Beseler 45 MX II BaseBoard

GDI · Mar 6, 2022

I need a baseboard for my Beseler 45 MX II. It was separated from the enlarger for moving and it is now no more.

Would anyone know the specs/ dimensions on the board? I don’t want to pay several hundred for a new one and figure I can make one out of MDF or other common counter top materials. I guess I can just measure the base but I don’t know the thickness or even if it is that critical.

thx

MattKing · Mar 6, 2022

If it makes sense for your setup, have you considered wall mounting the enlarger? When combined with a drop table, the results can be great to work with.
If not, I doubt there is anything critical about the exact dimensions. What will matter is the strength and rigidity of what you choose, how it combines with the mounting hardware on the enlarger, and how practical any particular size you choose is for your use - the trade-off between portability and functionality with large prints.
I require portable enlargers, so I like my baseboards to match the size of the rolling carts the enlargers reside upon.

mshchem · Mar 6, 2022

The board for the older models are a hardwood laminate, newer are particle board with plastic (Formica) on both sides.

Front to back 20.5 inches, side to side 25.5 inches. Thickness is 7/8 inch. The easiest is 3/4" plywood, if you could find a countertop scrap that would work too.

GDI · Mar 7, 2022

MattKing said:
If it makes sense for your setup, have you considered wall mounting the enlarger? When combined with a drop table, the results can be great to work with.
If not, I doubt there is anything critical about the exact dimensions. What will matter is the strength and rigidity of what you choose, how it combines with the mounting hardware on the enlarger, and how practical any particular size you choose is for your use - the trade-off between portability and functionality with large prints.
I require portable enlargers, so I like my baseboards to match the size of the rolling carts the enlargers reside upon.

I have not thought of wall mounting - but the walls are my basement walls and they are concrete. So I am not anxious to drill the concrete. The idea of a rolling cart sounds intriguing - I may look into that.

Thanks, Matt!

GDI · Mar 7, 2022

mshchem said:
The board for the older models are a hardwood laminate, newer are particle board with plastic (Formica) on both sides.

Front to back 20.5 inches, side to side 25.5 inches. Thickness is 7/8 inch. The easiest is 3/4" plywood, if you could find a countertop scrap that would work too.

Yes! Thank you Mshchem!

Rick A · Mar 7, 2022

The base material is 7/8" melamine clad high density fiberboard. You may be able to source a piece from your local cabinet shop, I used to stock it when I had my shop.

GDI · Mar 7, 2022

Rick A said:
The base material is 7/8" melamine clad high density fiberboard. You may be able to source a piece from your local cabinet shop, I used to stock it when I had my shop.

Thanks, Rick!

Rick A · Mar 7, 2022

Because of its size, I wouldn't recommend using a movable support, it's all about stability. I have my dark room in the basement and won't bolt my machines to the block wall. I could mount them to the framed partition wall, but that transmits vibrations, so that's out. I built a 2x4 base and used an old plank door for the top, solid as a rock, no vibrations. If you can find a used 30"(or 32") 80" solid core passage door for the counter top, that is even better. A quick look at my enlargers.

mshchem · Mar 7, 2022

Rick A said:
Because of its size, I wouldn't recommend using a movable support, it's all about stability. I have my dark room in the basement and won't bolt my machines to the block wall. I could mount them to the framed partition wall, but that transmits vibrations, so that's out. I built a 2x4 base and used an old plank door for the top, solid as a rock, no vibrations. If you can find a used 30"(or 32") 80" solid core passage door for the counter top, that is even better. A quick look at my enlargers.
View attachment 299961 View attachment 299962 View attachment 299963

Very handsome setup. Omega and Beseler, peaceful coexistence!

Rick A · Mar 7, 2022

mshchem said:
Very handsome setup. Omega and Beseler, peaceful coexistence!

Omega is a condenser unit, the Beseler is cold light. Decisions, decisions, which will produce the better print with which negative.........

mshchem · Mar 7, 2022

Rick A said:
Omega is a condenser unit, the Beseler is cold light. Decisions, decisions, which will produce the better print with which negative.........

Somewhere I have an adapter that allows use of the Beseler color head (Dichro 45s) with the old school Beseler condensers. I tried it and it works, on VC black and white paper it picks up about 1 contrast grade. I never use it, but it's cool.

GDI · Mar 7, 2022

Rick A said:
Because of its size, I wouldn't recommend using a movable support, it's all about stability. I have my dark room in the basement and won't bolt my machines to the block wall. I could mount them to the framed partition wall, but that transmits vibrations, so that's out. I built a 2x4 base and used an old plank door for the top, solid as a rock, no vibrations. If you can find a used 30"(or 32") 80" solid core passage door for the counter top, that is even better. A quick look at my enlargers.
View attachment 299961 View attachment 299962 View attachment 299963

That is a great setup - looks sturdy as hell. Thanks

GDI · Mar 7, 2022

mshchem said:
Somewhere I have an adapter that allows use of the Beseler color head (Dichro 45s) with the old school Beseler condensers. I tried it and it works, on VC black and white paper it picks up about 1 contrast grade. I never use it, but it's cool.

My head unit is a 45 Dichro Computerized, I hear it is the worst one to own, but it seems to work fine with the 4x5 light box. But I really haven’t used it much

albada · Mar 8, 2022

The baseboard of my MCX is 20-3/8 front-to-back by 25-1/2 left-to-right, and 7/8 inch thick, agreeing with Mshchem's measurements.
Almost agreeing. If you use Mshchem's measurements, you'll get 1/8 inch more in the front.

ann · Mar 8, 2022

Where do you live? I may have one at the lab and will double check tonight when I go into class.
If I do I will be glad for you to have it , just pay the shipping cost

ann

GDI · Mar 8, 2022

ann said:
Where do you live? I may have one at the lab and will double check tonight when I go into class.
If I do I will be glad for you to have it , just pay the shipping cost

ann

Awesome, Ann - I live in Connecticut. Please let me know!

ann · Mar 8, 2022

Will do as soon as I double check it belongs to the beseler

mshchem · Mar 8, 2022

albada said:
The baseboard of my MCX is 20-3/8 front-to-back by 25-1/2 left-to-right, and 7/8 inch thick, agreeing with Mshchem's measurements.
Almost agreeing. If you use Mshchem's measurements, you'll get 1/8 inch more in the front.

Yes, my 2 board are 1/8 " different front to back, one is 20-3/8" the other is 20-1/2. The thickness is 7/8" newest white laminate covered very nice, flat and heavy nice solid ply 3x4 ply works but is a
Not quite as nice.

I have 2 Zone VI enlargers mounted to a wall, if you plan to make large prints I would to Matt's point mount enlarger to a sound wall.

GDI · Mar 8, 2022

ann said:
Will do as soon as I double check it belongs to the beseler

Thx!

ann · Mar 8, 2022

GDI said:
Awesome, Ann - I live in Connecticut. Please let me know!

It seems

GDI said:
Awesome, Ann - I live in Connecticut. Please let me know!

necked with it on another Beseler enlarger and it is from another Beseler . Don’t have the bolts and one edge is a bit rough but other than that I don’t know why it wouldn’t work

GDI · Mar 9, 2022

I

ann said:
It seems

necked with it on another Beseler enlarger and it is from another Beseler . Don’t have the bolts and one edge is a bit rough but other than that I don’t know why it wouldn’t work

ll message you, Ann.
Thanks!

Beseler 45 MX II BaseBoard

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