Restoring the Crown Graphic! (In bits again..)

Liam

Liam

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Hi,
Well I have had my large format crown graphic for about a month now, I got it from the US for about £100 off ebay.com. Today I decided that I was going to strip it down/clean and maybe take the leather off and give the wood a varnish but I haven't decided yet. It looks ok from a distance but inside she is a bit dirty and tbh I just want something to do.

Here are the images..

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As you can see the "Honduras mahogany" looks like it might be in really good shape, so I think I might have to pull the leather off and give it some love.
I will update during the day as I want to get it finished by the end of the week.
 
A bit of an update:


The leather seems to be sticking to wood more than I hoped so Its going to involve some sanding but the wood looks in good shape.

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I have removed the leather from the front / sanded it down and have applied some black "hammered" paint. It looks good in the flesh as it almost matches what the leather looks like.

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Excellent project. Looking forward to seeing the finished item.

Andy
 
Thanks, I am more of a metal guy so I am just making it up as I go but no major problems, yet. I just gave the wood a quick sand and man does it look nice!!!

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Interesting work, liam, keep the updates coming please.
Dave
 
Sweet thread - I love checking out projects like this.

Guaranteed you'll have a few nuts and bolts left over afterward and be wondering where they're meant to go - well, that always happens to me! :)
 
Morning all,
I was up early and I have now sanded the body and its looking quite good, I am going to tape it up and apply the first coat of varnish now...

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Oo - that's gonna look so sweet with varnish... :thumbs:
 
Looks like you will have the only wood and paint finish Crown Graphic ever.
Did you manage to get the right rangefinder cam for the lens.
 
Cheers guys I am really enjoying it at the moment, but sadly a few people have done it before but it will still be rare especially in the UK.

I have the correct rangefinder but I am not sure if I am going to put it back on as I don't really like using it to be honest and I am going for a lightweight camera that I can take everywhere :D
 
Ok, I also painted the shutter button mechanism which is seriously over engineered but here is a quick preview of what it looks like..

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And the first coat of varnish is on!! I just have to wait 8 hours now :(

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This is really nice. I love restoring things :clap:
 
Nice, rub down with wire wool between coats?
 
A great little project, can't wait for the final results.

BUT.... tut tut to the product placement in the last photo :lol: this after mentioning "Hammered Finish" instead of hammerite :D :lol:
 
Ambermile said:
Nice, rub down with wire wool between coats?
Click to expand...

Cheers, I have some 600 grit that I will probably use.

AndrewA123 said:
A great little project, can't wait for the final results.

BUT.... tut tut to the product placement in the last photo :lol: this after mentioning "Hammered Finish" instead of hammerite :D :lol:
Click to expand...

Haha, well you got me :D

Its whatever I can find in the garage at the moment, I am currently polishing the copper bolts. I think the perfectionist in me is coming out :geek:
 
Liam said:
Its whatever I can find in the garage at the moment, I am currently polishing the copper bolts. I think the perfectionist in me is coming out :geek:
Click to expand...

Its a downward spiral after that, I restored a trusty Mountain bike last year to a polished finish. Wish I'd left it as it was, this polishing lark is no fun :lol:
 
Liam said:
Its whatever I can find in the garage at the moment, I am currently polishing the copper bolts. I think the perfectionist in me is coming out :geek:
Click to expand...


If you don't do it now you'll regret it later on!
 
Liam said:
Its whatever I can find in the garage at the moment, I am currently polishing the copper bolts. I think the perfectionist in me is coming out :geek:
Click to expand...

Whatever is'nt painted or plated must be at least polished. :lol:
 
Update:

The wooden body has had 3 coats of varnish, I will probably give it another 2 before I re-assemble.

I decided to also paint the film holder as it was very scratched, here it is before..

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And after :D You can also see the fully finished drop bead which I am now going to reassemble.

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This really is looking great. I love stuff like this. I am starting a bit of a collection but nothing that old yet. Can't wait to see it finished.
 
Cheers Darren.

Ok the drop bead is now completely finished and I am really chuffed with it as it looks soooo much better than the leather...

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And everything together, I think it won't be complete until monday as I am busy this weekend but not bad for 2/3 days work.

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Looks great, I'd be very pleased with myself looking at that.
 
I did this to a 1/4 plate field camera I inherited from an aunt some years ago. Got a replacement ground glass screen from Kirkdale Cameras in London - sadly an estate agent now! Great sense of satisfaction once reassembled.
Let's see the finished product when it's done eh?
 
Thanks guys, its impossible to find replacement ground glass so I ground my own instead :D
 
Ok, she is now complete, I think I might have to take her out this afternoon...

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Looks like a good job well done there Liam
 
looks great, the wood has come out really well (always a worry when stripping vinyl off something like that, you never know quite what lies beneath)
 
Lovely job... it is a very early one.

I use to have one of the last crown graphic specials with Kalrat rangefinder That projected a range finder light image. and had a rim cocked shutter.1/1000 sec and an international back. I only used it hand held. the view finder also had parallax compensation. I used a MPP monorail for tripod work.
 
Thanks guys, Terry it does have a rangefinder but I don't use it and I want a light weight field camera I can easily carry around.

I would love to know how old it is but I can't work out how as there isn't a number on the guide rail :thinking:
 
Excellent job there Liam - truly excellent, better than original I reckon :thumbs:
 
That looks fantastic, really very well done job :thumbs:

You must be well chuffed
 
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