field camera bellows

[Gene Gustafson]

Can anyone reccommend a glue for replacing bellows on a wooden field camera?

 

[benhasajeep52 50]

I would think an epoxy would be the best. Most new or newer bellows are a man made plastic type material. To get good adhesion to the bellows and wood, expoxy is probably the best bet. Obviously the frame is wood. Need to identify the bellows material. And check which glue may work with each. Epoxy sticks to about anything though.

 

[table1349]

Actually instead of epoxy you should find a good contact adhesive made for the materials you are using. Contact adhesives are made for and used in these types of application as they, unlike most other adhesives, including epoxy, need set up time that often requires some sort of outside assistance to insure proper adhesion without parts moving around on one another. Properly prepared surfaces with contact adhesives will instantly bond without the need for prolonged setup time. One tip however, practice getting the two surfaces to meet up together before you move on to applying the adhesive. You need to have the process of marrying the two together down so there are no issues when you are actually ready to bond them together.

 

[Gene Gustafson]

Thanks for that tip, a contact adhesive sounds like the sensible way to go.