help making some lensboards - SF bay area

[kaiyen]

Hi all,
I know that making lensboards isn't _that_ hard, but I don't have the tools to make them for my B&J 5x7. Is there anyone in the SF bay area that can help me out? Maybe someone can point me to a good resource?

danke,
allan

[Michael Roberts]

Allan,
what size (hxw) and diameter hole cut do you need?

[sidmac]

I accually had my plummber do one for me no charge. Of course I was paying him plenty for the other work he did.

[BradS]

I used to make "temporary" lens boards for the B&J out of ordinary corregated cardboard. I used to do this as a quick and dirty way to check out various lenses...with care they last quite a while.

Hard board works quite well too...cut two pieces - one for the top and one for the bottom, cut the circular holes in the center and glue them together.

[Petzval Paul]

Black foam-core works well. I use elmer's glue to toughen up the edges and they last a long time and hold a surprising amount of weight.

[neil poulsen]

I've had good luck with "hobby" plywood. (Found in hobby stores.) It tends not to be warped, it's smooth, and it can be purchased in different thicknesses. 1/8th inch works well for Deardorff boards. It can also be stained and finished.

[mandoman7]

I've been making a few for my 8x10 Deardorff lately. Its 3/8" plywood, and I get the wood from an internet place called Horizon Hobby.

Basically 3 cuts are needed.
A good chopsaw will get you the basic shape, 6"x6" for me. I do several to allow for mistakes later
Then I have a router mounted in a table to cut the groove, or ledge, which is half the size of thickness (3/16" for me), around the perimeter. Its good to have a working board to compare with for this step.
Then I use a friend's drill press that has an inexpensive hole cutting bit that can be adjusted for different diameters. Then sandpaper for rounding the corners and making a better fit.
Most guys with a woodshop could do these easily, if you don't have access to the tools.

[Roger Thoms]

Allan,

I live in San Mateo and have made lens boards for myself and a few other forum members. I use bamboo plywood, it's strong, light, and the product is very consistent in thickness. I have attached two photos of a 4"x4" Wisner board that I made so you could see what they look like.

Take a look and if your interested PM me.

Roger Thoms

[EdWorkman]

You can cut 1/8 plywood with a sharp knife and a straightedge
Make the light baffle layer with 1/8x1/4 basswood, cut with a knife or razor saw by Xacto or Midwest. The hole can be hacked with a knife and smoothed with sandpaper, or drill a series of holes around the lens opening and carve/sand to final ID etc.
I have made boards and adapter boards this way. I have cut the rough opening with a brace and expandable bit as well. Now i have power tools, but getting good fit still requires hand work. If you only need one or two boards, an investment in power tools won't pay for your time saved

[Michael Cienfuegos]

I have made lensboards for my old Speed Graphics with 1/4 inch birch plywood which I purchased at the hobby shop. I used my neighbor's table saw to cut the pieces to 4 x 4 inches, then adjusted the blade so that I could cut a 1/8 inch rabbett around the perimeter of the board. I used a hole saw and a drill press to cut the hole for the lens. Some fine sanding was all that was necessary to finish the board. I then painted it with flat black to match the camera. Works great, cost only a few bucks.