Restoring a enlarger negative carrier

[IanG]

I recently acquired an old Ensign (Houghtons) enlarger, its negative carrier is fine but I now have a second. I bought a bundle of camera bits for 99p ($1.50) plus postage which more likely came from a City Sale & Exchange (Salex) enlarger, the bonus was a good Whole plate book-form plate holder which was worth the postage.

The negative carrier is interesting as it should have a geared adjuster to rotate the plate between landscape and portrait. A very simiular looking negato=ve carrier has been listed along with the enlarger a 8x10 Crown / Graflex RB Enlarging Camera here.

This is my carrier:







I guess my questions really are does anyone have images of anything similar, I think I can locate a pinion but what should the wheel/knob look like ?

Ian

[Leigh]

General observations regarding gearing:
When any two gears mate, they must have the same tooth dimensions to work properly.

In the English system of measurement these are defined by the number of teeth per inch on the pressure circle.
The corresponding metric dimension uses the term "module", but I'm not familiar with the details.

The other important factor is the pressure angle of the tooth.
For two gears to work together, they must have the same pressure angle.
It is very difficult to measure this value, particularly with small teeth.

In short, you have a significant challenge before you.

I would suggest contacting a good machine shop, one that specializes in prototyping rather than production.

- Leigh

[IanG]

Challenges are fun Leigh, I'm not in a hurry. I'll get there some how or other and if needed can call on good enginnering companies. Good points though.

Took me over a year to get the bits I needed for my Super Graphics restoration, there's no spares in the UK as very few were ever imported.

Ian