What to do? Omega D2XL to big for darkroom!

[tim_bessell]

Hi All,

I guess this is a funny question, but I need advice and ideas, please.

At the moment I have an Omega DII wo/VC head. I picked up a D2XL w/VC head and some extras real cheap. The D2 is in serviceable condition, just dusty. I like the added features and the ability to go very large, though that would probably be seldom. The D2 would have to sit on the floor, ummm... more like 6" off the floor. I shoot 135 and 4x5.

Some of my thoughts on a workable setup are:

1.) Swap heads, with the VC lamphouse on the DII and park the D2XL for a rainy day project.

2.) Mount the D2XL to the wall and build a (re)movable base on which to print.

3.) flea bay it.

Well, thanX for any and all suggestions.

Tim

 

[Toffle]

Nope.. that won't work. Send it to me.

 

[tim_bessell]

Tom,
Ok, I just vacuumed the dust out it, I will send the dust to Point Pelee, Canada in the morning. Need insurance?
Oh, wait, me thinks you were referring to item #3.

I like your sig, "point it here... then there..."

 

[BobNewYork]

Only one serious answer - remodel! You can't let excellent stuff like that go to waste!

Bob

 

[Toffle]

Tom,
Ok, I just vacuumed the dust out it, I will send the dust to Point Pelee, Canada in the morning. Need insurance?
Oh, wait, me thinks you were referring to item #3.

I like your sig, "point it here... then there..."

Welcome to APUG, by the way. There's lots of people here who can answer just about any question you can think of, and maybe a few you can't. There's remarkably few trolls, too, considering we are a very widely mixed bunch of photo geeks. (Actually, we don't consider ourselves geeks; to us, film is sexy.)

Cheers,

 

[tim_bessell]

Only one serious answer - remodel! You can't let excellent stuff like that go to waste!

Bob

Lets see, (with tape measure in hand, as he walks around basement darkroom illuminated by safelight) if I cut a hole in the ceiling here... No, no, that won't work. :rolleyes:

 

[tim_bessell]

ThanX for the welcome Tom.

I really should introduce myself on the appropriate forum someday. I am new here and one thing I noticed is that there seems to be no question that goes unanswered and no question to dumb to answer.

 

[David Brown]

2.) Mount the D2XL to the wall and build a (re)movable base on which to print.

This one.

 

[tim_bessell]

David,
Have any ideas on what material to use to mount it to the wall? I have some plated angle iron that has holes in it. I guess it wouldn't have to be much bigger than the cast base on the bottom, yes? Then attach also at the top.

Yeah, just find the Omega part, right.

 

[tim_bessell]

I just had a look at http://www.classic-enlargers.com/omega_d2v_enlarger.htm To quote Harry "the support column is 12-inches longer, making it possible to produce bigger enlargements on the baseboard. These are scarce items and command a premium price when available."

Maybe I should cut a hole in the ceiling.

 

[Vaughn]

snip...Maybe I should cut a hole in the ceiling.

That is what we did in our darkroom (actually was a false ceiling, so I just cut holes in the fiber board stuff).

Why not cut a hole in the ceiling? If and when you move, just put in a drywall patch, a little tape and liittle mud and it is a s good as new.

You may want to box it in to keep out dust from the attic.

vaughn

Note...not recommended if you have a floor above

 

[tim_bessell]

Unfortunately, my darkroom is in the basement. Cutting a hole in the false ceiling I have would only gain me 10 inches.

 

[harleyman7]

I cut out around a ceiling tile to make mine fit.

 

[Mark Fisher]

Swap heads and be happy. If it makes you crazy that you can't make those monster enlargements, wall mount it, build a table for the easel and be happy. Swapping heads will take about two minutes so that seems like a reasonable first step!

 

[tim_bessell]

Mark,
I think swapping heads will work for now, someday i'll get around to wall mounting it and make some monsters!

harleyman7,
That's really the way to go, a stand. By the way, what harley are you riding?

 

[harleyman7]

Tim, I have a 2004 Roadglide...going on 45,000 miles. BTW my enlarger is a 10x10 and the column is bolted to the base which sits on the floor. TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) closed their darkroom several years ago and I bought it for $150.

 

[richard ide]

"Lets see, (with tape measure in hand, as he walks around basement darkroom illuminated by safelight) if I cut a hole in the ceiling here... No, no, that won't work."

Oh yes it will. Been there, done that.

 

[tim_bessell]

harleyman7,

Sorry this is getting a little off topic.
I bought this new, a 2001 Heritage Springer, like it as much as the day I rode home from the dealer. Wish the weather was nicer here in the western NY. I only have 25000 miles on it.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~tbessell/Assets/Images/D2H_04255.jpg

 

[harleyman7]

Nice bike Tim.

 

[jeroldharter]

You did not mention the dimensions of your room. Would a drop table work? This is a photo of my setup.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

You wouldnt happen to have acoustic-tile ceilings, would you? that's what i've done in the past, just remove a tile. I taped a trash bag on the inside to prevent dust and crud from falling on the workspace. Otherwise, well. I've always liked the idea of having the enlarger on a low table so that I could sit in a comfortable work chair w/ wheels.. saves the knees. Great enlarger, i'm sure you can find a way to make it work. It's definitely worth it.

 

[Andrew A.]

Tim...I'll trade you your XL Rails for my regular rails + some cash to you ...a

 

[BobNewYork]

Did Andrew's wife catch him mid deal??

Bob

 

[Ole]

Just put it on the floor.

Put a small table on the baseboard for making normal-sized prints, and remove it for the really humpongous ones.

Mine is on the floor! Admittedly it's a Durst L138S, made to run on rails...

 

[tim_bessell]

After sleeping on it, I think I have a plan for a drop table.

What I have is a steel table that bolts together and is 32" high. It is in pieces, four legs, top, and bottom. Originally it was used for a drill press. I'm thinking I could make frames of angle iron the dimensions of the base board and bolt them in at the top, bottom, and somewhere in the middle. I could then use the original base board from the D2 and place it at any of these three positions. Of course it would still be bolted to the wall, at least at the top.

I would like to see more images a set up like this. if anyone has the time and could post detailed shots of their drop table it would greatly appreciated.

Comments are welcome. Thank you so much!