Material for GF cassette sliders, here: Source of supply

cfb_de · 2008-07-16T21:20:40+00:00

Moin, da ich nirgendwo Schieber für meine Polakassette und die zweite 6x7 zu meiner Pola-600 (also gilt dasselbe auch für Pola-600SE, Mamiya-Universal, -Pre...

cfb_de

Hi, As I couldn’t find any sliders anywhere for my Polakassette and the second 6x7 for my Pola-600 (so the same applies to the Pola-600SE, Mamiya Universal, Press, 23, etc.), I’ve been looking for some thin sheet metal. Options under 0.3mm are scarce on the market. However: http://www.modellbau-schuerz.de has 20x15 sheets available from stock down to 0.2mm. Phosphor bronze (i.e. 0.5% phosphorus, 7% tin, the residue copper; stable and only permanently bendable like the originals) at a very reasonable price. At 0.2 mm, it’ll definitely fit the Pola cassette; I’ll have a go at the RF cassette tomorrow evening (the slot on the side is so deep that I’d have to bend the large sheet now). You don’t actually need to get them black, but I’ve got an idea of how that might work using standard black-and-white lab equipment. I’ll then use the leftover sections to make my own dodging masks for enlargements. All you need is a standard Dremel or a simple key file and a drill. You won’t be able to chamfer the sheets on a guillotine shear; they’re simply too ductile and too thin for that. Just a tip for DIY enthusiasts. Best regards, Franz

Wolfgg

Hi Franz! My calliper shows the Universal 6x9 cassette to be 0.3 mm thick. The material is hard to make out, but it’s probably nickel-plated sheet steel. Best regards, Wolfgang

cfb_de

Hi Wolfgang, That’s what my calliper showed too. But it doesn’t fit – the measurement is smaller. 0.25 mm (i.e. 1/100") just about fits at the top; I don’t want to test it at the edge, so that the pristine sheet metal stays flat before cutting. If I get round to it tomorrow, I’ll cut a sheet to size. Without the rounded edges for easy insertion. I’ll add those later. My gut feeling tells me, however, that even 0.25 mm is still too thick. When laid flat on a flat piece of steel, I notice clear differences between the 0.25 mm sheet and the original slide. My fingernail is usually more accurate than 100 as a probe. Unfortunately, I don’t have a dial gauge at home. For the Pola cassette, 0.2 mm is definitely the way to go. On the sides too. The slider is the first thing I see, and as it’s going to be used straight away: without a proper handle, but with a hole for a key ring. For now. Best regards, Franz

Wolfgg

Yes, Franz, you're right! If I stack three calipers on top of each other and then take a measurement, I get a reading of 0.75 mm. Regards, Wolfgang

cfb_de

See? :-) Why don’t you stack ten of them on top of each other and measure again? That would be a great help. I don’t have ten industrial sliders here, but I reckon the actual thickness is around 1/100 of an inch. Best regards, Franz

Wolfgg

Franz, according to my measurements, it’s 0.250 mm. I don’t have 10 cassettes, but I managed to find a gauge with a 0.250 mm opening. When I place this on an extremely flat surface next to the slider and then position the edge of the calliper over both, no light passes through either of them and the gauge is very difficult to pull away. It also requires the same amount of force to slide it into the cassette as the slide gauge. I suppose I’ll have to get myself a micrometer again; I do need it quite often. “I hope this helps.” Regards, Wolfgang

UlfSpuhl

...I’d love to really spoil their fun here, just as they’ve done to me time and again. Not even addressing the content, just claiming they’re talking complete rubbish, spouting nonsense and rambling on and on. Just giving them a pointlessly snide dig from the sidelines and grinning to myself as I do it. Right, that felt really good. Enjoy the rest of your cosy little fling... Cheers, Fluuu

cfb_de

Right, now for the results: - The 6x7 slider is definitely 0.25 mm. Cut to size, it fits perfectly. - The Pola slider is more like 0.2 mm. However, 0.25 mm also fits and is considerably sturdier. Cut to size, it fits perfectly too. I cut it on an old lever cutter; the sheet metal on top remains flat at the cut edge. I just did the curves with a Dremel and sandpaper. Now just to re-shape it, insert a piece of wire as a handle and I’m done. @fluu: Wolfgang and I aren’t having an intimate fling; he’s simply more mechanically minded than I am and we’ve had a few discussions together. So it’ll be tricky if you want to spoil our fun :-) Best regards, Franz