Durst M 601 Bellows Repair

[Devon Bradbury]

First of all, this is my first post, as I just joined yesterday. So, hello all!
And secondly, the focus knob that extends, and retracts the bellows is not functioning and, seeing that it's my sole colour head, I'd like to repair it. When I removed the screw and what I can only describe as a 'pressure plate' that seems to be crucial in its proper functioning, I noticed a significant amount of wear on a pin welded to this plate. Is this wear my problem? Or otherwise: help?

 

[Nige]

I had a M601 which sometimes slipped when focusing but never got bad enough to pull it apart and seek a fix. So, unfortunately I'm no use to you!

However, Welcome!

 

[ac12]

Run your fingers on the sliding mechanisms. I recall some of my older enlargers, the grease had dried and hardened, making focusing very stiff.
I cleaned off the old grease with rubbing alcohol (or any good solvent), and relubed with white lithium grease, and it was MUCH smoother.

But first, CAREFULLY inspect the enlarger. You need to figure out where to lube, and where NOT to lube. The manual unfortunately does not show this information. The parts that rely on FRICTION to work, you do NOT want to grease. Just clean these parts.

gud luk

 

[Ian Grant]

Welcome Devon, I'll have a look at my M601 later today (it's stored away). I rebuilt an older one a few years ago and from memory you just need to clean the parts and re-assemble, you need to tighten the pressure plate until the focus knob works smoothly, but don't over tighten.

While you're at it check the plastic friction screws that stop the head slipping, clean the tracks first, these screws are under the cover plate on the back of the height adjustment.

Ian