Moving De Vere Floor Enlarger

Hi All,

 

Well, I found a local college geting rid of their darkroom, and they have a

free standing De Vere 4x5 enlarger. I may not get a chance to see it before I

pick it up, and was hoping someone here can tell me what its dimensions are (to

see how big a car I need) and how to best take it apart. Thanks a lot,

 

GB

What use might a darkroom be to a college anyway?

Hi Gabriel, <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00BNog">this link</a> should help you out.

 

<p>Steve</p>

I forgot to say. I managed to get the 507 in a medium sized hatch-back, where the seats folded down for more transport space. The height of the column (which is the same chassis as the 504) is just under 86 inches.

 

Steve

Steve,

 

What's the size of the baseboard and legs, i.e. what's the enlargers footprint horizontally, and do you know if the floor version can be turned into a bench enlarge by simply removing the base? Thanks.

<p>The baseboard on my 507 is 42 inches wide by 32 inches deep (De Vere did do an extended version with a 42 x 64 inch baseboard; it was also 16 inches taller), the pedestal feet take less room (about 16 wide by 24ish deep). BTW the overall design height is 94 inches, this allows for the fact that the light heads project above the column at the head stage's highest extension.</p>

 

<p>To convert it to a bench mounted enlarger would take some engineering. As the baseboard and focussing controls are attached to the pedestal, and the drive for the head and focussing stages are driven from the pedestal's chain drive mechanism. If you did not need to use the drop-table for really large enlargements, you could probably fit storage underneath the table (the chain drives in the pedestal legs are to transmit the drive from the focussing wheels on the baseboard, to the drive cables in the column).</p>

 

<p>If you haven't seen one of the floor standing De Veres before there is a photo of the <a href="http://www.odyssey-sales.co.uk/products/browse.asp?range=72">507 DVF here</a>.</p>

 

<p>If you do have the room, and get the 504, you will find it a delight to use. They are extremely well made, and having the head height and focussing controls on the baseboard makes it very comfortable to use when getting critical focus. No having to reach above your head to get to the focussing controls. :^)</p>

 

<p>Steve</p>

I talked to the guy and it has the 32x42in baseboard, which is quite cramped for me. Am I right in thinking that I can use a smaller board?

The frame that supports the baseboard is somewhat smaller than the baseboard itself (if I remember correctly it is around 24 - 30 inches wide, I will measure it for you when I get home tonight), so you would be able to use a smaller size.

Hi Gabriel,

 

I have checked the baseboard mounting frame, and it is about 24 inches square. So if needs be, you could mount quite a dinky little baseboard, if pushed for space.

 

Steve