Tripod thread on whole plate camera

Asha

Asha

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Asha
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Hi Guys,

I am trying to figure the thread of the tripod fitting of a Marion whole plate tailboard camera which dates somewhere between 1867 and 1901.

Standard 1/4 is too small and 3/8 is too large......I'm thinking it could possibly be whitworth thread/size which, sadly I no longer have access to.

Any ideas anyone?......
 
Your location could make finding someone with a large selection of WW bolts (to see if any fit!) a bit awkward. If you can find the pitch of the thread and the diameter of the clearance hole between the thread peaks (and maybe the thread angles?), I might be able to find out what thread it is (an uncle is a toolmaker of many years as well as a keen home engineer).

Most modern cameras (as I'm sure you know) use 1/4" Whit threads but older (and larger) ones may use the 3/8" WW threads (as now still common atop tripod legs for head attachment).
 
I don't know how I will measure the diameter of the clearance hole without suitable tools to be honest although the fact that 1/4 is too small and 3/8 won't enter indicates possibly 5/16 although that does sound kind of strange.....did/does such a size even exist?!!

On the other hand i can't honestly see it being a metric size not least of all because Marion was a UK company based in London at the latter half of the 19th century.

As you say it could prove quite a challenge.

I doubt that a photo of the thread will help ....or will it ??
 
Asha said:
Hi Guys,

I am trying to figure the thread of the tripod fitting of a Marion whole plate tailboard camera which dates somewhere between 1867 and 1901.

Standard 1/4 is too small and 3/8 is too large......I'm thinking it could possibly be whitworth thread/size which, sadly I no longer have access to.

Any ideas anyone?......
Click to expand...

Hi Asha
If it is 5/16 it may be worth trying 8mm as these are almost identical I have mixed the two successfully in the past, it depends on the wear on the existing thread needless to say be carefull.
Regards Bob :)
 
old bloke said:
Hi Asha
If it is 5/16 it may be worth trying 8mm as these are almost identical I have mixed the two successfully in the past, it depends on the wear on the existing thread needless to say be carefull.
Regards Bob :)
Click to expand...

kendo1 said:
The standard threads back then were 1/4" 20 BSW for small cameras and 3/8" 16 BSW for larger cameras.
http://www.rcfboltnut.co.uk/product-range.php may be able to help source a suitable bolt/adapter.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help guys.....I'll look further into both options and psot on here when I (hopefully) come up with a solution.
 
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