[LargeFormat] Patching bellows pinholes

[Edward Meyers]

There is a belows manufacturer in Freeport, Long Island,
New York. You send the frames and they build the
bellows. Try Google... Ed

On Wed, 10 Sep 2003, Richard Knoppow wrote:

>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Galway" <design@wizbot.net>
> To: <largeformat@f32.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 4:17 AM
> Subject: [LargeFormat] Patching bellows pinholes
>
>
>
>
> Took possession of an ebay-bought 8x10 Kodak Master this
> summer; the
> bellows has a few to several pinholes at the corners at full
> extension.
>
> My 5x7 Ansco had similar problems which I was advised to fix
> by using
> black neoprene cement on the outside, the stuff they use to
> repair
> wetsuits. It worked fairly well, but reapplication was
> necessary every
> so often depending on use, and time of year (it works not so
> well during
> the cold winter months of course).
>
> Are there any other tried and true patching methods? I'm
> throwing a
> darkcloth over the bellows, but until I can afford to
> replace them I'd
> like to have a fix on the bellows themselves.
>
> If/when worse comes to worse, are there any North American,
> preferably
> Canadian, bellows makers? Is the whole camera generally sent
> for repair,
> or do I do the installation myself?
>
> regards
> David Galway
> Twp. of Georgian Bay
> Canada
>
>   I've never found a sure fire method of patching bellows.
> Once they start developing pin-holes it will just get worse
> as the bellows are uses.
>   I am appending a list of bellows makers below.
>   Usually they do not need the whole camera but do need the
> old bellows and bellows frames 9part of the bellows). Most
> bellows are fairly easy to remove. I don't know how the
> Kodak Master is constructed but reprint repair manuals are
> available and advertised constantly on eBay.
>   Some comments on the list below.
>   English Bellows has had excellent reports. They are
> reasonably priced and are the only one who will make bellows
> of genuine leather if you wish.
>   I had a bellows made by Flexible Products of Florida. The
> service was fine but the workmanship left a lot to be
> desired. I will not use them again.
>   Turner Bellows reportedly makes excellent bellows by
> damaged a friend's camera recently in the process of
> replacing the bellows. If you can avoid it don't send the
> entire camera to anyone.
>   I have not seen the current Western Bellows product but
> saw several a few years ago and they were excellent.
>   Most modern bellows are made of synthetic material. It
> doesn't have the elegance of leather but is much longer
> lasting and needs no care.
>   Call first and discuss what materials they use and what
> exactly they want from you. Price for a typical 8x10 bellows
> is around $200 except for specials like Deardorf which may
> be more.
>
> Camera Bellows
> Unit 3-5
> St. Pauls Road
> Balsall Heath
> Birmingham
> B12 8NG
> http://www.camerabellows.com/
> Tel: +44 (0) 121 440 1695
> Fax  +44 (0) 121 440 0972
>
> Flexible Products Co.
> 14504 60th St. N.
> Clearwater, FL 33760
> (727) 536-3142
> (800) 551-3766
> Fax: (727) 535-1295
> http://www.flexproducts.com
> info@flexproducts.com
>
>
> Joe Merry
> Turner Bellows Inc.
> 526 Child Street
> Rochester NY, 14606
> (716) 235-4456 x202
> jmerry@turnerbellows.com
> http://www.turnerbellows.com
>
>
> Universal Bellows
> 25 Hanse Avenue
> Freeport, NY 11520
> tel. 516-378-1264
>
> Western Bellows Company
> 7454 Henbane Street
> Etiwanda, Ca. 91739
> email.  westernbellows@aol.com
> phone. 909 980-0606
> Contact Jim Ormond.
>
>
> ---
> Richard Knoppow
> Los Angeles, CA, USA
> dickburk@ix.netcom.com
>
>
>
>
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