Some may know about this, but newer people may not (I didn't). Underlined words below are hyperlinks.
A gentleman designed a 3D print file for a stand that allows you to mount a picatinny laser on it so you can level your enlarger quickly and easily with a mirror. You can find his article here.
He gives instructions, but I am going to outline what I did below:
1) Go to thingverse and download the free 3D print file. It is free, but you can donate to the creator for his time and effort.
2) Either print the stand yourself, or have a printing service do it for you. I used Xometry and it was $23, but you may be able to find it cheaper. I do not use 3D print services, so I can't really recommend any. Xometry did fine and was relatively quick.
3) Go to Amazon and buy a cheap laser that mounts to a picatinny rail (for guns). I bought the "Pinty Compact Tactical Red Laser Sight" for $15. I am telling you which one I bought because I know it mounts and, once mounted, it appears to be dead center in the stand, which helps when aligning the laser. You can buy any cheap laser you want.
4) I mounted it to my pistol so that I could get the laser roughly zeroed in. I could have perfectly zeroed it in if I wanted to waste ammunition, but ammo happens to be very expensive at the moment. YOU CAN SKIP THIS STEP IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GUN.
5) Mount the laser to the 3D printed stand.
6) Set the laser on a flat surface and point it to a flat ceiling. The longer the distance (higher the ceiling), the better.
7) Spin the stand on the floor and observe the laser on the ceiling. Adjust the vertical and horizontal aim incrementally until the laser does not move on the ceiling when you rotate it.
Now you have a zeroed in laser level. All you need is a mirror, and you can level your enlarger(s) quickly. I find it really convenient and so much better than using rulers.
For instructions on leveling your specific enlarger, check The Naked Photographer's Youtube channel.
A gentleman designed a 3D print file for a stand that allows you to mount a picatinny laser on it so you can level your enlarger quickly and easily with a mirror. You can find his article here.
He gives instructions, but I am going to outline what I did below:
1) Go to thingverse and download the free 3D print file. It is free, but you can donate to the creator for his time and effort.
2) Either print the stand yourself, or have a printing service do it for you. I used Xometry and it was $23, but you may be able to find it cheaper. I do not use 3D print services, so I can't really recommend any. Xometry did fine and was relatively quick.
3) Go to Amazon and buy a cheap laser that mounts to a picatinny rail (for guns). I bought the "Pinty Compact Tactical Red Laser Sight" for $15. I am telling you which one I bought because I know it mounts and, once mounted, it appears to be dead center in the stand, which helps when aligning the laser. You can buy any cheap laser you want.
4) I mounted it to my pistol so that I could get the laser roughly zeroed in. I could have perfectly zeroed it in if I wanted to waste ammunition, but ammo happens to be very expensive at the moment. YOU CAN SKIP THIS STEP IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GUN.
5) Mount the laser to the 3D printed stand.
6) Set the laser on a flat surface and point it to a flat ceiling. The longer the distance (higher the ceiling), the better.
7) Spin the stand on the floor and observe the laser on the ceiling. Adjust the vertical and horizontal aim incrementally until the laser does not move on the ceiling when you rotate it.
Now you have a zeroed in laser level. All you need is a mirror, and you can level your enlarger(s) quickly. I find it really convenient and so much better than using rulers.
For instructions on leveling your specific enlarger, check The Naked Photographer's Youtube channel.