Kaiser VCP 7000 problem

[Macaroni]

Hello, I'm new to this website but not to analog photography.
So i have recently got a hold of a Kaiser VCP 7000. It's focusing knob is a bit faulty. Whenever i try to focus with it by moving the knob it rarely actually does anything and rather just stands still. If i try to aid the movement with my hand it moves but it isnt very precise that way.
Now im thinking about opening it up and taking a peek inside. Has anyone ever done anything similar? Should i just give up or is this a solvable problem?

 

[albada]

Hello, I'm new to this website but not to analog photography.
So i have recently got a hold of a Kaiser VCP 7000. It's focusing knob is a bit faulty. Whenever i try to focus with it by moving the knob it rarely actually does anything and rather just stands still. If i try to aid the movement with my hand it moves but it isnt very precise that way.
Now im thinking about opening it up and taking a peek inside. Has anyone ever done anything similar? Should i just give up or is this a solvable problem?

Welcome to Photrio!
I don't have this model of enlarger, but its manual states that focus is a "friction drive system". It is likely that there is too little friction to move the lens.
You might be able to tighten a screw or nut to increase friction. If that fails, you will need to disassemble the focus mechanism to see how you can increase friction.
Based on the manual, this looks like a good enlarger. I hope you can fix this problem.
Mark Overton

 

[AgX]

Some friction drives have rubberized drive wheels. The surface of such can harden over time, wiping or grinding off such surface can bring back friction.

 

[Macaroni]

Welcome to Photrio!
I don't have this model of enlarger, but its manual states that focus is a "friction drive system". It is likely that there is too little friction to move the lens.
You might be able to tighten a screw or nut to increase friction. If that fails, you will need to disassemble the focus mechanism to see how you can increase friction.
Based on the manual, this looks like a good enlarger. I hope you can fix this problem.
Mark Overton

Thank you very much for encouraging me to go ahead, man up, and open the enlarger. Had to open it up from the bottom up, and was pleasantly surprised that the colour filter mechanism and the majority of the electronics detached in one part, making it easy for me to access the mechanical movement that manages the focus. I have fully disassembled it, cleaned it up, and now that i put it back together it moves without any problems. Thanks again.
Arne B

 

[Macaroni]

Some friction drives have rubberized drive wheels. The surface of such can harden over time, wiping or grinding off such surface can bring back friction.

Thank you for the insight. However, the friction drives inside of this enlarger seem to be made out of some kind of metal and coated in a paste that i'm guessing increases friction, making it so that the drive can move the rod.

 

[albada]

Thank you very much for encouraging me to go ahead, man up, and open the enlarger. Had to open it up from the bottom up, and was pleasantly surprised that the colour filter mechanism and the majority of the electronics detached in one part, making it easy for me to access the mechanical movement that manages the focus. I have fully disassembled it, cleaned it up, and now that i put it back together it moves without any problems. Thanks again.
Arne B

"Man up." I'm surprised that phrase is known in Europe.
Anyway, I'm glad you were able to fix the problem.