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Discpad · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:12 am Post subject: Big Bertha's Bellows

Yes, she needs a new pair of leather lungs:

Although until I get my hands on her to feel her up, I don't know about the forward set; but the rear set definitely needs replacing.

Searching around, I found Turner Bellows, [url=]Mark Kapono[/url], Western Bellows, Gortite A & A Mfg. Co., Universal Bellows, Flexible Products; and Ken Ruth at Bald Mountain.

Has anyone dealt with any of these outfits?

Thanks, from Bertha's new john

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disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

Dan, rather than have a set of bellows made, I would go looking for a used 4X5 bellows with the right dimensions. Bertha is not picky about the size; they are glued to large plates and you can get away with considerable variations in the size. Check with KEH and Midwest.

John

Discpad · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:51 am Post subject:

Dear John,

Thanks for the suggestion. Alas, her titties are 5x7, not 4x5, so the universe of used parts is smaller.

Besides, I may get them made up in red, or another color.

Discpad · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:13 am Post subject:

John, after getting a quote of $225 from Turner Bellows, your suggestion is looking better & better.

I'll be down one day next week to pick her up.

Discpad · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:17 am Post subject: Thread picked up...

By the way, my entry over in LargeFormatPhotography.info entitled Big Bertha's new john says Hello! has turned into a sort of blog on this project.

I can't wait to drag her up to the top of the grandstand at Martinsville!

Discpad · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject: Followup

Well, Bertha needs two sets of bellows after all: The front set which is compressed to 1-1/2 inches thick actually extends out to 8 inches as the lens carriage slides out.

Both the front and rear bellows are about equal in size and length; and fully compressed they still have an opening slightly over 5x5 inches.

Please see Big Bertha's New Home! over on LFPhoto.info for more pictures as I restore her to her former glory.

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

Call Jim at Midwest photo and ask if he has any used bellows; as I said earlier the right 4X5 bellows should work fine. Just ask for a square bellows with the approximate dimensions and you should be OK.

John

Discpad · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: The Bellows are back!

With my checking account $350 lighter, the two sets of bellows arrived back from Turner Bellows (Rochester, NY); and they did a nice job. New photos to follow...

Also, I've replaced all of the painted and plated screws with brass screws; and getting replated the brass-plated sheet copper and copper lens hold-down straps.

Still awaiting the return of the 5x7 Graflex Home Portrait from Ken Ruth. He's replacing the offset 4x5 reducing back with a true 5x7 back; and also making a new 4x5 reducing back with a centered Graflok back from a Graflex View Camera.