Topic: What would be best to use to make a darkslide?

[This-is-damion]

Ive landed an uber-cheap Pola 550 back.      Part of the reason its so cheap is that it has no darkslide....so I neeed to make my own.

Anyone done this?  Im just wondering what material would be best?

[Francois]

The darkslide from a regular 4x5 back?
I know you can get a graflex filmpack adapter for dirt cheap. These things can't be used anymore since the film for them is not produced these days (and will never be). So junking them and keeping the slide won't break any hearts.
The only thing with them is you'll have to cut them down lengthwise to fit the Pola Back.
The original from Polaroid was made from a dense plastic laminate while regular darkslides are mostly aluminum.

You could probably use either aluminum siding or countertop formica... they're both rigid and can be quite thin (though the formica will be thicker than the original so trying it out with a free sample first might be worth it)

As for the dimensions, mine is 86 1/2 mm wide by 160mm long. The last 20 mm is painted red to warn the user that removing it any further is not necessary.

Hope this helps...

[This-is-damion]

Massively helpful!

Many thanks

[Francois]

No problem Damion. If you need the thickness of the darkslide, I can get my dad to precisely measure it.

[beck]

What about using a cold clip? Perhaps a bit small for the 55o. Not sure...and probably a tad thicker too.

[Ed Wenn]

I think a standard Land Cam cold clip will indeed be a bit small for the 550, but it's a good thought.

D: I can measure my 550 darkslide if you need me to.

[Francois]

I forgot to say I have no idea that model back I have... it came with the camera in a bin of miscellaneous junk (that's what the previous owner called it )

[This-is-damion]

Thanks all.

I think I have found a very cheap workaround, although not too sure how light tight it is.

I got an old plastic document wallet,   cut it down to a strip , seems to be just the right thickness.

[Francois]

If you can't see through it, it's probably good.
I know some commercial acco-press folders are a very thick and rigid cardboard. These might very well do the trick.