Beseler 67 XL won't stay up

[Tony-S]

Real bummer here. My 67C XL enlarger won't stay up. I've had it in storage for about 4 years (finally getting around to building a darkroom in my new home!) and when I set it up today, it just won't stay in position - it slides all the way down. I sure hope this is an easy fix. Any idea how to address this problem?

Attached is a photo of this model.

TIA.

 

[John Koehrer]

Never had one of these but every enlarger I've had has a locking knob with a rubber(?) foot that will keep the head from
dropping or a spring attached to the head carrier to sort of balance it. Don't know if the one you have has either one.

 

[Tony-S]

My recollection is that the XL column is held in place by tension, but I cannot locate a bolt that may be needed for increasing the tension. But it's been more than 4 years since I've used it and I could be mis-remembering.

 

[Kino]

You should have a recoil spring in the top of the column that attaches to the carriage. Check the back of the column top and see if it has become detached.

This is for the 67CP, but it should be essentially the same...

 

[Tony-S]

Ah ha! That was it. Thanks very much. Now I have to get that mofo back on. Looks a bit dangerous...

 

[Kino]

Ah ha! That was it. Thanks very much. Now I have to get that mofo back on. Looks a bit dangerous...

Run the head back to the top before attempting...

 

[Tony-S]

I don't follow you?

I have a pair of leather gloves on and I can pull the recoil tab out, but it seems a bit challenging to slip the loop over the hook. Is this a two person job?

 

[Kino]

Lay the column down on it's side after running the lamphouse all the way to the top to shorten the distance you have to pull out the spring.

 

[Tony-S]

OK, thanks. I have it reconnected. I appreciate the help. Now I'm just waiting on my sink to arrive then I should be ready to go.

 

[Kino]

Great! Now clean that filthy beast!

Sorry to also notice your baseboard might be warped! Might have to replace it. A bit of kitchen counter top with laminate from a used counter will work fine.

 

[Tony-S]

That picture isn't mine. It's one I got from the internet. Mine is perfectly flat (but it definitely needs some cleaning!).

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Kino]

That picture isn't mine. It's one I got from the internet. Mine is perfectly flat (but it definitely needs some cleaning!).

Thanks again for your help.

Even better! Good luck!