Help me align my Beseler 45mcrx enlarger!

I am trying to get an old enlarger aligned. It is an old Beseler 45, I believe the model is called an mcrx. I am using a "two mirror" method of doing and alignment. I am trying to get the negative stage in alignment first.

I found a small screw that allows me to adjust the levelness of the negative stage in and out toward the front and back of the enlarger, but I can't figure out how to level from left to right.

It might be hard to describe, but if anyone can give me instructions on adusting the other planes to be level, please leave a note!

Look on the back of the focus track. On the sliding part, there screws with springs attached. At least two (I don't remember very well) of these screws are the adjustment for l/r alignment and they are also the adjustment for wear in the slider. It's a very fiddly process to get the alignment right without leaving the slider too tight or too loose. If the wear plates in the slider are badly worn, it probably won't stay in alignment. I am basing this on my old 45M, which I'm sure uses the same chassis. Also, measure from the baseboard to the bottom cross member to make sure the gears on one side haven't jumped a tooth. It should measure the same on both sides at any given height. My 45M was worn pretty badly and I finally made an adjusting plate with screws to give l/r adjustment on the lens stage. That pretty much eliminated using tilt for perspective correction but I've never used it anyway. It sure makes life a lot easier. These are a good old nearly indestuctible enlarger, but alignment has always been a headache and not many know how to fix it. Good luck---

I upgraded my MX with Besler's adjustable lens stage. It's the only way to do this right because you've got the ability to adjust screws to alter L, R and front to back. Call Besler to order the kit yourself.

Dan said:

I upgraded my MX with Besler's adjustable lens stage. It's the only way to do this right because you've got the ability to adjust screws to alter L, R and front to back. Call Besler to order the kit yourself.

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Am I correct in assuming that the lens stage and negative carrier stage should be aligned independent of each other? I haven't tried aligning the lens stage yet. Last night I observed some kind of a detent, which I think adjusts the lateral alignment.

I am almost inclined to figure out some adjustment to the baseboard to correct for the negative carrier- might be easier.

I'd be interested in any additional comments from someone who has worked with these enlargers. Thanks for thre responses so far.

Don't know if this will help but I found this........

Jim

JMoore said:

Don't know if this will help but I found this........

Jim

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Wow! Thanks a ton! That pretty much spells it out step by step!
Can you guess what I'll be tinkering with tonight?