For years I made lens boards for people. Custom sized, exotic woods, little tiny tongue and groove three piece jobbies. Paid for the large format addiction for a long time. But time consuming and I don’t much do it anymore. In fact, the last few boards I’ve made myself were roughly sized 1/8” ply, with very grossly sized rebates from a shoulder plane. Shameful.
Well, I have a new-to-me 180/4.5 Xenar. And no board. My daughter is an ME major, second year. She’s taking an additive manufacturing class right now. Offered to print me a board for the Xenar. She measured up one of my current boards, I gave her the diameter I needed for the flange, and she generated the file.
Printed a few days ago.
Looks outstanding. I need to test the fit yet, and yes, paint the back black. She liked the yellow. I’m good with that. This works out I’m going to have her print some blanks for future acquisitions.
My how times have changed.
Scott
