Zone VI enlarger repair

[LKT]

I have a Zone VI type 2 5x7 enlarger with a VC head. It worked fine, the usual complaints about long exposure notwithstanding.

I moved house recently and when I set up the darkroom again, I found a problem. The enlarger head is raised and lowered by a gear and track mechanism. The gears (I saw when I took the head apart) is made of metal, but the tracks of plastic. The movers have crushed part of the plastic track and now the head gets stuck when it gets to that part of the track.

Is there any way to repair this? Any idea on where I can find replacement parts? As far as I know, Zone VI has folded, and I can not find anything about it on the Calumet web site.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Ka Tai

 

[bdial]

Zone VI got bought by Calumet. Try calling their technical service department http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?ac.ui.pn=compinfo.CompAboutUs&topic=ContactUs

If that doesn't work Richard Ritter may be able to, you can find him at http://www.lg4mat.net/

 

[LKT]

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I have sent messages to them both.

The problem is, I am based in Hong Kong, so it may not be easy to ship the enlarger to the US for repair. I hope there is a way to find the parts and instructions for me to do it here.

Ka Tai

 

[TimVermont]

Calumet frequently has Zone Vi parts on e*ay, here is a type two chassis (250420030467), so you may just want to watch for what you need.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

There is a good chance the rack is a standard part. Try googling for plastic/nylon gear rack.

 

[mgb74]

Nicholas makes a very good point. It would have made sense to use an "off the shelf" gear and track. One possibility, if you can't find the proper track, is to replace both the gear and the track.

For example, gear racks here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#gear-racks/=1uanj0

 

[Mike Wilde]

I had a beselar 23 that had the same sort of woe. I took the track apart and reversed it, so that the problem of pinion gear slipping over non existent plastic rack teeth only occured when the head was at the very top of the column, which did not happen often. I recall there was some drilling of new bolts required, but the fix was otherwise free, and the enlarger served me well for many years after that fix.

 

[LKT]

Thank you for the very useful suggestions.

I wrote to Calumet and got a prompt response asking for specifics of the enlarger. Hopefully, they will have the tracks in stock. It may be cheaper to buy from the McMasters web site, but I am sure it will work coming from Calumet.

I shall see what they can do for me first.

Thank you once again for the ideas.

Ka Tai

 

[voceumana]

I'm pretty sure Zone VI used an industry standard plastic chain design for this part. If Calumet doesn't stock it, Richard Ritter probably remembers the specs.

Charlie