Saunders-Omega 16X20 4-bladed easel parts?

[Robert Langham]

Looking for replacement parts for 16X20 4-bladed easel. Needs a new arm adjustment part and air-shock. Anyone got a clue? I can't seem to google anything.

One of the knobs tightens on it's spindle, (with set screw), but the spindle free-wheels inside a bigger piece of metal and doesn't get any traction to go up and down the rail.

Thanks.

[David Swinnard]

I can't help with the spare parts, but mine too developed a lazy support arm after a few years. (this was back in the later '80s). I've been using my head to hold up the frame while inserting the paper since. Just seemed like a natural thing to do after getting whacked across the hands when the support arm still pretended it could hold the frame up, only to let go all of a sudden...

I still consider the outrageous amount of money it cost me in the early '80s to be one of my better darkroom investments. (it's lasted better than I have)

[Doremus Scudder]

Tiffen used to be the distributor for Saunders easels (they acquired the Saunders Group in 1998). However, I don't see any reference to Saunders products on their website anymore... If they are no longer the distributor, they would still likely know who is, so it may be worth contacting them. Or maybe someone here knows who is distributing these days.

Doremus

[Jerry Bodine]

Look this (http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-springs/=wwr8bo) over for a gas spring replacement and fittings. You may be able to find parts on this site to solve the spindle problem.

More here (http://www.mcmaster.com/#adjustable-dampers/=wwrfpb). Metric threaded hardware is easily found at Lowe's.

Dual-direction dampers here (http://www.mcmaster.com/#lid-dampers/=wwrjf6).