Beseler Adjustable Table Question

[Pioneer]

I am in the process of re-arranging my darkroom so I can add an 8x10 enlarger. I am thinking of buying the Beseler adjustable enlarger table for my Beseler. Does anyone own it and, if so, do you feel it was a good purchase for you?

 

[jstraw]

I have one for my 45MXT. It's never been the easiest thing to level and align because it tends to flex.

 

[Curt]

No, yes I have an ajust-a-table and when the enlarger is aligned one corner of the table, right rear, needs to be raised a "bit". This is the most difficult enlarger to align. This I why I'm going to be moving it out and my Durst 5x7 in.

My main process being carbon will take up a lot of the space.

 

[jerrybro]

Like Yamaha used to say different stroke for different folk, I have one and I like it. Once aligned I found it to be pretty solid, but I have the baseboard screwed down to the enlarger and the front cross piece mounted on the table. I also leveled the table before tightening all the bolts and made sure all 4 feet were in contact with the floor. I've not noticed any issues with flex or vibration. I've actually considered looking for a 2nd one for my other 45MX.

 

[fotch]

Well, 20+ years ago, I made my own by using those cheap metal workbench legs and adapting a plywood back to hold them together, and some 2x4 bolted to the top (of the legs) for the Beseler 4x5 to sit on, worked perfect. I then could remove the base, and put it on a lower shelf for increasing the enlargement size.

After moving, I re-purposed the workbench legs while my darkroom is stored. Since then, I got the Beseler legs from a eBay sale for next to nothing. Yes, seem pretty nice but I would never pay much for another set. I think the new price is insane, but to each their own.

So, if you cannot get a used set for cheap, then, build your own, just as good for not a lot of money. TMO

 

[Pioneer]

Well, 20+ years ago, I made my own by using those cheap metal workbench legs and adapting a plywood back to hold them together, and some 2x4 bolted to the top (of the legs) for the Beseler 4x5 to sit on, worked perfect. I then could remove the base, and put it on a lower shelf for increasing the enlargement size.

After moving, I re-purposed the workbench legs while my darkroom is stored. Since then, I got the Beseler legs from a eBay sale for next to nothing. Yes, seem pretty nice but I would never pay much for another set. I think the new price is insane, but to each their own.

So, if you cannot get a used set for cheap, then, build your own, just as good for not a lot of money. TMO

Part of me agrees with you, particularly when I look at the price. Since I am already building a table for my Elwood I guess I was kind of thinking I could skip building another.

 

[John Koehrer]

Why not wall mount it? Then you could use wall mount shelf standards and movable shelves from you favorite big box shop.
If you removed the shelf you'd have a bit more floor space.

 

[Pioneer]

Why not wall mount it? Then you could use wall mount shelf standards and movable shelves from you favorite big box shop.
If you removed the shelf you'd have a bit more floor space.

To be honest I have not really thought about that. It would have to be some BIG shelf standards. That thing is heavyyy. I have it on a roller cart right now (which btw is a total nightmare to keep leveled) and I still have trouble moving it on my own when I decide to. Also, it just seems it would be harder to get everything aligned.

I guess I'll have to do a bit more research on this one.

 

[MartinP]

I think John meant to mount the enlarger on the wall (in which case you would need a solid wall of course!) and use the shelf idea for holding the easel. Alignment would need to be checked each time I suppose, but it can be done reasonably quickly as all you are changing is the baseboard.

I sometimes make enlargements of a small part of a neg by turning round the column of my enlarger to project on the floor, then use three door-stop wedges to level a chipboard 'baseboard' by using a laser-align tool, reflecting off the glass neg-carrier.

This method could be adapted neatly by using three thumb-screws under the 'baseboard', which itself would rest on the moveable shelf. Something to watch would be distance between the vertical axis of the lens and the shelving-frame, as that would set the limit on the enlarging ratio.

 

[Pioneer]

I see that Beseler does have a wall mount set for this enlarger. It is less expensive than the table. Has anyone done this and how did it work out?