Focusing W/ Beseler 23cII

[ProfessorPlum]

Hello, I have a Beseler 23cII XL and recently the lower bellows (the ones that focus) sopped moving up and down when I would turn the knob. I popped open the back the look at the rod that is responsible for moving the bellows up and down but nothing looks stripped. Does anyone know what the problem is or where you can get a manual?

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I have one of these but haven't used it in a while. I think there's a tension adjustment, and yours is probably just loose.

 

[gainer]

I'll look at mine and see if I can figure it out. I don't use it much anymore as I have a dichroic next to it.

 

[mudman]

I have a copy of the manual. send me a message with your email and I'll send it to you.

 

[Alexander Ghaffari]

Hello mudman, may I have a copy as well? I have a copy, but it is too large of a file to email it to someone who asked me for a copy. If you sent one to me, I would forward it to that person.

Thanks,

Alexander

 

[mudman]

just send me a PM

 

[konakoa]

Inside the cover for the focuser is a rod with two metal wheels. Check that those aren't spinning on the focusing rod when you turn it. If they are, tighten the set screws on the wheels with a allen wrench.

Otherwise, the spring tension for the focus could be weak. It's easily adjusted; at the back of the focuser there are two strips of metal pushing against the rod that adjusts the focus. Tighten the four screws on these metal strips several turns. Check the focus. If it's too stiff, take some tension off the metal strips by backing the screws out. Replace the cover, and you're good to go!

 

[mikebarger]

Need any parts, let me know. I have a XL III waiting to go to the recycler, just haven't hauled it off yet. It looks like new.

Mike

 

[Alexander Ghaffari]

Hello mikebarger,

I need several parts for my enlarger. I need the crank elevation handle, the hex cell diffuser, focus knob with extension and screw (for the color head because it is wider), and one of those screws for the head (it holds my Dichro head on) that looks like a knob. Would you happen to be able to spare any of those parts?
Please let me know if you have any questions for me.

Thank you,

Alexander

 

[eli griggs]

Mike, I could use the mounting brackets for a dichro head, without the nobs, if you have them and wouldn't mind.

Cheers,
Eli

 

[Vaughn]

As Danny suggested, I suspect that those set screws on the wheels need tightening with an allen wrench. Happens occasionally to the wall of 23C's we have...and just this week to one of our Omega D5-XL's, too. The tension settings usually go out of adjustment slowly...while those set screws loosen up all at once.

Vaughn

 

[eli griggs]

Just keep in mind, as you make adjustments, not to force anything that screws in and out, most especially small allen screws.

On my 23c, the format adjustment knob screwhead holding it onto the shaft was so throughly stripped at first I thought it was an allen screw. Drilling it out was no big deal but I hate to think what it'd have been like getting a small allen screw drilled out without striping the threads. I've seen similar buggered parts on other enlargers before.

I may be way off base but it seems to me that the small metal fittings on some of these things is softer than it should be.

Eli

 

[mikebarger]

The one I have is not a color enlarger.

Crank spoken for.

Any of the color items the same on this B&W unit?

Mike

 

[mikebarger]

I told a lie, the enlarger is a II not a III. I went to storage to double check. Sorry for the confusion.

It's hell to get old.

Mike