Beseler 45M Parts?

[mtbbrian]

The Beseler 45M enlerger I just bought is missing one thing!
The focus knob that moves the condenser throught the various formats, below the light housing.
Does anyone know where I can obtain one? Or has one laying around?
What about an instruction manual?
Thanks!
Brian

 

[Claire Senft]

Beseler sells spare parts.

 

[mtbbrian]

Beseler sells spare parts.

So calling them or contacting them through their website is what I want to do then?
Thanks!
Brian

 

[Claire Senft]

Should work.

 

[Mark_S]

If I remember right, that knob attaches to a 1/4" shaft, you should be able to find a knob at the local hardware store that will work, although it might not be as pretty as the ones that Beseler will sell you.

As an aside - there is a local college which has a darkroom with Beseler 23CII enlargers in it, some set up for 35mm, some for MF. I thought that I could use one of the 35mm ones for MF by bringing in my own negative carrier and lens (I have a 45MX at home, so same lensboard, and I happen to have a 6x6 holder for the 23C) - when I got to the darkroom, I discovered that the knob for adjusting the upper bellows had been removed from all of the enlargers to keep students from messing with it.

 

[Chan Tran]

Beseler does sell spare parts so that's one solution. You can possibly find a knob like that at a hardware supply house. Or you can simply use pliers to move the adjustment to where you want and leave it there unless you have the need to change negative size often. I am pretty sure that if you leave it in the 4x5 position it would work fine for all sizes although not as bright as it can be.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

If I remember right, that knob attaches to a 1/4" shaft, you should be able to find a knob at the local hardware store that will work, although it might not be as pretty as the ones that Beseler will sell you.

As an aside - there is a local college which has a darkroom with Beseler 23CII enlargers in it, some set up for 35mm, some for MF. I thought that I could use one of the 35mm ones for MF by bringing in my own negative carrier and lens (I have a 45MX at home, so same lensboard, and I happen to have a 6x6 holder for the 23C) - when I got to the darkroom, I discovered that the knob for adjusting the upper bellows had been removed from all of the enlargers to keep students from messing with it.

I don't blame them for a second. Every few days I have to go through the darkroom and correct all of the things that have been undone by someone. Yesterday it was that all of the lenses had been taken off of their respective lens boards. A few days before, someone thought a few of the timers didn't work, so they unplugged everything and redid it all wrong. Taking off the knobs sounds like an awesome idea!

 

[raucousimages]

I think the knob threads on then is held onto the shaft by a screw in the end of the knob. I think Granger Supply has them.

 

[mtbbrian]

I think the knob threads on then is held onto the shaft by a screw in the end of the knob. I think Granger Supply has them.

I believe that is the case.
It is on the left side, there is only one unlike the focusing knobs.
Brian

 

[Paul VanAudenhove]

Looking at my 45MXII, the focus knobs look the same as the upper knob you are looking for. Did you try to use the focus knob from the side you don't use?

 

[mtbbrian]

Looking at my 45MXII, the focus knobs look the same as the upper knob you are looking for. Did you try to use the focus knob from the side you don't use?

I never thought about that.
Good idea, but I am not sure I'd want to.
It just looks too pretty as it is, with both knobs!
:rolleyes:
Brian

 

[Todd Barlow]

A souce in Canada

You can get both from http://www.khbphotografix.com. They are located in Miississauga Ontario.

Good luck

Todd