Beseler 23C ll broken cam.. Fixable?

[Jim17x]

The plastic cam that raises the bellows to load the carrier is "Broken" Does anyone know of a remedy to fix it? B&H has them for sale online for $14.50 but only sold in sets of 4 with a $12.50 delivery fee!!Thats over $70 for a .99 piece of plastic. Is there an adhesive available that is strong enough to fuse it back together or some other remedy?

Thanks.

 

[snapguy]

Aaargh

I suggest you don't need a "strong" glue, you need just the right type of glue for the kind of plastic involved. It's like trying to glue plastic eyeglass frame parts with household glue. Won't work. Good luck.

 

[mrred]

Epoxy is the ticket.

 

[mdarnton]

Probably not what anyone wants to hear, but in the several labs I worked in, none of us ever used this lever. Jam the carrier in while using it to push the bellows plate up, then lift and pull to remove it. I wouldn't have known if this piece was there or not.

 

[John Koehrer]

I think Epoxy would be a temporary fix. Smooth surfaces don't allow it to get the grip you need.
You could try Epoxy but brass/aluminum reinforcement on each side. The plastic's brittle and would need to be screwed on. probably using through holes rather than self tapping or wood screws. 2-56 hardware's even available at big box stores.

2)Try the bay for used/broken enlarger parts.

3)Thinking(?) about it what about a small hose clamp around it? Just put the worm drive opposite the operating surface.

 

[Jim17x]

I think Epoxy would be a temporary fix. Smooth surfaces don't allow it to get the grip you need.
You could try Epoxy but brass/aluminum reinforcement on each side. The plastic's brittle and would need to be screwed on. probably using through holes rather than self tapping or wood screws. 2-56 hardware's even available at big box stores.

2)Try the bay for used/broken enlarger parts.

3)Thinking(?) about it what about a small hose clamp around it? Just put the worm drive opposite the operating surface.

John.. You read my mind. I was thinking of the hose clamp idea! I bought some epoxy last night and will give that a try also with the clamp.

 

[Jim17x]

My only concern about the hose clamp is if the metal to metal contact would cause metal shavings to fall into the bellows and land on my negatives.. Maybe I should glue some fabric onto the clamp.

 

[Vaughn]

Find a 23C that someone is tossing out -- all the parts you need! But as said earlier -- not essential for the operation of the enlarger.

I have replaced a few of them back when I was in charge of a teaching darkroom...but I had a ton of dead 23C to part out.