Finis…….

The replacement compression springs arrived from China, the only issue is that they are simply cut from longer lengths of springs, meaning that the finish is crap, there are sharp edges & the springs will not sit flat, usually compression springs are flattened or ground to ensure that the top & bottom of the spring is level. So out came the hand file initially, but ultimately as I had a few to do I fired up the angle grinder.

Having restored a few of the RRB easels, I will be offering a few for sale, I will be keeping the 12×10 & one 12×16, but the rest will ultimately be sold, interested drop me a message.

Next Project

Kodak Specialist 3 5×4 Monorail Camera

Next job is to restore the Kodak 5×4 Camera that is a little tired, needs a few replacement thumbnuts and grub screws, most importantly it needs a new rack & gear for the rising front mechanism. I have started the strip down, removed the front uprights from the camera and started the hunt for the problem.

RR Beard Masking Frames

RR Beard 12×10 in dire need of restoration.

I have a number of RR Beard or Beard/Photon masking frames/easels whatever you prefer to call them that I have kind of inherited, they all came with other purchases, either for free or next to nothing. One, a 12×16 was actually mint, with the exception of an incorrect knob, that was so obviously out of place that I had to replace it, in fact I replaced both so that they would match. However that is not as simple as it seems, the knobs screw into a bit of machined polyurethane (sliders) which has an imperial thread. So I had a friend knock up some metric replacements and that Beard is now ready for use in my darkroom.

The second RRB cost me £10, to be honest it was in a pretty awful state, rusty, bent & in dire need of a full restoration, so the first job was to strip it down & find out just how bad it was. As you can see in the first photograph it was awful. The worst of the rust was on the frame, and all of the screws, washers and finishers were either rusty or missing.