Baseboard for an enlarger

[pschauss]

What is the best material to use for a baseboard for an enlarger? Should I just get a piece of 3/4" plywood, cut it to the size that I want, and glue some Formica to it or is there something ready-made that I can use?

 

[bsdunek]

I have made them from 3/4 in. birch faced plywood. A couple of coats for varnish will seal the wood. It wouldn't have to be birch faced, but I had som left over from a cabinet job, and it finishes more nicely than fir.

 

[Steve Smith]

Availability will depend on where you are. In the UK, I would use a small piece of kitchen worktop (counter top in the US). These are a high density chipboard with a formica like covering over the top and the front (which has a radiused edge). They are generally about 38mm or 1.5" thick.


Steve.

 

[Rick A]

It all depends on what you prefer. HPL(formica) is mostly smooth and slippery, there are some textures that are less slick.You can use melamine panel, which is medium density fiberboard(MDF)with a resin finish, then you need only seal the edge. This is what most manufacturers use, and is quite heavy, and dampens vibrations nicely. You can bolt directly to the counter top, and not be concerned with the base not being large enough, and falling off of it. Any home builder supply can provide you with pre-made counter top of whatever length you want, as well as the MDF, which can be purchased as a full sheet or partial(some will even cut it for you).

Rick

 

[fotch]

Plywood is not as flat as it use to be plus some of the stuff warps and de-laminates. Baltic Birch is probably the best however, for a baseboard, I would glue two layers of 3/4" MDF. You could spray paint it if you want or just leave it plain. Or laminate Formica on it, not sure its needed, but nicer job.

 

[tkamiya]

Try looking for kitchen cutting board at discount stores. Some of the wood kinds are suitably sized and comes already finished nicely.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

All the above but perhaps more critical is fastening the enlarger to the base. It must be ridged and no chance of wiggle or loosening of wood screws. I would suggest through bolting the double 3/4 ply and counter sinking the nuts on the bottom using washers.

 

[John Koehrer]

I just made one from 3/4" ply glued to 3/4" MDF & sealed it with polyurethane. Mounted the enlarger to it with t-nuts & bolts.

 

[kozesluk]

three layers (well - it's important to glue odd number of layers together - else it will warp) of oak piedroit will be the best option
a baseboard from plywood will be also good

 

[Denis R]

staron or granite

Staron® Solid Surfaces by Samsung are acrylic surfacing materials...

had a piece in the shop, cleaned it with gas, braklean, carb clean, never any problems

granite would also work, but since bottom is unfinished and unsealed, may turn gunky

 

[RalphLambrecht]

What is the best material to use for a baseboard for an enlarger? Should I just get a piece of 3/4" plywood, cut it to the size that I want, and glue some Formica to it or is there something ready-made that I can use?

Peter

Consider not using a baseboard at all. You get the most rigidity and least vibration with a wall mounted solution. Enlarger and counter top are best to be separated.

 

[bdial]

It depends on how big the enlarger is, but 3/4 probably isn't thick enough. The factory baseboard of my LPL is at least an inch, and it has a metal stiffener on the bottom.
An alternative, though it's contrary to Ralph's suggestion, would be to mount the enlarger directly to the counter top, with some reinforcement underneath. The completely open surface is nice to work on. Wall mounting accomplishes the same thing, but the manufacturer's wall mounts are usually pretty expensive.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I made my own wall mount fro my Durst L1200, but I'm not sure it was cheaper than buying one. However, it's much more rigid.