I am ordering new bellows for my Deardorff SC11 Studio 11x14 camera. I have 2 original and worn out bellows. Last night I took them out of the frames. The bellows maker wants the frames for correct sizing and to install them. My 4 original frames seem usable, but I may as well buy 3 bellows if I am getting 2. Better price! This thing can take 3 bellows to give 75" of draw.
So I need to make 2 more frames and 24 nailing strips for nailing the bellows to the frames. The existing nailing strips are not savable, too many nails.
I removed 100's of nails last night from the 4 existing frames, very carefully and now my hands have locked up.
The existing frames and nailing strips are a soft wood, maybe pine. I can buy modeling wood in my exact sizes, but which wood? Frames are 5/16" x 7/8" or 8 mm x 22 mm and 18" square.
Here is a link to the only seller I found. It is beyond my skill set to cut wood to these dimensions. I will have enough trouble making the frames with lap joints.
Choices are Bass, Poplar, Cedar and Mahogany. Since this wood will be dyed matte black, appearance is not a criterion. Strength, and nailing ease, without cracking is paramount.
https://www.magnumwood.com/cart/Prod...ProductId=2346
Flatness of the this wood is unknown, but maybe I get lucky, one side of the bellows set, screws to one standard, forcing it flat, the other end is held top and bottom to the second standard.
I know I could cut this wood on a table saw, but I don't have one and I couldn't use one inside my studio if I did. DUST is EVIL.
So $60 for twigs delivered is Ok, in the grand scheme of my world. Shipping the twigs and frames will be much more!
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