The reason I used plywood, was to reduce the number of joints I had to make. Take a frame, for example. When made from regular wood, you have to cut four pieces exactly, and make four joints, which must be reinforced. Not extremely complicated, but it takes a few tools, and some skill. To make the frame from plywood, you simply have to cut a square hole in the middle of a sheet. The end result is much stronger, and simpler to make.
Although some glue joints are unavoidable, the number is drastically reduced. Where a joint was required on my camera, I reinforced with it with metal corner brackets. In some cases, where couldn't have the metal sticking up above the wood, I used a dremel tool to recess it. Not beautiful, but it worked. The only complaint that I have, is that the camera turned out much heavier than if I had used regular wood. I made an 8x10, and think that the smaller the format, the more difficult making a plywood camera would be. http://www.btinternet.com/%7Ejrbham/6X6/ is a 6x6 rollfilm view camera made from plywood, so it is definitly possible. John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2002 7:49 AM Subject: Re: [Cameramakers] Thinking about building my first trial camera > Nick, as a furniture maker and a builder of a 4x5 folding field camera I > feel you'll be disappointed w/ plywood. With all the difficult cuts your > going to be making, ply will spinter and tear and look terrible, will be > hard to sand out so it looks good and when you stain it, ugg. If your going > to take the time and it will be a long process the first time around go with > solid wood such as cherry, mahagany, even alder. Good luck > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Nick Zentena" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 12:03 PM > Subject: Re: [Cameramakers] Thinking about building my first trial camera > > > > > > > > I was thinking about either 1/4" or 3mil plywood. I guess 3mil is 1/8". > I > > can get what they call airplane plywood for a reasonable price. 24"x24" > is > > $13Cdn for the 3ply. It's outdoor rated. It's not certified for airplane > use > > but I can live with that. Shouldn't it be lighter for the same amount of > > strength? > > > > Thanks > > Nick > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Cameramakers mailing list > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > http://rmp.opusis.com/mailman/listinfo/cameramakers > > _______________________________________________ > Cameramakers mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://rmp.opusis.com/mailman/listinfo/cameramakers _______________________________________________ Cameramakers mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://rmp.opusis.com/mailman/listinfo/cameramakers
