Large format camera parts and pieces for building from scratch

Hi all!

I'm about to design and build an 8x10 camera. I have most of the design ready but I have one problem. The moving and screwing parts. Bolts, nuts, knobs, focusing knob / thread, etc. Those you see in all view and field cameras...

I know most of the camera makers manufacture their own pieces, but I think there must be somewhere I can find similar or the same components for sale as units or bulk.

Does anybody know anything about this? Any help/advice?

Thanks a lot!!!!

Nuts, bolts, screws: try McMaster Carr.

Knobs, I usually made my own when I used to do this. Sometimes start with a T-nut or wing nut and add something to grip.

Leaf springs were always my downfall. Sometimes I bought old cameras and took what I needed. There are ways of making your own, and maybe somebody here knows.

The focus screw: I know some have bought them from Chamonix. Or Amazon has them. They are in 3-D printers, so available as a replacement part. Pitch can be a bugger. McMaster may have them too. Called a "lead screw".

Have fun.

e

I'm making a 5x7 at the moment. I've bought lead screw, nut and bearing (from 3D printer) and knobs from China via eBay. Metal parts like front/rear panel clips standard arms and stays, I make myself. Making the metal parts is time-consuming, but possible with average diy skills and lots of patience.

Im in the process of doing the same thing myself- McMaster for the screw-related items, carbon fiber instead of aluminum (way easier to cut and fine tune) where I can get away with it and knowing someone with a mill to do the aluminum parts are the routes I have taken so far. Plenty online about grinding glass so I did that myself. Chamonix sells bellows which was also a part I did not want to do. Im a competent woodworker, so the teak frames and the easier aluminum parts were done by me. We have a local shop that will do the anodizing of the aluminum when I get to that point. Hope this helps

For complicated metal parts I work in trade with a machine shop here in the Bay Area, I get the basics from McMaster.

the leaf springs can be gotten as picture frame springs. they also come in larger sizes used for window screens.

check this out?
https://www.amazon.com/frame-spring-...e+spring+clips

.window spring search....

https://www.bing.com/search?q=window...16&FORM=CHROMN

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kogino

Hi all!

I'm about to design and build an 8x10 camera. I have most of the design ready but I have one problem. The moving and screwing parts. Bolts, nuts, knobs, focusing knob / thread, etc. Those you see in all view and field cameras...

I know most of the camera makers manufacture their own pieces, but I think there must be somewhere I can find similar or the same components for sale as units or bulk.

Does anybody know anything about this? Any help/advice?

Thanks a lot!!!!

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Depending on what you need I have an almost complete set of brass parts from a Korona or a Kodak 2D? It is all packaged up and if you are interested I can open it and photograph it. It was missing something but I can't remember what it was. It won't cost you much if you need it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Fitzgerald

Depending on what you need I have an almost complete set of brass parts from a Korona or a Kodak 2D? It is all packaged up and if you are interested I can open it and photograph it. It was missing something but I can't remember what it was. It won't cost you much if you need it.

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Hi Jim!

Thanks a lot for your feedback... can you send me the images?

By the way, I love your carbon printing work, your book looks awsome!!! I want to learn the carbon printing process, any advice??

Thanks a lot!!!!