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Thread: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Feb 2014
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    Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    Hi,

    I'm just about to get back into 8x10 with my Tachihara field and the original ground glass is starting to get on a bit. There are lots of references online but many of them seem dead - e.g. I e-mail Steve Hopf but got no response. I don't have the tools / space to make my own.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Victoria, Australia
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    68

    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    It's a pity you're not nearer. My delivery of grinding pastes is officially late but if/when it arrives (and after a bit of practice!) I'd have been happy to make you one for the cost of a sheet of glass.
    Unfortunately, the two things made of glass I've had mailed to me both arrived broken so I wouldn't trust the postal system no matter how carefully packaged.
    I also gave away an 8x10 ground glass a year or so ago - but it would be mean to mention your bad timing there, so I won't mention it

    I'll keep an eye on this thread and, if you haven't arranged one by the time I get my supplies and learn what I'm doing, perhaps we can organise a bush telegraph to transport one from town to town. (If it turns out that I do a rubbish job of it, it will only have cost you a little patience!)

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Apr 2006
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    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?


  4. #4
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Dec 2011
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    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    Very easy to make one on a coffee table while watching a single movie.

    I prefer my own and they are far cheaper.

    I use picture frame glass from an art or Home supply store which is both thin and thick enough. Locally the glass is $2 and exactly the right size for many 8X10 cameras.

    A lifetime supply of grit is $15 mail order.
    Tin Can

  5. #5
    Peter De Smidt's Avatar
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    Jan 2001
    Location
    Fond du Lac, WI, USA
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    8,954

    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    Randy's right. It just takes a bit of patience.
    “You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
    ― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    California
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    3,908

    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    Yes,make your own. The easiest method is to make2 at a time. Stone polishing grit comes in a variety of sizes. get a medium grit, sprinkle a little on one piece of glass. add a few drops of water. PLace the second piece on top and use a generally circular motion to move the top piece around. Check occasionally to be sure you are covering the whole plate, and in order to know when it is finished to your liking. You will have 2 nice pieces.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
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    North Dakota
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    1,327

    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    You can find glass suppliers who sandblast glass. Get the sizes you want and check with them to get it blasted just before they change the sand for a new batch. Makes very good ground glass. Best of all you can get a number of pieces done at one time for very low cost. Have seen these on 5x7 to 12x20 cameras.
    ” Never attribute to inspiration that which can be adequately explained by delusion”.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Aug 2017
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    Australia
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    184

    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    Quote Originally Posted by Molli View Post
    It's a pity you're not nearer. My delivery of grinding pastes is officially late but if/when it arrives (and after a bit of practice!) I'd have been happy to make you one for the cost of a sheet of glass.
    Unfortunately, the two things made of glass I've had mailed to me both arrived broken so I wouldn't trust the postal system no matter how carefully packaged.
    I also gave away an 8x10 ground glass a year or so ago - but it would be mean to mention your bad timing there, so I won't mention it

    I'll keep an eye on this thread and, if you haven't arranged one by the time I get my supplies and learn what I'm doing, perhaps we can organise a bush telegraph to transport one from town to town. (If it turns out that I do a rubbish job of it, it will only have cost you a little patience!)
    Hi Molli where did you get your magic grinding paste from? I need to make a 10x12 and a 14x17.

  9. #9
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Dec 2011
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    22,385

    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    Not a grit source but has good ideas for types

    http://www.dokasphotos.com/techniques/ground_glass/
    Tin Can

  10. #10
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Dec 2011
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    Re: Where does one get custom ground glass from these days?

    Took me a while to remember

    I buy from this guy https://www.willbell.com/ATMSupplies/ATM_Supplies.htm
    Tin Can

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