"New" Agfa Ansco 8x10 Universal Back Mounting Issue

[lifted_spirit]

Hello all!

I recently took possession of a cherry wood Agfa Ansco 8x10 Universal with the brass knobs, rails, etc. So far everything looks to be in good shape - all movements, knobs, etc move freely and function as expected.

The one issue I have is the ground glass/back doesn't "set" properly in the rear standard. It has two brass "back holders" or supports at the lower portion of the standard and two brass "clips" at the top of the standard. If I put the ground glass/back up against the upper clips, there's roughly 1/4 inch or 1/2 cm of distance between the bottom of the back and the lower brass supports. (or vice versa - if I set the back in the lower supports, the same distance exists between the top of the back and the rear standard's upper brass clips)

The upper clips extend straight out, perpendicular to the rear standard while the lower supporting brass appears bent downward.

My thought is a wrench ought to be able to grab and pull those lower supports up in order to properly fit and support the back. However, I'm not sure if doing so with everything attached is more likely to damage the wood of the rear standard. If so, would I be better off removing the rear standard so I can get the brass supports removed from the wood and then straightening the brass?

Has anyone run into this situation or have any general advice?

Thanks much!

Terrel

[Tin Can]

need detailed good pictures

[Michael Roberts]

If yours is like this one http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/scovill/agfa.htm
I suggest removing the lower support brackets before straightening them. If you try straightening them while attached you might pull the screws out of the wood.

[lifted_spirit]

If yours is like this one http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/scovill/agfa.htm
I suggest removing the lower support brackets before straightening them. If you try straightening them while attached you might pull the screws out of the wood.

Yes that looks like the version I have, or similar to it. Thank you!

Images below (sorry it's posting them rotated -90 degrees and I can't figure out how

empty lower support 208671

lower support gap with back pushed almost completely up to upper clip (it slipped a bit while taking the photo with the other hand) 208672

upper clip gap with back supported by lower support 208670

entire camera 208669

[ic-racer]

Looks like a little damage on the back clips. Camera look like it needs a complete overhaul. How are the bellows?

[Dugan]

It looks to me like the bottom support wood is damaged and at an angle...it appears that the clips are straight.
That would explain why the top clips are missing the mark by 1/2"

[karl french]

I think Dugan has it.

[Tin Can]

There are ways to fix it

But it’s your choice

Pay a pro like Richard Ritter

Or find a woodworker

Or DIY

I know what I would do, but that doesn’t help you

[Michael Roberts]

Agree with Dugan and Karl. Could be some wood glue and a couple of screws will repair this, but it’s hard to tell w/o more pictures of the damage to the rear frame.

[Tin Can]

Michael, you are an expert in woodworking and camera making!

OP, before posting your pictures, run them through an editor and rotate them up, then post

I have to do that with every cell phone image


Agree with Dugan and Karl. Could be some wood glue and a couple of screws will repair this, but it’s hard to tell w/o more pictures of the damage to the rear frame.

[lifted_spirit]

Thank you all for the advice and pointers! Dugan is indeed correct. I unscrewed the rear standard from the tilt hinge and can get a better view of the bottom of it. There's a crack and the wood has jutted out at that point, causing the lower supports to be lower than they should. This appears a bit more involved of a fix than I thought as the lower standard connects to the side standards in a zig zag, comb-like connection. This might be a job for a pro given my limited understanding of these beasts, so I appreciate the recommendations.

I hadn't looked at the bellows yet as I didn't need worry about it until I could get the back on without it falling out. Will give them a thorough look through over the next day or two.

And thanks for the heads up on using an editor with cell phone photos uploaded here. I'm ironically mostly non-proficient in the use of cell phone cameras.

Best.

Terrel