Saltzman 8X10 Enlarger PROBLEM

[wildbillbugman]

Hello,
I recently obtained this monster for shiping cost from NH to CA. The donater could not and cannot find the weights and chains that go into the post and counter-balance the head. The head movement is controled by a crank attached to the chains that are attached to the weights. The chains, I am told are only bicycle chains and can be easily replaced. But the weights are special. If anyone has experience with this kind of enlarger, I could sure use some suggestions. I do not even know what the weights look like or how many there are or what the weight of each is supposed to be.
Thanks,
Bill

 

[PHOTOTONE]

I have a Saltzman camera stand, which I believe is identical in the counterbalance situation. My Saltzman stand does not have a crank, but rather a friction knob attached to the rising and falling head, you loosen up this knob and just raise or lower the head (camera mount, or enlarger head). The weight that runs inside the column..you say it is missing? Or is it inside with no chains attached? Photos would help. I don't see how a weight would be "special" except it is shaped to fit inside the center column. You "could" make a new weight out of lead, which melts at reasonably low temperatures (for metal) of about 550 f.

If your enlarger has a crank, it would operate on a toothed portion of the column, I cannot envision any way a crank would do any good on the chains.

Now my Saltzman STAND is on casters, and there is a crank attached to a chain that runs between each foot of the stand and you crank THAT chain to lower feet to the ground to stop the stand from rolling around..but this system has nothing to do with rising and lowering of the head.

 

[wildbillbugman]

Hi Phototone,
The column is holow. There are no weights inside. At one end of the column are toothed wheels which,I presume, hold the chains that are attached to the weights.
This assembly raises and lowers the lighthead.
It dose look like I will have to make my own weights.
But I will try to get some pictures so we will be on the same page.
Not all of these machines are the same. Unfortunately, the pictures I have of Saltzmans are of a similar machine, not of the one I have.
Thank you for your willingness to advise.
Regards,
Bill

 

[rknewcomb]

I had a 5x7 Saltzman enlarger. It had two weights inside the column - one above the other. They were the same shape as the inside of the column and just a little smaller in diameter. The upper weight had a hook in the lower end to which the lower weight attached. They were made of potmetal or cement and were very greased up so they slide well inside the column. You want just enough weight to counterbalance the weight of the head.
Robert N.

 

[ic-racer]

Do you have this link (Saltzman catalog)? http://www.digoliardi.net/saltz_cat/

Also, these Saltzman pictures may be of some assistance.