SX-70 Adventures

Well that was a bit dusty! Just removed the original skin from the Ivory SX-70 and, as I'd read luckily, the brown rubbery/leathery covering flaked into dust. I heated the pieces up first with a hairdryer which made the glue easier to pull which meant I could remove each piece almost in one which reduced some of the mess. Cleaned it up afterwards with lighter fluid and it's nice and shiny clean now :0)

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I found out that my veneer has been sent to a random business address that the seller even has no idea where it came from! I'm now waiting on a replacement being sent out.

I took measurements of the door latch earlier for a future 3d print but then went to fit it in the chrome body and my Torx4 bit has managed to round off, leaving my last screw in place even though I removed all of the screws the other night to remove the old latch so I'll have to wait until I get a new bit (never buy torx sets from Aldi, they're made out of cheese...)

Anyway, that's my update for today :0)

Cheers
Steve
 
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Seeing as I can't swap the latch, I decided to work on the viewfinder shutters. I'd managed to get them nearly straight while still in place but wasn't happy with them and still needed to re-paint them. After a bit of fiddling with the housing, I figured out how to disconnect them from the viewfinder and sanded them back to metal before adding 3 thin coats of smooth black enamel.

The paint's currently drying but they're already looking much better. They also open/close much more smoothly now after their clips were adjusted. I'm getting quite attached to this camera now (although I'm still not keeping it...not worth the divorce!)

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Sorry if these are getting boring for anyone. I quite enjoy documenting the process as much as actually refurbishing the camera :0)

Cheers
Steve
 
stevelmx5 said:
Seeing as I can't swap the latch, I decided to work on the viewfinder shutters. I'd managed to get them nearly straight while still in place but wasn't happy with them and still needed to re-paint them. After a bit of fiddling with the housing, I figured out how to disconnect them from the viewfinder and sanded them back to metal before adding 3 thin coats of smooth black enamel.

The paint's currently drying but they're already looking much better. They also open/close much more smoothly now after their clips were adjusted. I'm getting quite attached to this camera now (although I'm still not keeping it...not worth the divorce!)

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Sorry if these are getting boring for anyone. I quite enjoy documenting the process as much as actually refurbishing the camera :0)

Cheers
Steve
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Keep it up Steve, I really enjoy your projects. They're the sort of thing I'd do if i had the skills and wasn't such a lazy arse :D
 
Lol, thanks for the encouragement Nick ;0)

Well, I managed to remember how to reassemble the viewfinder and it's looking much happier than it did when I first got it;

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Also just been advised that my veneer should arrive tomorrow so I'll start on the Ivory Model 2.
 
I forgot to say, depending on how I find the Wenge veneer, I might be tempted to re-skin another camera I've got here....anyone fancy a wood skinned Olympus 35RC :0)

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That's not mine, just one I found using Google-fu. Not sure it works but I'll see when the veneer arrives.
 
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Also, if anyone else ever needs to repair an SX-70, I came across this very comprehensive manual on Scribd earlier. You can either read it online for free or download it (using either the paid method or by uploading your own document in return for free) but it seems to cover anything and everything to do with repairs/alignment;

http://www.scribd.com/doc/51423125/SX-70-Repair-Manual

Cheers
Steve
 
There are the first three pieces cut :0)

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I've now got the delicate job of sanding them to shape. I'm not sure about a wax/varnish yet. I quite like the bare wood but not convinced it would be as hard wearing.
 
lol, I'm keeping the camera within its' time period ;0)

In reality, the veneer is much darker and actually looks brown instead of orange. I'll take some shots with my proper camera later.
 
Well that was a long afternoon. If anyone here does marquetry for fun, they must be mad..

I certainly like to set myself a challenge, I'd have had both cameras skinned by now if I used a pre-cut vinyl skin!

Finished skin after lots of cuts/sanding and Dremel work

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All pieces dry laid on the camera to check for final fit

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Egyptian edition SX-70 after glue and mummification :0)

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Now I just need to wait for it to dry and see how it looks. I re-made the main top body piece after I wasn't happy with the first one so I tried the 'test' piece out on the Ivory Model 2. I'm not 100% sure it works. Any thoughts?

Cheers
Steve
 
Fantastic, it really looks brilliant.
 
Fantastic work Steve, the wood veneer works really well on the chrome version but I think the black works better on the Ivory.
 
Thanks guys. There were a few times yesterday when I was shaping the veneer that I really wished I hadn't started it but I'm glad I did in the end.

I agree about the veneer working better with the chrome than the Ivory too. I've got a skin template so I'll print that out and pick up some black leather.
 
I agree with the opinions above, in part. The wood and chrome looks magnificent, really is a work of art and well done on pulling it off!

The test piece on the ivory doesn't work and black leather makes the ivory camera look cheap IMO. I think a rich brown or deep burgundy leather would set off the ivory better.
 
Thanks Strappy, I really appreciate your thoughts and am glad you like the chrome model 1 :0)

I've looked at a few more Ivory bodies on Flickr and do now agree about the black skin not looking the best. I'm on the look out for a nice deep brown skin so might go with an Aki Asahi leather skin instead of a vinyl sticker.
 
Ok, my job today is to clean up a few glue blobs and apply a couple of clear matt varnish coats to finish it off.

I'll be listing it on here once it's dry and I've taken some better pictures to make space for my next two projects;

- Ivory Model 2, burgundy or dark brown leather skin

- Olympus 35RC, clean some spiderweb fungus off the rear element then another Wenge wood veneer (I'm a glutton for punishment!)

Cheers
Steve
 
Hi Steve

I've been following this thread with interest. I'm a huge SX70 fan (also live my 195) and I've toyed with re-covering mine many times.

I really love these 'project' type threads and it's been great following this through.

Cheers!
 
Hi Chris,

Thanks for the post, I'm glad you've enjoyed the thread as much as I've enjoyed restoring the camera. I've realised why Polaroid kit is so popular having actually held the SX-70's and having seen your results I can see that the cameras can actually deliver great shots.

I've just done the first coat of matt varnish and am waiting for it to go off so I can add the second. The grain and colour is really coming out now :0)

Cheers
Steve
 
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All skin sections have now had two coats, lightly sanded in between and the colour of the veneer is really settled in now.

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I'll let it dry fully overnight before I clean up the chrome and touch in a couple of spots on the viewfinder shutters then I think I'm all done :0)

Before I move on to the Ivory Model 2, I've just stripped the lens of the Olympus 35RC I bought with some spiderweb fungus on the rear element . I've documented the strip down in case it's of use to anyone else and was able to clear all of the fungus as it was only on the surface and left no lasting marks at all so I'm made up. Now I need to decide if I'm going to leave it standard black or give it a veneer....

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I think a new project thread is about to start!

Cheers
Steve
 
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simon ess said:
Looks beautiful Steve.
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Thanks Simon, I really appreciate that. I've got pretty attached to it after working on it and design/colours are very personal tastes so it's nice to know other people like it too.

Cheers
Steve
 
That's a very nice job Steve the SX-70 looks fantastic but I hope the light-frame isn't sitting discarded, unloved and forgotten in a corner somewhere :(
 
Thanks Nick and don't worry, the light frame is still here ready to be finished off.

However, after using a couple of different LiPo packs/charge circuits I've decided to keep it simple like a few people suggested and am fitting it with AAA power instead. Whilst the lipo's could offer USB charging quite simply, I think the use of standard AAAs will be the better option.

I'm waiting to pick up a new slim battery box then I'll update its build thread.

Cheers
Steve
 
I've just listed this in the classifieds. Sorry Mods if this cross-advertising isn't allowed. Let me know if it is and I'll remove this post.

Thanks for everyone's interest in my build thread.

Cheers
Steve
 
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And I'm actually a bit sad to say that Chris (Ped) has just agreed to buy this so I'll be posting it off for a new life tomorrow. Hope you enjoy it Chris, I'm sure it will serve you well.

Cheers
Steve
 
stevelmx5 said:
And I'm actually a bit sad to say that Chris (Ped) has just agreed to buy this so I'll be posting it off for a new life tomorrow. Hope you enjoy it Chris, I'm sure it will serve you well.

Cheers
Steve
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Great to see it going to a home where it will be used and not as an ornament, look forward to seeing the results.
 
I'm looking at suitable material for the Ivory model 2 and am thinking a dark grey or brown alcantara.

I used light blue alcantara on the custom dashboard of one of the minis I built when I was younger and it's an excellent material to work with.

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I was originally planning on a flat skin but am tempted to add a cross-hatch stitching with thin padding to make it more cushioned. I haven't decided but am testing out a few options
 
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