Drilling Lensboards

Hi all,

looking for advice: I want to drill out a couple of Graflex miniature
graphic lensboards to a larger size hole. Currently both have a small hole
sixe that fits a Kodak Supermatic shutter, and I want to drill them out to
take a Copal 0.

If I could find a cone drill that went as large as 35mm it would be easy,
but so far I've only seen ones that go up to 30mm. So I wondered about
clamping the board (they're aluminium, not very thick) to a wooden block and
using a hole saw in a slow running drill press, then deburring the hole with
a pipe deburrer. Does this sound like a way to go?

Also, is a 35mm hole going to be too sloppy a fit? I doubt that I'll be
able to get a 34.6mm hole saw. Would it be better to try to drill a 34mm
hole and file it slightly larger?

Thanks for any and all suggestions!


Peter

--

http://www.bard-hill.co.uk

Bandicoot wrote:
: Hi all,

: looking for advice: I want to drill out a couple of Graflex miniature
: graphic lensboards to a larger size hole. Currently both have a small hole
: sixe that fits a Kodak Supermatic shutter, and I want to drill them out to
: take a Copal 0.

: If I could find a cone drill that went as large as 35mm it would be easy,
: but so far I've only seen ones that go up to 30mm. So I wondered about
: clamping the board (they're aluminium, not very thick) to a wooden block and
: using a hole saw in a slow running drill press, then deburring the hole with
: a pipe deburrer. Does this sound like a way to go?

That's the same solution I was thinking of. Just be sure the hole saw you use
can cut aluminium. Not all of the can. When you cut the hole don't press the saw
into the metal. Just keep the saw in contact and let it do the work. This will
minimize the burr on the backside. You also want to be generous with the cutting
oil to keep from over heating the saw and lensboard. It doesn't matter much if
you don't mind the burnt paint on the lensboard and throwing out the hole saw
when you're done. :-)

: Also, is a 35mm hole going to be too sloppy a fit? I doubt that I'll be
: able to get a 34.6mm hole saw. Would it be better to try to drill a 34mm
: hole and file it slightly larger?

I wouldn't worry about the hole being .4mm larger. The shutter and the locking
nut will keep out any extra light and friction will keep things from moving
around. If you center the shutter it's only a .2mm gap. I doubt you could do a
better job filing. :-)


--




Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------

Bandicoot wrote:
: Hi all,

: looking for advice: I want to drill out a couple of Graflex miniature
: graphic lensboards to a larger size hole. Currently both have a small hole
: sixe that fits a Kodak Supermatic shutter, and I want to drill them out to
: take a Copal 0.

: If I could find a cone drill that went as large as 35mm it would be easy,
: but so far I've only seen ones that go up to 30mm. So I wondered about
: clamping the board (they're aluminium, not very thick) to a wooden block and
: using a hole saw in a slow running drill press, then deburring the hole with
: a pipe deburrer. Does this sound like a way to go?

That's the same solution I was thinking of. Just be sure the hole saw you use
can cut aluminium. Not all of the can. When you cut the hole don't press the saw
into the metal. Just keep the saw in contact and let it do the work. This will
minimize the burr on the backside. You also want to be generous with the cutting
oil to keep from over heating the saw and lensboard. It doesn't matter much if
you don't mind the burnt paint on the lensboard and throwing out the hole saw
when you're done. :-)

: Also, is a 35mm hole going to be too sloppy a fit? I doubt that I'll be
: able to get a 34.6mm hole saw. Would it be better to try to drill a 34mm
: hole and file it slightly larger?

I wouldn't worry about the hole being .4mm larger. The shutter and the locking
nut will keep out any extra light and friction will keep things from moving
around. If you center the shutter it's only a .2mm gap. I doubt you could do a
better job filing. :-)


--




Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------

Bandicoot wrote:

Hi all,

looking for advice: I want to drill out a couple of Graflex miniature
graphic lensboards to a larger size hole. Currently both have a small hole
sixe that fits a Kodak Supermatic shutter, and I want to drill them out to
take a Copal 0.

If I could find a cone drill that went as large as 35mm it would be easy,
but so far I've only seen ones that go up to 30mm. So I wondered about
clamping the board (they're aluminium, not very thick) to a wooden block and
using a hole saw in a slow running drill press, then deburring the hole with
a pipe deburrer. Does this sound like a way to go?

Also, is a 35mm hole going to be too sloppy a fit? I doubt that I'll be
able to get a 34.6mm hole saw. Would it be better to try to drill a 34mm
hole and file it slightly larger?

Thanks for any and all suggestions!


Peter




Hi Peter,


Your method sounds reasonable. In all probability, a 35 mm hole will
not be a problem. The metal overlap on the lens for the screws to go
through the lensboard, or, alternatively, for the screw on back holder
to grip the lensboard is sufficient for the porpose. These will more
than cover the 0.4 mm gap.

Using a 34 mm hole saw is ok, provided that you have a way of ensuring
that the filing out is done evenly. That is the function of a lathe,
ideally. You may, however, be able to set up a jig to achieve this
result manually. It would require a device to hold the drilled
lensboard and spin it, and a tool rest on which to place the round
file. If you have a variable speed grinding wheel, or just a motor and
shaft, you may be able to set up such a jig. Otherwise, stay with the
35 mm hole saw.


Francis A. Miniter

In article ,
"Bandicoot" wrote:

Hi all,

looking for advice: I want to drill out a couple of Graflex miniature
graphic lensboards to a larger size hole. Currently both have a small hole
sixe that fits a Kodak Supermatic shutter, and I want to drill them out to
take a Copal 0.

If I could find a cone drill that went as large as 35mm it would be easy,
but so far I've only seen ones that go up to 30mm. So I wondered about
clamping the board (they're aluminium, not very thick) to a wooden block and
using a hole saw in a slow running drill press, then deburring the hole with
a pipe deburrer. Does this sound like a way to go?

Also, is a 35mm hole going to be too sloppy a fit? I doubt that I'll be
able to get a 34.6mm hole saw. Would it be better to try to drill a 34mm
hole and file it slightly larger?

Thanks for any and all suggestions!


Peter

If you are after the proper and best results a hole in a metal lensboard
should be milled and not drilled. Drilling can create problems with the
board like not remaining critically flat that could effect results.

Some camera repair shops and any machinist would be able to mill the
holes to the proper size.

--
To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

"Bandicoot" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

looking for advice: I want to drill out a couple of Graflex miniature
graphic lensboards to a larger size hole. Currently both have a small
hole
sixe that fits a Kodak Supermatic shutter, and I want to drill them out to
take a Copal 0.

If I could find a cone drill that went as large as 35mm it would be easy,
but so far I've only seen ones that go up to 30mm. So I wondered about
clamping the board (they're aluminium, not very thick) to a wooden block
and
using a hole saw in a slow running drill press, then deburring the hole
with
a pipe deburrer. Does this sound like a way to go?

Yes. That's exactly how I do it. There is a terrific selection of hole-saws
of given dimensions (given in mm and inch). It is okay to make the hole a
millimeter or two larger than spec if the retaining ring is broad enough.

"Bandicoot" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

looking for advice: I want to drill out a couple of Graflex miniature
graphic lensboards to a larger size hole. Currently both have a small
hole
sixe that fits a Kodak Supermatic shutter, and I want to drill them out to
take a Copal 0.

If I could find a cone drill that went as large as 35mm it would be easy,
but so far I've only seen ones that go up to 30mm. So I wondered about
clamping the board (they're aluminium, not very thick) to a wooden block
and
using a hole saw in a slow running drill press, then deburring the hole
with
a pipe deburrer. Does this sound like a way to go?

Yes. That's exactly how I do it. There is a terrific selection of hole-saws
of given dimensions (given in mm and inch). It is okay to make the hole a
millimeter or two larger than spec if the retaining ring is broad enough.

"Bob Salomon" wrote in message
...

If you are after the proper and best results a hole in a metal lensboard
should be milled and not drilled. Drilling can create problems with the
board like not remaining critically flat that could effect results.

Bob brings up an important point, here. I forgot to mention that I fasten
the lens board to a clean, flat wooden board before drilling. Go slow, use
light pressure, the proper (white) hole saw, use oil to lubricate and cool
and all will be well. At least it has always worked for me. I use a
drill-press and in earlier years tried to do it with a hand-drill but....
I'm a klutz. Not a good idea.

"Bob Salomon" wrote in message
...

If you are after the proper and best results a hole in a metal lensboard
should be milled and not drilled. Drilling can create problems with the
board like not remaining critically flat that could effect results.

Bob brings up an important point, here. I forgot to mention that I fasten
the lens board to a clean, flat wooden board before drilling. Go slow, use
light pressure, the proper (white) hole saw, use oil to lubricate and cool
and all will be well. At least it has always worked for me. I use a
drill-press and in earlier years tried to do it with a hand-drill but....
I'm a klutz. Not a good idea.

"Bandicoot" wrote in
message ...
Hi all,

looking for advice: I want to drill out a couple of
Graflex miniature
graphic lensboards to a larger size hole. Currently both
have a small hole
sixe that fits a Kodak Supermatic shutter, and I want to
drill them out to
take a Copal 0.

If I could find a cone drill that went as large as 35mm it
would be easy,
but so far I've only seen ones that go up to 30mm. So I
wondered about
clamping the board (they're aluminium, not very thick) to
a wooden block and
using a hole saw in a slow running drill press, then
deburring the hole with
a pipe deburrer. Does this sound like a way to go?

Also, is a 35mm hole going to be too sloppy a fit? I
doubt that I'll be
able to get a 34.6mm hole saw. Would it be better to try
to drill a 34mm
hole and file it slightly larger?

Thanks for any and all suggestions!


Peter

--

http://www.bard-hill.co.uk

I prefer a fly-cutter to a hole saw. It makes a smoother
cut without burrs. The technique is the same, clamp the
board to a block of wood and carefully find the center. Fly
cutters work on drill presses. Another advantage is that a
fly-cutter can be adjusted for an exact diameter, whith a
hole saw you are limited to the sizes the saws come in.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA