Moving with an enlarger-worth it?

pthornto · Jul 16, 2009

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice: I have a big move coming up, and am considering what to do with all my darkroom stuff. I plan on packing up the reels/tanks etc.. as this stuff is relatively light and packs well.

My question is whether it is worth packing up and bringing my enlarger, or whether I would be better off leaving it and picking up another in my new home? The enlarger I have is an older Besseler 67C with an extended column. It does alright, but I'm not particularly attached to it.

I'm moving to the midwest so I'm not sure about the availability of used photo gear there. Also, has anyone had a similar experience? Any thoughts on packing things (we're getting professional movers)?

Thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated!

Paul

Andrew Moxom · Jul 16, 2009

Paul, keep it.... I moved a few times with my Beseler 4x5 and it's held up well. Where in the midwest are you moving to?

Nick Zentena · Jul 16, 2009

If you have room in the truck take it. You won't get lots of money by selling it. If you find a new one after you move then decide if you want to keep it.

Small enlargers aren't hard to pack. I wouldn't worry about that.

MattKing · Jul 16, 2009

Paul:

My 67C has done a fair bit of travelling through British Columbia since I bought it in the late 1970s.

Is it the model with the single column? If so, it breaks down well and the column, baseboard and head can be packed separately.

You say you are moving to the "midwest". Does that mean in Canada, or the US? I would guess that there might be more choice of used replacements in the US.

Matt

Christopher Walrath · Jul 16, 2009

Wirelessly posted (BBBold: BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

I know you'll need to settle before you set up. But if it can be taken with you, why have the, albeit perhaps slight, hassle of chasing down a new (to you) unit later? Just my thinking.

pthornto · Jul 16, 2009

Thanks for the quick response!
I'm actually packing up stuff now...
I'm moving from Fredericton NB Canada to Kansas for a job at the University in Lawrence! It should be a fun experience, but I plan on being there only a couple of years.

I agree that the 67C seems to come apart pretty easy. My wife thinks I should pack it up and bring it as well! Now, any thoughts on packing, beside spit it up into parts and wrap everything with foam/paper?

Paul

archphoto · Jul 16, 2009

KEEP IT !!!!

I would anyway.
If your moving is done by profesionals keep an eye onto the enlarger or even better: do the packing your self !

You know this enlarger inside-out, if you get an other one you will be faced with re-alligning and what ever.
And at the new place you will have to see what you can get.

Peter

MattKing · Jul 16, 2009

Paul:

If you have the condensor head, I'd take out the condensors and pack them separately.

I'd also remove the lensboard and lens and pack it separately.

Same for the bulb.

The biggest concern with the column is that you don't want it bent in any way. If you can protect it in a large box that would be good.

Check that all the bolts and nuts aren't loose.

I'd pack the bolts that tighten the column to the baseboard separately, and take steps as well to protect the doo-hickey that clips the centre of the column to the baseboard prior to tightening the column down with the bolts.

Hope the move goes well.

Matt

Rick A · Jul 16, 2009

Hi Paul
You definitly want to keep it. It isnt hard to disassemble the unit into packable components. The largest part will be the column. Find a box that the column fits diagonally, and pack the rest of the parts around it. Definately place all bolts into their respective threaded holes, and any that need to, into a plastic bag TAPED to the column. Its a lot cheaper to take it with you, than hope you find another.
Rick

Sirius Glass · Jul 16, 2009

For all of the above reasons and advice. I say keep it.

Steve

c.w. · Jul 16, 2009

Picking up a used enlarger in the midwest is.... difficult. Especially outside larger cities. I eventually found a nice one at a (very) good price, but it took quite a while and about 600 miles of driving to get it.

Pack it.

GJA · Jul 16, 2009

I have a 67 and I agree it is small enough to pack.

The only way I wouldnt do that is if I found one on craigslist near your new home.

pthornto · Jul 16, 2009

Thanks everyone for the replies! Now I don't know why I was even considering not taking it.

Now I just have to get the thing packed up properly, but after it apart this afternoon I feel better about doing this.

Paul

Mike Wilde · Jul 17, 2009

I moved several times with a besalar 23. I used to make a custom box out of foam core board from and art supply store (it can be had as large as 4'x8') and packing tape for the column; I even kept it around for re-use for a few moves. I would pack the head in a large box otherwise that was stuffed with bundled up beach and bath towels. A sound shoe was used to housed the neg carriers, loupe, neg brush, assortment of bld dogers and all of the other emephera that seems to accumulate around an enlarger. Burning in masks and photo paper stock would get slid edge wise into the head box. A separate box moved the trays and wet side gear, and the safe light would get packed on top of that box.

This way at way, once I would get set up with a desk/bench to work on, I would open and unpack these few boxes and be ready to print again after making the room light tight.

I learned to pack a few towels in with my clothes so as to not start unpacking the darkroom before more day to day useful spaces like the kitchen was unpacked and set up first.

Rolleijoe · Jul 20, 2009

Moving with an enlarger can be quite a hassle, I've done it across the country & across the Pacific (twice)! I have 2 Omega 4x5 enlargers (D-3, and D-5XL Chromegatrol/chromagenic head/the works), and a small Omega B22 which I save as my "travel" enlarger. All have come out fine. The only hassle was realigning everything with the new setups.

I trust my enlargers, and they give me the results I prefer. Would never take a chance on "possibly" finding any other(s) at both the price I paid, and as complete as what I've got.

If you're just crossing a bit of dry land, pack it (or have it packed professionally), and enjoy it.

Sirius Glass · Jul 20, 2009

As Rolleijoe said, realignment and moving without damage are the two major concerns. However, once the enlarger is set up, you already know how to use it and have no learning curve. If instead you sell it and then you have to search, inspect, buy and move another enlarger. You are not even at square one because you have to move the new enlarger, align it and learn how to use it.

Yes, it is worth the hassle. Just tell your wife how much money you are saving by not selling it and not having to buy another one.

Steve

Moopheus · Jul 20, 2009

I just moved a D5XL, and I think it was worth the effort. Though I did have the advantage that I wasn't moving very far--I had the option of diassembling it and moving it myself in the back of my car and making a trip just to do that. I didn't have to put in a moving truck.

Moving with an enlarger-worth it?

pthornto

Andrew Moxom

Nick Zentena

MattKing

Moderator

Christopher Walrath

pthornto

archphoto

MattKing

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Rick A

Sirius Glass

c.w.

GJA

pthornto

Mike Wilde

Rolleijoe

Sirius Glass

Moopheus

Moving with an enlarger-worth it?

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