I just spent the better part of an hour disassembling the chimney hood on my 4x5 SLR. It was completely falling apart and I wanted to save the little stiffening panels for use as templates when fabricating the new hood. All were removed successfully.

My question concerns the leather. As far as I can tell by spreading the tattered carcass on a table, the whole shebang is a single piece of leather. This seems like a stroke of good fortune - maybe too good to be true. Can anyone confirm that these hoods are indeed built up from a single piece of leather?

Many thanks,

John

Well, you take a *very* small cow and a *really* sharp knife....two cuts across the small end ought to do it.

The hoods are a composit material...if you look real close at a spot that has worn thru, you will see a fabric backing! It has had me fooled for years, I only reciently discovered that it was not real leather! I have tried to get leather thin enough to duplicate the original, and every piece of leather I have ever found>>>even 1 oz material is to thick<<< and the finished hood will not fold easily or properly!
I suggest a compromise.....get bellows material, and install the rubberized side outside, on the outer layer, and black cotton for the inner layer!
Neatsfoot Oil still softens the >old hoods and bellows<, and cleans as well, so havent changed my mind on that, as I have used Neatsfoot for years on both!
FORGOT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION...Yes the hood is one piece, with lap joint on backside.....Bert

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: bertsaunders on 2003-11-16 20:44 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: bertsaunders on 2003-11-16 20:44 ]</font>