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Repairing an Omega D5500 height adjustment

mesaboogie

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I got this enlarger free last year and am now just getting around to repairing it. The head seems to work fine, and I have that removed already. I am trying to figure out how to get into the lift mechanism. The fine height adjustment knobs just spin freely. I see there is a repair kit for sale at KHB for $189 CAD, which I am willing to invest in, but I want to see what I am replacing first. I ordered a manual but that won't be here for a while.
Do I need to remove the whole platform with the guide rails and bellows? I am hesitant to go too much further without the parts manual or guidance since that platform is under some kind of spring pressure since it can now raise up under its own power when I unlock it with the head unit off.
 
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mesaboogie

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If I take the plate off on the top of the tower, will the whole platform lift up and off? And will anything related to the mechanism pop off on me?
 

ic-racer

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I did a complete write-up with many pictures. Can't recall which forum, will check and post back...
 

ic-racer

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I found the pictures and re-posted them to APUG at this link: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
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mesaboogie

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ic-racer said:
I found the pictures and re-posted them to APUG at this link: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
Click to expand...
Wow. Thank you so much. A lot of things just clicked for me.
 

paul ron

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thats a wonderful photo documentation of a complete overhaul.
 
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mesaboogie

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ic-racer said:
I found the pictures and re-posted them to APUG at this link: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
Click to expand...
I am not sure what you did to get the plastic handle off the side. Maybe I am missing something in that picture but I don't see what the trick is for that. Mine appears to have the side a little different and is a flat piece. Yours looks like ribs and a center area where maybe a screw is?

Also, any idea if the main brakes are worn and should be changed while I have it off, or if this little peice is off something? It's all by itself and the same size as the brakes, just like a sliver or wedge. It fell out and I don't see any residual left over where it might have been attached.

But these pictures have been super helpful. Again thank you.
 

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ic-racer

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mesaboogie can you post a picture of the knob in question.
Did you see that I first unscrewed #20 (mine was stuck and I busted one but got a replacement) You see that I used anti-seize compound when I re-assembled it.



15 9-145-0350 BRAKE PAD
17 9-301-0240 BRAKE PAD, SUPPORT

This is the best diagram I have. Brake is two pieces, a support and the pad (17 and 15).
 
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mesaboogie

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I could, but I am trying to get part 20 off of 18 without breaking anything.
 

ic-racer

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Ok so #20 is screwed on to the end of shaft #14. You see in picture #14 that I used a 'Jar Opener' or 'stuck filter remover' and a large pliers to grab the shaft from inside. I did break one of them getting it off, but back in 2000 I got a new one from Omega.
 
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mesaboogie

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Got it. Vice grip and a pliers. A few bite marks on the plastic but that's life. That thing was on tight. Now to get the roll pin out lol. I will leave that for another day.
 
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mesaboogie

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What type of O-ring did you use? I found those rubber feet at Ace but there was nothing close to the right size o-rings. I am guessing a 3/16" wall with ID of about 1" would do it.
 
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mesaboogie

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Got my o-rings in. So far so good. Haven't reassembled everything yet, but the fine elevation adjustments are working now. Not sure how long they will last but $8 in parts was better than $150 to get this thing up and running.
 
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mesaboogie

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Total let down. For some reason the carriage is not as flat as when I started. Now it's leaning to the right. I can see the rear nut for the top wheel that rides the column is not sitting the same way it was when I started. I think I might have bent the counter balance spring when I was taking it apart. I didn't brace it the first time before I saw IC Racers pictures, and it fell inwards a few inches.
I have a feeling maybe they are causing it to tug and sit wrong since they are pressing against the roller wheels.
Anyone have any thoughts aside from buying a new counter balance spring kit?
That nut used to sit at 9 o'clock, not its dead center. It goes to 9 when I press on the side of the carriage, and that makes it appear to be straight, but it isn't staying like that.
 

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mesaboogie

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This is why we block off the counter balance spring before removing the carriage from the column.... Ugh.... I removed the spring and the carriage rides fine now on there. So now I need a new spring. Not cheap.
 

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Aidan Sciortino

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Hate to bump an old thread but the old APUG thread has been removed. I just got one of these, if you’ve still got a procedure around I’d love to read it, if not I’ll muddle through and make my own thread when I figure it out.

MODERATOR'S EDIT: I'll flag this for the attention of @ic-racer - perhaps he will be able to re-post the photos.
 
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