Source for Ilford 500 head heat absorbing glass

[Jeff Bannow]

The heat absorbing glass (at least, I think that's what it is) has broken in transit. Is it easy to replace this? It's a pretty small piece - there are actually two pieces per bulb, and only one of these broke on one side. It's about the size of a microscope slide, maybe smaller.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

You too. I have one with broken HA glass as well. They are 30x15x2mm. I could use a few pieces as well.

 

[benjiboy]

The heat absorbing glass (at least, I think that's what it is) has broken in transit. Is it easy to replace this? It's a pretty small piece - there are actually two pieces per bulb, and only one of these broke on one side. It's about the size of a microscope slide, maybe smaller.

I don't know if this link will be any help http://www.ilfordphoto.com/photocommunity/forums/theforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7165

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Most HA glass for the Beselers and Omega is much thicker. I also believe it's tempered and has to be cut to size before it is tempered. I tried KBH with no luck. One place I've found might be http://www.newportglass.com/ but I haven't contacted them yet and know nothing about them but it looks like they might do small orders.

I ended up finding a new head and decided to use it. I had to remove the lamp assembly to change the spacer from one to the other so it should not be too difficult to replace the glass. The filter assembly is held together with a couple bolts.

 

[Ian C]

It’s far more likely to break from thermal shock than physical trauma. If the HA filter gets too hot it can break. Any blow to the head strong enough to damage the HA filter should be obvious to the outside of the unit.

The Surplus Shed has small HA glass filters that are reasonably priced. Type “heat absorbing glass” into the subject line to see what’s available.

http://www.surplusshed.com/search.cfm

You could also buy a larger HA glass for a Beseler or Omega enlarger on eBay fairly cheaply and cut what you need. These show up often for modest prices. The Beseler HA glass filters I've measured are 1/8” in thickness.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Thanks all. Can anyone confirm if cutting down a larger piece will work or not?

 

[removed account4]

when my glass was broken or lost ( omega d3v )
i went to a glass place nearby to me, he gave me (sold me)
another piece. from what he told me, it is a type of glass that
most glass places have. this was 25 years ago, unless things have
changed try a local glass place ...

john

 

[ic-racer]

Edmund optics carries heat absorbing glass in various sizes. 51mm x 51mm is $13

 

[Bob Carnie]

Focal Point in Florida may be a good source, I use them for all my enlarger glass

 

[Marco B]

The heat absorbing glass (at least, I think that's what it is) has broken in transit. Is it easy to replace this? It's a pretty small piece - there are actually two pieces per bulb, and only one of these broke on one side. It's about the size of a microscope slide, maybe smaller.

Are you absolutely sure this needs replacement? Is there a broken piece missing? If not, like you already noted, the HA filters come in two pieces per bulb, so in effect, they are already "broken". That might not be an issue though, and unless there is a piece missing or the HA filter can no longer be held in place in this condition (IDK), I doubt one further breakage would influence its function.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Are you absolutely sure this needs replacement? Is there a broken piece missing? If not, like you already noted, the HA filters come in two pieces per bulb, so in effect, they are already "broken". That might not be an issue though, and unless there is a piece missing or the HA filter can no longer be held in place in this condition (IDK), I doubt one further breakage would influence its function.

Well, it fell out of the enlarger head when I opened it.

On the right side of the head, one of the two pieces is intact and the other split down the middle. The two parts were floating around inside the head.

 

[Marco B]

Edmund optics carries heat absorbing glass in various sizes. 51mm x 51mm is $13

You mean the Schott KG Glass types listed here as heat absorbing glass?:

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One thing that is a little bit confusing is that Schott seems to make 4 grades of heat absorbing glass (KG1,2,3 and KG5). Looking at the transmission graphs, it seems the lower the number, the higher the transmission, but also the wider the transmission curve and the further it extends in the direction of near infrared.









From http://www.optical-filters.com/heatabsorbing.html

And this graph from the Schott glass webpage:

 

[George Nova Scotia]

The glass Edmund sells is 3mm thick. The glass in the Ilford head is 2mm, in fact mine measured 1.8mm. It fits in a channel in a metal frame. I havn't measured then channel but I suspect you really need the 2mm.

George

 

[Jeff Bannow]

While we are on the topic, anyone know a source for the color filters? Mine are OK for now, so it's more curiosity.

 

[ic-racer]

I'm not sure how your glass fits in the holder but being broken in two pieces may not be that much of a functional problem. For example, the heat absorbing glass in the 500W Bolex projector is 4 individual rectangular pieces.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

My piece is 15m x 30mm x 2mm. I might be able to put it back in somehow - it's a clean break. Not sure.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

My piece is 15m x 30mm x 2mm. I might be able to put it back in somehow - it's a clean break. Not sure.

Jeff that is the full size of the HA glass. On each side there are two pieces. First out from lamp are the two pieces of HA glass (forming a square) then the filter is one piece. Why the HA glass is in two pieces I have no idea. The metal frame that holds them is split in the middle and held together with two bolts. The lamp/filter assembly is held onto the back bracket by two bolts as well. They are screwed into bracket - there is no nut on the back to come loose, but there might be some washers and depending on the setup square tube which acts as a standoff.

Mine on the other hand is truly broken, and one side missing completely.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Mine is also broken - I have two pieces about 15x15, plus another 15x30 piece still in the enlarger.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Mine is also broken - I have two pieces about 15x15, plus another 15x30 piece still in the enlarger.

Sorry, sometimes hard to keep everything straight. It might be worth a try putting them back in --- but maybe not. Just had a look. The glass fits in grooves only on the sides, there doesn't seem to be much support on the top or bottom. I wonder if there is any type of glue that could be used and stand the heat.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Sorry, sometimes hard to keep everything straight. It might be worth a try putting them back in --- but maybe not. Just had a look. The glass fits in grooves only on the sides, there doesn't seem to be much support on the top or bottom. I wonder if there is any type of glue that could be used and stand the heat.

No worries.

I think I may have to try that if I fail to find a replacement. I'm still hopeful though that I will find the right part.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

I too am hopeful. On the off chance I just sent an email to RH Designs. They make a timer, maybe they know where the spare parts are.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

We can hope, eh?

 

[DAP]

While we are on the topic, anyone know a source for the color filters? Mine are OK for now, so it's more curiosity.

In the US color filters can be obtained from Ross Tabacoff at RT photo repair (at least they could as of 2 years ago). I don't know how he obtained the stuff but he seems to have quite a bit of spare parts for the ilford 500 system (I bought a blue filter and a mixing box from him). Unfortunately, at the time, he did not have any heat shielding glass. His email was pretzelride@yahoo.com at the time I bought the spare parts.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Thanks - I'll give him a try.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

I received a reply from RH Designs this morning. They suggested:

Your best bet is probably Lightwave:

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Or maybe MrCad

http://mrcad.co.uk/shop/home.php

As a start I've emailed lightwave....