I read on the large format camera forum that one thing to do is smear vasoline on the ground side of the glass, then wipe clean with a soft, smooth cloth. The vasoline will fill in the holes and provide a "wet" look to the glass, and improve brightness. I haven't personally tested it, but it might be worth a try.

GREAT NEWS!

I've discovered where to get pre-frosted CDR's like Agus uses -- Maxell's 48x/700mb 50 spindle has it!

I found this on sale at Tower Records today ($15.99), and since I just ripped the label in order to open the pack, here's an idea of what it looks like:

http://ideaspora.net/agus35/frosted.jpg

- jim

Daniel,

Are these the clips you speak of at bobflash.com.br:

Clip 1 (http://www.bobflash.com.br/franquias/recife/bobcam/download.php?file=bobcam-natalbarrozo-02.wmv)

(bobcam-natalbarrozo-01.wmv -- 4.07mb)

Clip 2 (http://www.bobflash.com.br/franquias/recife/bobcam/download.php?file=bobcam-natalbarrozo-02.wmv)

(bobcam-natalbarrozo-02.wmv -- 3.47mb)

?

For future reference -- when posting clips, please include the file name and/or size in your post -- that way we know we're getting the right material.

- jim

If having trouble getting the CD disk to run true, three solutions - (1) Use the whole of the CD spindle system including the pressure plate which clamps from the opposite side. This is supposed to let the CD find its correct position through gyro effect with the inner hub acting more like a clutch and centre rather than an alignment. The motor remains hard mounted. (

2) If this can't be done because of limited space and you have to mount the CD rigidly to the spindle, try making a diaphragm mount for the motor if the motor is of face-mount Mabuchi style construction. Make a little thin disk or square out of something really light and pliable. Shim steel would be best. Ice cream or milk container is okay but it will deform out of position in time. Face-mount the motor to this. You'll need to be able to precisely drill 4 holes through it, one for the motor spindle shaft, three for the screws.

( A quick and dirty cheat for making a template is to place an identical motor face down on the platen of a scanner or photocopier. The spindle shaft will have to have been removed though some photocopiers or scanners will accurately scan an object up to half an inch away from the platen. - So you'll probably have to have a second motor to dismantle for this. Slide-tray CD players often
have similar motors for tray and transport drives so these could be used. Print the scan and check the distance between the holes against the motor. Glue the print to the metal or plastic you want to drill, mark or centrepunch through the paper then drill through it. Printing to a sticky label makes the job even easier.) Mount the plate or glue it to the case. When the CD runs up to speed and straightens out, the motor will be seen to be vibrating slightly.

(3) Make a foam rubber sock out of hotwater pipe
insulation. Fix your spindle motor inside this and mount the foam inside a piece of plastic pipe glued to the case. It may be harder to keep the motor is position though as the material will slump in time.

For Aussie visitors, with Chris kennelmaster's help, there may soon be a .jpg of a partly assembled early prototype of the Agus35 non-inverter rotary groundglass principle, using Australian standard PVC plumbing bits for case and lens tube structure, plus a Decor potplant saucer as a soft motor mount. (Yes the sock will be there).

Once the motor and disk image plane positions have been tied down by testing, the lens tube will be shortened to accept a proper lens mount for the objective lens and some sort of attachment, probably 58mm filter thread for the PD150 at the other.

There will be observed a cut-out in the lens tube insude the enclosure. This provides assembly clearance for the motor and disk mount which clips into place. The enclosure case comprises two riser caps and a short piece of pipe inside one purely as an internal guide sleeve for case assembly.

The disk sits ahead of the orange saucer driven by the motor mounted behind - not fitted in this illustration. The battery holder will fit in the rear enclosure with the motor and the switch will be mounted to the rear cover which will be the removable cover for maintenance.

Fixing of the covers will be by long pillar nuts and screws as used to mount circuit boards.

Bob Hart's images now online at www.dvinfo.net/media/hart.

Note from Chris Hurd: This is an edited, locked version of the original "Homemade 35mm" thread located here. It has been edited by removing off-topic posts, meta-data (such as "great job!" etc.), repeated questions, and so on. This should make your reading of the entire relevant technical discussion a bit easier. If you'd like to add to this discussion, or post a question which has not yet been asked, please do so at the original thread located here. Hope this helps -- CH