Need a sturdy table or bench for enlargers

[Duggbug]

Current darkroom setup has a small, separate dry room with a cabinet/bench for cutting paper, loading film into tanks, etc, with storage underneath. And a small built-in bench for a light table. Those are good.

But then there are three enlargers (two Beseler and one Leitz) on a folding conference room table. Ugh! It seems to be strong enough; at least it hasn't collapsed yet, but it is very wobbly. It takes at least a couple of seconds after you push it a bit for large visible vibrations to die out, which means maybe something like what, maybe 15 seconds for the smaller amplitude motion? I have not actually noticed any problems in my prints, but that might be because my prints aren't very good to start with. Maybe there is a way to test for motion blur?

In any case, what should it be replaced with? One possibility is to build another cabinet. Another is to find a sturdy table.

 

[koraks]

Low-cost solution is an end of kitchen countertop. Place on a cabinet or a frame. Advantage is that it's waterproof so you can swap out the enlargers for a series of trays when needed (e.g. for alt. process printing).

 

[mshchem]

Sandbags

 

[mshchem]

 

[Paul Howell]

Low cost would be check the thrift store in you area for a small kitchen table. You can reinforce the legs if the table seems a bit wobbly. Almost 30 years ago I found an old dot matrix printer table. I have a D3 and LP 6700 sitting on. Very strong. The Sit Stand Work table that is show above is well wroth considering if you have the budget for one.

 

[djdister]

The Bror workbench at Ikea is very sturdy and has two adjustable shelves underneath it. I have one for my copy stand and one for my printer with a kitchen countertop on top to extend the surface.

 

[Beevo]

I mounted a wooden solid core door I found to a 2x4 (1 1/2 x 3 1/2 if you live in Orange County CA) frame.

 

[MattKing]

Good choice, if it maintains level.
There are also sources for the powered frames that permit you to add your own top to them.
I believe there also may be options that use a hand crank instead of the motor - one less power cord underfoot.

 

[mshchem]

Good choice, if it maintains level.
There are also sources for the powered frames that permit you to add your own top to them.
I believe there also may be options that use a hand crank instead of the motor - one less power cord underfoot.

I've found over forever that the key is a lowest level, concrete floor, single family home, away from external vibration

My first house wasn't far from an infrequently used freight train spur. Every week or so freight would move on that track and it would rattle things pretty good.

Today I've got quasi-permanent massive wooden structures.

One of the benefits of living in the Middle of Nowhere USA. Cheap(ish) real estate.

 

[Dave Ludwig]

If you are near a Habitat for Humanity Restore go check them out. They might have something you could use, countertops, doors, furniture, shop benches, etc.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Low-cost solution is an end of kitchen countertop. Place on a cabinet or a frame. Advantage is that it's waterproof so you can swap out the enlargers for a series of trays when needed (e.g. for alt. process printing).

In my experience, a couple of kitchen cabinets and a kitchen countertop make for a very stable enlarger support for relatively little money. Don't forget that a stable enlarger column needs a wall bracket of some sort.

 

[Don_ih]

A used dresser is a good choice. It has drawers that are useful and is generally pretty stable and solid, even when very cheaply made. If you have the space, you could opt for a sideboard - if long enough, it could fit all three enlargers. Don't be afraid to screw the baseboard of the enlarger to the cabinet top. There are plenty of ready-made pieces of furniture that can serve the purpose.

 

[Ian C]

The drop-top enlarger table might suit your needs.

The drop-top design extends the magnification range of a vertical-projection-only enlarger. Castors can be added to the legs making it easy to move it about.

https://books.google.com/books?id=9tsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA186&lpg=PA186&dq=enlarging+table&source=bl&ots=tLka0-OLp0&sig=gIAaCYxuGz_WtM1BoMOww_z-Pc8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qwpoUfDQDKSHygGH7YDwAw&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=enlarging table&f=false

 

[Don_ih]

@Ian C -- there's something great just above that table:

 

[ic-racer]

I'd love to have that motor for my model boat. The contemporary motors are not as 'scale' appearing.

 

[Beevo]

My cousin had one of the old design motors, it was pretty cool.

Bill

 

[blee1996]

Home Depot or Lowes workbench, steel frame and wooden top, adjustable height. Heavy duty and solid, will not vibrate at all.