Tool to pry tabs on Kodak bellows?

[donday]

Hi. I'm aware of at least one discussion in this forum about removing

bellows on Kodak cameras, but it involves tearing out the bellows to

get at the metal tabs holding in the back frame: <a

href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=009XKw">Replacing

No. 2 Autographic Brownie Bellows</a>.

<p>

I'm looking for a tool that would pry the tabs from the film side of

the camera body. This would allow restoration of an existing bellows,

such as for the VPK series which usually seem to be in bad shape.

<p>

Here's a photo of a paper model of a tool that I think would do the

job. The pencil-shaded edge represents the knife-edge that would wedge

the tab open as you lever the angled edge against the inside of the

frame. You would need a mirror opposite tool for reaching tabs in

both left and right corners easily. Does anything like this exist?

<p>

(I've already been stabbed by the can opener tool of my old Boy Scout

knife, which doesn't quite reach around the corner--don't try that at

home!)<div></div>

[john_shriver]

Well, all the failed Kodak bellows I've removed were so brittle as to have no hope of repair.

 

But, I think a tool with a hole that you looped over the end of the tab, and then rotated down, would be effective. A strap of steel, with a 1/4" tab bent (say) 30 degrees at one end, with a hole in the tab.

 

I'd also note that I think these tabs are good for one re-opening and closing. I've had one or two fail from metal fatigue. So if your bellows repair is not successful, you may not get another chance.

[donday]

An inspiring idea, John! The flattest workable steel that I had was a small screwdriver, so I revised the hole/slot idea with the thought of reaching over. With hammer, workshop vice/anvil, and mill rasp, I fashioned the following tool in about 15 minutes, and had the bellows out of the camera (mostly intact in back) within the next 5!

 

The edge will need to be hardened, and ideally the curve would be even tighter. I could not hook and pry directly, but had to catch the tabs under a corner of the tool and then pry against the side of the tool. I hope this experience report might lead to more inspiration and better tool ideas from others!<div></div>

[diwan_bhathal]

Don,

 

I removed the shot bellows from a Kodak Autographic model 3 yesterday. Let me tell you that the tabs were hard as nails to bend without distorting the aluminum frame in which they are. I fashioned myself a tool similar to yours and it worked.

 

IMHO, this is the best tool that can be fabricated for the job. I do not see any improvements that can be done.

 

The problem becomes if one of the tabs bends too much and distorts the frame, then... hmmm... patience and lots of it.

 

Thanks for the Engineering.

[jeff_g2]

<p>I took a piece of brass about 1/16th by 1/4in wide, and bent a hook on the end. I was able to get all the tabs on a 3a autographic in about 5 minutes without cutting the old bellows or breaking any tabs.</p>