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Durst 1200 Enlarger - New spring adjustment

andrel23

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Hello all,

I searched in the forum discussion and could not find anything.

I just replaced the leveling spring on this enlarger.
It's going fine except when I release the brake, the spring is lifting the color head up with a good tension. The brake needs to be quite hard to hold it up still. I have the CLS500 head on it.

* My question is how can I adjust the tension of the spring to have a good balance between the head moving up and down to prevent it from going upward too much easily?

** I would also need to replace the drive pinion. Any places carry those parts in Canada or US?

Thanks for your input
 
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Philippe-Georges

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The colour head is to light as the spring system is made to hold a much heavier B&W condensor head, I have a Durst 138G and encountering the same problem I simply added an extra (work out-) weight to compensate...
 

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Philippe-Georges said:
The colour head is to light as the spring system is made to hold a much heavier B&W condensor head, I have a Durst 138G and encountering the same problem I simply added an extra (work out-) weight to compensate...
Click to expand...
This is not so. L1200 was meant to handle any head it has on it. There is a tension adjustment, but I have not gone into mine for that yet. There is some info on it, I think on Photrio in a thread not exactly related directly, but talks about L1200.

As for pinion, I am unaware new old stock is still available, but there is someone who 3D prints both, rack & pinion parts, sells them on ebay. I think he is in Italy.
 

MARTIE

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I believe there are counter-balance weights specified for each of the L1200 heads and I know I've seen and got some metal plates somewhere...
I will try to locate things when I have more time. However, in the meantime, I would certainly try to ease the tension on the locking mechanism.
 

Philippe-Georges

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I was talking about the 138G (see photo), which has only one tension spring. According to the at the time distributor, working on that system demanded knowledge and specific tools.
So, I didn't work on it and simply added some extra wight, but now I returned to a condensor head...

 

Deleted member 88956

You might be right on this one. I am new to L1200, still resting for eventual set up. The box that encloses spring appears big enough to accept some off-set weights inside it. Looks easy enough to open the cover and check.
 
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andrel23

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Philippe-Georges: Nice setup you have there!

I have a tad newer version of the 138 also. I had a good price on this 1200, so this is why I went along with it.
Yes, obviously, I know the color head is a bit too light, but I wanted to try to adjust it if it was easy to get trough it.
Thanks for your time and answer

Martie: Thanks for the follow up

VTLD: Thanks!
 
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andrel23

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*** If ever one of you come up with a 'Pinion' STL 3D file, It would be great. Meanwhile, I wrote to Durst USA. We'll see.

I've added 15 pounds counter wheights under the spring case and it's leveling up nicely.

Thank you and happy new year!
 

Luis-F-S

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andrel23 said:
*** If ever one of you come up with a 'Pinion' STL 3D file, It would be great. Meanwhile, I wrote to Durst USA. We'll see.
Click to expand...

I believe the owner passed over a year ago. L
 

Deleted member 88956

andrel23 said:
*** If ever one of you come up with a 'Pinion' STL 3D file, It would be great. Meanwhile, I wrote to Durst USA. We'll see.

I've added 15 pounds counter wheights under the spring case and it's leveling up nicely.

Thank you and happy new year!
Click to expand...

15 pounds ? Does not sound right even if it fixes your issue. I'll have to look around as I believe there is a tension adjustment (if box has no place for weight plates), but so far no luck finding that discussion.

Which version of L1200 do you have? There are basically two, one has shorter column and no fine upper focus (one on left side), and then longer column (135 cm I think) and fine focus with extension rod.
 

MARTIE

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Okay here is some info. The metal plate has the following specifications; 12cmx15cm and a weight of 560g.
 

MARTIE

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I've only found the German version so far explaining the number of metal plates for the enlarger head changes but hopefully it will be clear enough...

 

MARTIE

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Here's from the English manual.
 
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andrel23

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The one I have is the longer column with the extension focus rod
The color head installed on it is the CLS500
I could try a lighter counter weights just to check out but right know, it's fairly balanced.
Without any counter weights when I was releasing the locking brake, the head was kicking up a bit. I had to hold it back.

thanks for your answer
 

Deleted member 88956

According to official adjustment routine posted by @MARTIE CLS500 (501 is practically same head) is the heaviest of all (I had it wrong/backwards in my last post, so in your case there is something wrong. Does spring box have ANY weight plates inside?
 
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andrel23

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MARTIE said:
Here's from the English manual.
View attachment 294394
Click to expand...


Wow thanks a lot Marti for this research! You have found the proper way to do it (Technically Durst way)
I would have to buy some plates to level it but removing the screws of the rear spring casing means to remove the spring in the same time. I don't feel like going trough this mission once again. I guess, for now, keeping the counter weights added to the back will be my solution.

All the best to you guys!
 
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andrel23

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No it's clear. Nothing inside

I bought this spring from someone who took it from a 1200. It fairly new
 
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Deleted member 88956

andrel23 said:
I would have to buy some plates to level it but removing the screws of the rear spring casing means to remove the spring in the same time
Click to expand...
Does not look like yo need to drop spring to add weights. I have not played with mine yet, but it appears cover needs to come off only and spring is not in play when doing this routine. Cover looks completely separate form spring attachment to column.
 

MARTIE

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From what I can make out, changing metal plates should be routine and not involve any expertise.
However, a counter-weight is a counter-weight so however it is achieved is better than nothing.
 

MARTIE

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I have 4x L1200's up and running in my darkroom; VLS 501, CLS 501, B+W Femokit and Multigraph. All came from first owners, bought new, hence no need to change heads!
 

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Stock plates are a neat fit though and they simple enough to make if one does not have them. Their individual weight doe snot have to be exact as original.

@MARTIE can you measure thickness of the plate as well? In case I need to make some, it will be easy to find correct stock plate.
 

MARTIE

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The plate thickness is exactly 4mm
 
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