Diffuser mod for Omega B-600: possible?

[ProfessorC1983]

On a whim I recently acquired a very heavily used Omega B-600 which turned out to be in quite poor condition and I've slowly been restoring to working order. The condenser lenses are in so-so shape, a bit fogged, and the aluminum housing that holds them is somewhat bent, such that it's difficult to get even illumination across the negative.

Since the cost of replacing the condenser unit would be more than I paid for the enlarger itself and this is just a fun side project during quarantine, I'm wondering: would it be possible to just replace the condenser stage entirely with some kind of diffusion material? Wouldn't need to be perfect. And since I'm using an LED light source, heat is not an issue. Any ideas?

 

[ic-racer]

I'd keep the condensers and use some diffusion sheet (Rosco) under the condensers. I believe that the below condenser location is where the Durst diffusion conversion panel is placed.

I saw a b600 condenser set on ebay for $20.

 

[Paul Howell]

A few years I noticed that the condenser on my D3 was developing a little haze, cleaned it up with 3M glass polishing compound, found it on line. As my condenser is not coated no issues with cleaning it up.

 

[ProfessorC1983]

I'd keep the condensers and use some diffusion sheet (Rosco) under the condensers.

Thanks! Any tips on which Rosco product would be the best to use? Seems there are multiple options.

And I definitely appreciate all of the suggestions to clean/replace/re-use the existing condenser, but really my goal here is to satisfy curiosity about whether I could eliminate the condenser glass entirely by replacing it with diffuser material, and if so, which would be the best to use.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a Federal Stow Away enlarger (6X9) from the 40s or early 50s, it's a diffusion enlarger, uses very thick opal glass, and what I think is interesting a clear light bulb. I exposed a sheet of 8X10 paper without a negative, even exposurer across the frame. The prints I've made with it are all even, no hot spots from the exposed filament. I think the trick is find the right density opal glass and match it with the right bulb.