Barnack Film Trimmer - Ablon

[Graham.W]

Hi All

I've not long had my Barnack Leicas - and after seeing the horrific prices that genuine ABLON film trimming tools go for, I thought I would share these with you as an idea. (sorry if this is off topic or has already been suggested)

I've had these 2 units 3D printed (3 parts in total) using open source .STL files I found online - total cost of what you see here is £2.79 - plus shipping etc..

I used an old guitar string as the metal pin in the hinge.

They work really well - the hinged one is easier to use IMHO. If you are a collector then OK, I understand the originality of the Leica unit but for day to day use I'm sticking with these !

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Hi All

I've not long had my Barnack Leicas - and after seeing the horrific prices that genuine ABLON film trimming tools go for, I thought I would share these with you as an idea. (sorry if this is off topic or has already been suggested)

I've had these 2 units 3D printed (3 parts in total) using open source .STL files I found online - total cost of what you see here is £2.79 - plus shipping etc..

I used an old guitar string as the metal pin in the hinge.

They work really well - the hinged one is easier to use IMHO. If you are a collector then OK, I understand the originality of the Leica unit but for day to day use I'm sticking with these !

Looks good. You could go into business at £5 and make a tidy profit. People who use Barnacks have become used to doing without, however, just using a rusty knife or their broken teeth to gnaw off the excess in a serviceable way, as someone is sure to point out. It’s a source of pride.

Nice job, though.

 

[hap]

That's a nicely executed cutting guide. I kind of wished I had one in the "beginning" to get the hang more quickly as to what I needed to do. Eventually, I used scissors and trial and mostly error. Finally, figured that tearing the film by hand worked just fine , if careful.

I think it's part of the barnack "mystique"

 

[laurentb]

Hi, I'm using the hinged one ( I printed 3, the latent is looking much better but all work great). 3D printing is really a great thing for such gadgets

 

[newst]

All nice, but I found it not that difficult to trim the leader by hand with a sharp pair of scissors. It doesn't really have to be that precise. It might look prettier but once the film is in the camera who will ever know?

 

[MJ Buckpitt]

Nice job, was it a wired G, A, D or E?