Conley bellows removal help - yanking nails..

[walter23]

I had wondered about that, John, so I was careful with it. I didn't have any problems with my first careful test, and managed to finish the steaming and removal without any noticeable damage to the frame (I couldn't help denting it a bit in a few spots where I pried with a screwdriver, but it's in an out-of-sight place behind the first bellows fold anyway.

It's a good thing to mention though, in case anyone else refers to this thread while similarly attacking their old camera.

[barryjyoung]

Hi Walter:

In the 80's when I repaired many cameras with nailed on bellows I came up with a pretty good way of getting them out. It isn't easy, but it does minimal damage and it works.

Cut the cardboard and old bellows material etc. between the nails and remove it by getting under the pieces with a knife. They are rarely still stuck to the wood. When you get near a nail. switch to needle nosed (duckbill pliers are better but hard to find these days) pliers. When the cardboard is removed from under the nail heads, there will be room to get a small prybar under it. Occasionally you will find a nail that is still holding the cardboard and leather tight against the wood. A drop of water on the surrounding cardboard/leather will usually soften the cardboard within four hours or so.

Before prying on the nail with your prybar, place the prybar under the head of the nail against the shank and rap it smartly. This will loosen the nail and make it a lot easier to remove.

Keep in mind, these were not meant to be taken apart. They were pretty inexpensive when new and made to be sold not repaired.

Good luck.

[walter23]

Barry, thanks for the help. That's pretty much what I ended up doing, so it seems it's the natural way of doing things