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Enlarger work surface - maximum height?

jay moussy

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This winter, I need to really set up a darkroom.
One of the possible working surfaces is an old credenza, 37 " or 92 cm) tall.

Will be too high for basic, small-scale enlarging work?
 

John Koehrer

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Typically a standard cabinet height ~36" unless you don't have ceiling clearance.
 

MattKing

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How tall are you? When you stand and hold your hands out with the forearms level with the floor, how high above the floor are your hands?
 

wiltw

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You might consider being seated at your enlarger...minimizes the bending over at the waist, yet allows sufficient headroom to permit good size prints!
I used to put a 45X-XL enlarger on a somewhat low TV stand, it kept the weight off my feet while permitting the head to be elevated to its max even in a standard 8' room.
 
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jay moussy

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MattKing said:
How tall are you? When you stand and hold your hands out with the forearms level with the floor, how high above the floor are your hands?
Click to expand...

Good approach!

41" (versus my 37" planned work top)

Again this is for light use, not a production setup.

Separately, I could actually secure the enlarger column (vintage Dejur) to the wall, without any link to the work surface.
I also do not see ever enlarging beyond 8x10 maximum.
 

Neil Poulsen

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Whatever is comfortable and convenient. I made my own enlarger stand/table. The table top where the easel sits lays on a 12" spacer. If I need greater enlargement, I can remove the spacer and drop the table top down a foot. But, I tend to print on 8x10 paper, so I've never needed this option.
 

mshchem

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I would just start printing with what you have. Then when you build something more permanent it will suit your tastes. I built everything tall, to avoid back strain. I can't work sitting for very long.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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One issue is—what’s comfortable. The other issue is—what fits with the head all the way up at maximum height. If you put the enlarger higher, also remember you need to be able to reach the focus knob, neg carrier and other controls on the head, while you’re bent over looking at a grain focuser. I agree with the idea of going with what you have, and then adjust when you have some experience with the setup.
 

eddie

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jay moussy said:
I also do not see ever enlarging beyond 8x10 maximum.
Click to expand...
Famous last words...

Seriously, the advice given, to just start printing, is good. You'll figure out what works best for you as you go. Print now... tweak later.
 
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jay moussy

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I can drag enlarger in place now and do a fake practice run, using the D. Curtin book "Into your darkroom step by step", to make sure I do not miss any operation.

BTW, enlarger still need a crude homemade lens board made, so I have a few work sessions before firing it for real.
 

ic-racer

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jay moussy said:
This winter, I need to really set up a darkroom.
One of the possible working surfaces is an old credenza, 37 " or 92 cm) tall.

Will be too high for basic, small-scale enlarging work?
Click to expand...

Would need to know the distance from baseboard bottom to top of the enlarger head fully extended and the height of the ceiling, to know if that will work.
 

voceumana

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How high is your ceiling? I prefer a cabinet height a bit above standard, but it is a personal preference for comfort.
 
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jay moussy

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Fresh measurements:
Overall maximum height of enlarger 55 inches.
On a 37 inch table, that an overall 92 inches maximum.

Unfinished basement ceiling:
Floor to bottom of joists: 89 inches,
Free space between bottom of joists to above sub-floor 10 inches.
 

MattKing

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I have my Omega D6 on a large, very heavy, rollable cart.
The baseboard is at about knee level, because that permits the cart and enlarger to roll through a standard door frame.
On top of the baseboard is a moveable spacer much like Neil Poulsen describes above. In my case, the spacer has a wooden top big enough (just) for a 16x20 2 blade easel and a built in retractable drawer, where my timer and enlarger controls reside - extended when in use, but hidden away when not.
The cart and the spacer are made from modular chrome shelving parts, in some cases cut to size.
 

Tony-S

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Mine table top is 42" from the floor. I'm 6' tall and don't like bending over at all - just too tough on my back after an hour or so.
 
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