MAKING A STUDIO CAMERA.
To make a studio camera to take I2-in. by 10-in. plates use mahogany s in. thick. First construct the baseboard, Fig. 52, of the size shown in the illustration, by tonguing together. Then make two strips E and F (Fig. 53) 16 in. by in. by in., and glue and screw these in the spaces A and (Fig. 52). They will then be in. apart, and extend 2 in. from the edges, and stand up in. A strip I in. by 16 in. is next strongly attached, as in Fig. 53, with a in. slot for a clamping rod running from about 2 in. or 3 in. from each end. A similar slotted rail is then made to come over c and D (Fig. 52). Next form the ex endless screw actuated by turning, a handle at the back, the latter arrangement being the most accessible and convenient. The slides are single, and are filled by opening a hinged door at the back. They should be provided with a set of carriers for tak ing smaller sizes of plates if desired. It is convenient to have as long an extension as possible, the camera being then available for copying and similar purposes. It is tension frame (Fig. 5-1) to run freely in the grooves of the baseboard rails. The fo cussing screw J may be purchased ready made ; it is fitted by screwing down the bolt G to the baseboard, and the nut to the end of the extension frame at n. Con struct the sliding frame (Fig. 55) by dove tailing four pieces each 16 in. by 3 in.
Inside this fit a frame x 11 in. wide, flush with the front edges, and screw across two grooved pieces L for the rising front, 3 in. by 16 in. The rising front board may next be got out, with the two rebated rails for the sliding front ; this is sufficiently ex plained by Fig. 56. The sliding front or lens board is shown in Fig. 57. Now make the back frame (Fig. 5S), giving about 5 in.
L, Fig. 55, and the back to the frame m, Fig. 58, and put under pressure till thoroughly dry. The fixed frame, shown
in side view by Fig. 60, is prepared 16 in. by 3i- in. The back frame is fitted with the pivots to the fixed frame at v, and the whole is then made up and screwed firmly to the back of the extension frame. Now make the reversing back (Fig. 61) by first slope to the top and bottom to allow of swing. These four pieces, 1•4i in. by 3 in., are dovetailed together. Then sink the nuts for the thumb screws and the pivots .0 Inside the framework fit care fully a framework ni exactly in. from the joining up a frame of four pieces, and across them glue and screw two strips s and T 11 in. by 14 in., with in. groove at u. A further strip (not illustrated) may be fitted across between the two at w to form a stop for the slide. This must all be clone in stuff to make the frame exactly in. thick when finished. The focussing back edge, and 1 in. wide ; cover it with velvet on the near side. It is an advan tage to beyel the frame towards the centre to allow of central expansion of bellows when closed. Proceed by fitting the clamping-rods x (Fig. 59). These consist of a long screw and nut, but the thread o need only extend about 1 in. P is a cir cular plate to grip the side rail, Q a washer, and the thumbscrew or clamping nut. The bellows are made according to instruc tions to be found in another chapter, or they may be obtained ready made. Glue I he front of the bellows to the framework screen frame is formed as in Fig. 62. The tongue x engages with the groove u, and the rebate Y is for the focussing ground glass, which is held in by narrow strips of brass across the corners. Attach the screen frame to the reversing back by double hinges at z z.