Topic: I'm pretty proud of my handywork!

[Francois]

Yep, I'm pretty proud of what I made last night!
For the last few years (OK, I'm dragging my feet on this one), I've been working to restore an incomplete Burke & James 4x5 view cameras. What was mainly stopping me was that the bellows were totally shot. Getting new ones made cost an arm and a leg. So, last night, I decided to fold my own. I didn't expect it to be so physically intensive to fold. Really patience testing work too. I was a bit crushed when I noticed my measurements were not exact enough but still, I managed to pull it through.

So, this is the fruit of a few hours of labor, some black Bristol and hockey tape for the corners.

Bob the Builder was right: Can we build it, yes we can

[Chris A Fraser]

We Canadians know that hockey tape is good for more than just the bottom of your stick.

Nice work on the bellows.

[Mojave]

Amazing Francois! So if I need some bellows for my Crown at any time, I can come to you? 

[Blaxton]

Brilliant, Francois.  Care to share some details--materials, technique, pattern, etc and did you line it with cloth?

[astrobeck]

Rightfully  proud!

That is impressive, and more than I would ever tackle.

I imagine it would have helped if you had more than two hands at times??

It looks complex, and quite the origami project. 

[Francois]

Actually, it's not as hard as I expected... at least, not in the ways I expected.
The marking and scoring of the cardboard is tedious... and I did a shoddy job at it
The cutting and taping are the fun part...
But the folding requires patience, strong wrists, thumbs and shoulders.
You start one side folded in, rotate 90°, fold out, and repeat. But the cardstock gives you a battle every time you turn. What makes it hard is you have to pinch the folds 2 at a time, but you can only make a single corner at a time... hard to explain until you try it.

Lets just say at the end, my shoulder and both thumbs and wrists were pretty sore.

As for the hockey tape, it's much better stuff than I remembered

[Diane Peterson]

I am overwelmed just reading your explanation..so I am truly IMPRESSED!

[LT]

 ... and so you should be.  Nice effort! I've often wanted to have a go at this, but it looks like far too much technical and hard work.

[Phil Bebbington]

Total respect, François. I felt dizzy just looking at it!

[Jeff Warden]

Excellent.  Well done!

[sapata]

Very well done Francois... I'm sure some orders will start coming through.

[Skorj]

Glorious! Another machine lives...

[Roger Thoms]

Good job, think that I need to learn how to make bellows too. Just acquired yet another another wood 5x7 that needs bellows. Thanks for posting as I need lots of inspiration.

Roger

[Francois]

I actually found the how to guide on instructables.com
A mandatory stop for anyone who wants to tinker...

[Alan]

good work francois!

you might check this out . . .

http://www.photographyireland.net/arca-irish-8x10-t25732.html

[Francois]

He's essentially used the other way of making them. The big advantage of this technique is that it makes bellows that fold tighter than mine... they're also a lot more flexible. With mine, I don't think I'll be getting a lot of tilt and shift when focused at infinity... I'll have to see.

[Alan]

cool, thought it might help you or give you tips.