces. Does anyone know if this was by design, or necessity. There have been some thoughts that wide enough material may have been cost prohibitive, while others have pointed out that the garment industry as a whole was much more accomplished that what we have today.
After some trial an error, I have made the first complete template of the bellows. Unfortunately not only is the 8x20 bellows tapered, it also drops. That is, the bottom of the bellows is flat, while the top slopes. Before cutting the template, I am wondering about the pros and cons of making it as one piece (one inside sheet, one outside sheet) or cutting it in half horizontally? This brings up another question of design or practicality: The inside seams (2) and the outside seams (2) are not in the same place. A design trick to avoid bulks on the overlap? Or happenstance?
Another question, and there may be some Greek formula for this that I am unaware of: How to determine how many folds a bellows should have? It appears that on the 8x20 I have, there are 23 peaks. The rise/fall sections vary from 1/2" to 3/4", getting longer as you get closer to the lens board.
We are also in the process of modeling the camera to make a metal version (most likely aluminum), so we will need to make another set of bellows assuming that we are successful with the first. We have been experimenting with fabrics and adhesives. So far interfusing and sanding disc cement hold out the most promise.
I came across some Deardorff notes on the net about bellows construction, but they are a little cryptic. I fear they contain just enough information so that the master wouldn't forget. However they are elvin to a origami newbie such as myself.
Several people have suggested recovering the existing bellows. Unfortunately the bellows got wet in some Louisiana attic and became quite deformed. While this would work, it would be as ugly as all.
Any input, guidance discouragement (as long as it is well placed) would be appreciated.
Regards,
Sean
The 8x20 bellows was made in two pieces. Does anyone know if this was by design, or necessity. There have been some thoughts that wide enough material may have been cost prohibitive, while others have pointed out that the garment industry as a whole was much more accomplished that what we have today.
After some trial an error, I have made the first complete template of the bellows. Unfortunately not only is the 8x20 bellows tapered, it also drops. That is, the bottom of the bellows is flat, while the top slopes. Before cutting the template, I am wondering about the pros and cons of making it as one piece (one inside sheet, one outside sheet) or cutting it in half horizontally? This brings up another question of design or practicality: The inside seams (2) and the outside seams (2) are not in the same place. A design trick to avoid bulks on the overlap? Or happenstance?
Another question, and there may be some Greek formula for this that I am unaware of: How to determine how many folds a bellows should have? It appears that on the 8x20 I have, there are 23 peaks. The rise/fall sections vary from 1/2" to 3/4", getting longer as you get closer to the lens board.
We are also in the process of modeling the camera to make a metal version (most likely aluminum), so we will need to make another set of bellows assuming that we are successful with the first. We have been experimenting with fabrics and adhesives. So far interfusing and sanding disc cement hold out the most promise.
I came across some Deardorff notes on the net about bellows construction, but they are a little cryptic. I fear they contain just enough information so that the master wouldn't forget. However they are elvin to a origami newbie such as myself.
Several people have suggested recovering the existing bellows. Unfortunately the bellows got wet in some Louisiana attic and became quite deformed. While this would work, it would be as ugly as all.
Any input, guidance discouragement (as long as it is well placed) would be appreciated.
Regards,
Sean