Enlarger on a freezer?

mehguy · Nov 28, 2016

As of now, I have a darkroom setup where I have my dry station on one side and wet side on the other.

my dry station is a freezer and the wet station is a small table with a few drawers to hold darkroom supplies. Now, I've been plopping my Durst M601 onto the freezer along with my timer and such. I'm worried if the freezer will be fine as my enlarger is quite heavy...

jimjm · Nov 28, 2016

I've no direct experience with this situation, but I'd worry more about any vibrations transmitted from the freezer's compressor.

bence8810 · Nov 28, 2016

Putting the enlarger on top of anything with a motor seems like a bad idea. Like the above post says, vibration may cause blurred prints.

Ben

pthornto · Nov 28, 2016

Yeah I agree with the other posters that vibrations from the compressor of the freezer would be a concern...you could probably just unplug the freezer for a couple hours at a time for a printing session if you really couldnt go elsewhere. You could also do a test with a large enlargement to see if fine detail is affected....maybe its fine for 5x7 but unacceptable for 8x10?

darkroommike · Nov 28, 2016

The freezer door seal is a bit springy, too. Might/might not transmit vibrations to the enlarger. You could wall mount your Durst over the freezer and use the freezer top as an enlarger base.

MattKing · Nov 28, 2016

darkroommike said:
The freezer door seal is a bit springy, too. Might/might not transmit vibrations to the enlarger. You could wall mount your Durst over the freezer and use the freezer top as an enlarger base.

If there is vibration, it would affect the easel, so wall mounting wouldn't solve that problem.
And the OP's enlarger is a vertical column Durst. If you wall mount it high enough to permit opening the freezer, it may be hard to reach during use.

Sirius Glass · Nov 28, 2016

darkroommike said:
The freezer door seal is a bit springy, too. Might/might not transmit vibrations to the enlarger. You could wall mount your Durst over the freezer and use the freezer top as an enlarger base.

Using the refrigerator as an enlarger base makes not sense at all. Any refrigeration vibration will shake the easel and the paper causing blurred prints.

mshchem · Nov 29, 2016

If you're freezer is vibrating you need a new freezer . I've worked in the refrigerator manufacturing industry since 1994. Freezers, especially manual defrost chest freezers shouldn't vibrate if you have the unit leveled correctly . I suppose you could get some contribution but unlikely to have much effect . Today's refrigerators produced for the mass market are super thin sheet metal . All the structure comes from the inner liner and outer wrapper adhering to the rigid polyurethane foam insulation . You may dent your door on the freezer the metal is that thin.
Best Regards Mike

Neal · Nov 29, 2016

Dear mehguy,

According to your post you've already been using the setup without issue. Personally I doubt the weight of an enlarger will cause problems but you can spread the weight around by employing anything from a layer of plywood to a structure that covers the door (in my mind you have a chest freezer). Maybe a table that hinges to the wall and swings up and out of the way when you need freezer access?

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

bdial · Nov 29, 2016

+1 on Neal's post, the enlarger isn't exactly light, but probably not heavy enough to do the freezer any damage.
As for vibration, you could do some tests with exposing when the compressor is operating and with it off and compare the results. Or else just time exposures for when the compressor isn't on.
Or, in theory, if the whole enlarger is vibrating together then it won't matter anyway (in theory).

Not an ideal situation, but few of us are fortunate enough to have an ideal darkroom, you do what you gotta do.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 29, 2016

mehguy said:
As of now, I have a darkroom setup where I have my dry station on one side and wet side on the other.

my dry station is a freezer and the wet station is a small table with a few drawers to hold darkroom supplies. Now, I've been plopping my Durst M601 onto the freezer along with my timer and such. I'm worried if the freezer will be fine as my enlarger is quite heavy...

I doubt there will be any issue

removed account4 · Nov 29, 2016

make a developing table with 2 small sawhorses and a sheet of plywood
you only need ot raise the enlarger 1/2" above your freezer if you are worried about it
have fun!

BobMarvin11225 · Nov 29, 2016

FWIW my enlarger sits on top of a gas dryer in my laundry room/darkroom. No damage to the dryer. Of course I don't print while the dryer is running.

DREW WILEY · Nov 29, 2016

Put some kind of rigid insulating board in between. Most freezers are prone to condensation on the lid. And remove the lens when not in use. Mildew
and mold risk. I sure wouldn't do it. But if you have no other choice, it's a lot better than no enlarger station at all !

Harry Stevens · Nov 29, 2016

I have had my enlarger (not heavy) on my new chest freezer biggest problem as been the bright green light and having to go in it to get things out...No problem with vibration actually no vibration at all. I would like a table but simply because of the blocked access to the freezer problem.

mshchem · Dec 1, 2016

DREW WILEY said:
Put some kind of rigid insulating board in between. Most freezers are prone to condensation on the lid. And remove the lens when not in use. Mildew
and mold risk. I sure wouldn't do it. But if you have no other choice, it's a lot better than no enlarger station at all !

Again if you have a freezer that "sweats" you need a new freezer . The lid is the least likely place to have enough of a thermal short circuit to condense water . If you do see any condensation on the freezer or cold water pipes you better get a dehumidifier going ASAP otherwise as Drew points out you will have big trouble . I have an idea get rid of the freezer and make a proper table . These new dehydrated foods that the survivalists use may be the ticket
Best Mike

DREW WILEY · Dec 2, 2016

I never knew freezers were used for food. I thought they were invented for storing film and color printing paper!

Sirius Glass · Dec 2, 2016

DREW WILEY said:
I never knew freezers were used for food. I thought they were invented for storing film and color printing paper!

You got that one right. Using it for food is just plain silly.

Enlarger on a freezer?

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