Unsticking bellows

[Muggins]

I'm currently sorting through a small collection of cameras formerly owned by a friend's father. Amongst them is an art-deco Kodak Six-20. The external condition is very, very good indeed, but the bellows have stuck together and will not open fully.

What, please, is the best way to unstick these so it will open fully without doing any more damage than time has already done.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I'm currently sorting through a small collection of cameras formerly owned by a friend's father. Amongst them is an art-deco Kodak Six-20. The external condition is very, very good indeed, but the bellows have stuck together and will not open fully.

What, please, is the best way to unstick these so it will open fully without doing any more damage than time has already done.

No experience here, but a suggestion that would not do any additional damage would be to heat the bellows very gently with a hair dryer. But I'm guessing that, once unstuck by whatever means, there will be gaps in the coating which will make for light leaks. Best of luck!

 

[Muggins]

Thanks! I was thinking warming them too, so that's two votes thus far.

At a very casual inspection I can see at least one sizeable hole at the front, so I think this will be a case of open for display rather than use unless or until I can afford a set of replacement bellows. Pity, as it's a gorgeous little thing, but if the bellows are like lingerie...

 

[KoNickon]

A little steam? By which I mean hold the camera at a safe distance over a pot of boiling water? Enough to loosen things but not enough to wet it?

Feel free to ignore. 🙂

 

[WoodallP]

Maybe try moistening a corner with something like IPA (not the beer) or contact cleaner. This is just a guess however; as an Agfa user I just tend to rip them out with brutality as they usually merit it.

As for replacements, the usual suspects, Sandeha Lynch or Custom Bellows from Birmingham (they are still going I think).

I used to have some six-20 new old stock bellows but I gave them away (or possibly used them on Agfa 6x9s).

 

[WoodallP]

Maybe try moistening a corner with something like IPA (not the beer) or contact cleaner. This is just a guess however; as an Agfa user I just tend to rip them out with brutality as they usually merit it.

As for replacements, the usual suspects, Sandeha Lynch or Custom Bellows from Birmingham (they are still going I think).

I used to have some six-20 new old stock bellows but I gave them away (or possibly used them on Agfa 6x9s).

Replying to myself but maybe something for moistening skin may be better. I once had a product for restoring bellows and it smelt a bit like hand cream.

 

[SandehaLynch]

I'm currently sorting through a small collection of cameras formerly owned by a friend's father. Amongst them is an art-deco Kodak Six-20. The external condition is very, very good indeed, but the bellows have stuck together and will not open fully.

What, please, is the best way to unstick these so it will open fully without doing any more damage than time has already done.

Since it's a Kodak I'd suggest there's a very good chance that the lightproof coatings on the bellows will have decayed, and if you can pull them apart you might find that they are little better than cheesecloth. But you could try with something like a very old and thin butter-knife (they are purposefully not sharp or pointy) lubricated with a little black liquid shoepolish.

I don't make these but www.Custombellows.co.uk might have replacements.

 

[Muggins]

Ah, hello Sandeha! I did contact you about those - you are quite right about the state of the bellows (I prefer lingerie as an analogy, but that may just be my sick mind). Once I have a job again, and time spare to strip out the old ones for a pattern, I will be back onto custom bellows who will supply a set.

 

[WoodallP]

Since it's a Kodak I'd suggest there's a very good chance that the lightproof coatings on the bellows will have decayed, and if you can pull them apart you might find that they are little better than cheesecloth. But you could try with something like a very old and thin butter-knife (they are purposefully not sharp or pointy) lubricated with a little black liquid shoepolish.

I don't make these but www.Custombellows.co.uk might have replacements.

Good to see THE expert joining in 😊 Welcome Sandeha!