Dis-assembly of DURST Laborator 138 for storage.

[Bogdan Karasek]

Several years ago, I was given a Durst 5x7 Laborator 138 and all the necessary accessories, for enlarging from 35mm to 5x7 and everything in between. When I picked it up, I took it apart into three pieces, base, bottom column, and top column with head and fitted it into my Toyota Echo. I put it back together and now I want to put it away for a year while I expand my darkroom. Problem is, I can't seem to remove the top column and head. I consulted the manual, the section on assembling the enlarger, so I worked backwards and started to remove the top section

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I loosened the black knob on the left at the top of the base column and the clamp on the right. I tried to pull the top column section out of the bottom cylinder but nothing happens. What do I do Now????

Thanks!

[Ginette]

You do the right thing Bogdan but it is harder to pull out than to put onto!
First you can remove the grey head part, 4 Philips long screws under the head.
Then you can put the enlarger horizontally, it can be easier to pull out the upper column section. And it can help to have a second person to help you!

[Bogdan Karasek]

Are these the long Philips screws you are referring to to? Do I have to take out the 4 screws completely or just loosen them so that the head can slide out.

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Am I on the right path, Ginette?

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Those are the right screws. Loosening them should allow the head to slide out, you don't need to remove them.

[Bogdan Karasek]

Thanks Jason. Will get that done tomorrow morning.

[plaubel]

I can see that your head is on half flag only.
It's very important to bring him to the top before unscrewing anything.
The mechanics inside the rod has so much power that the rod may become something like a rocket.
Some years ago I stupidly knocked my wife with this rocket rod.
The other thing is that not bringing the head to the top after usage will result in a weakened spring inside.

For disassembling I would move the head first, like Ginette has said before; the 4 screws are directly under the head and they connect him with the negative unit.

For disassembling the two rods, you have to ensure that after removing all screws, the top rod is possible to move easily 360 degrees left/right .
If not, there must be another fixing screw.

Ritchie

[Bogdan Karasek]

Thanks for the input, Richie,but how do I bring the head to the top of the column? You mention "The mechanics of the rod......." which rod are you referring too???? the top column thaT holds the head? Bit confusing???? Could you please clarify your 1st paragraph! You seem to imply that there is a danger in removing the head.

Thanks!

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

The head assembly is not at the top of the column. You should raise it to the top of the column (as if you were making a bigger print) before you pull the head off. The springs are really powerful, and without the weight of the head and condensers can be dangerous. My wife also got attacked by it.

[Ginette]

Are these the long Philips screws you are referring to to? Do I have to take out the 4 screws completely or just loosen them so that the head can slide out.

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Am I on the right path, Ginette?

No, don't unscrew any screws on the colomn, only the black button and the L shape handle should be enough to slide the column out.
The 4 screws I told you is for removing the gray head part (where the mirror and lamp are) if you put the head fully UP and look with a flashlight, you will see the 4 screws under the head. Not an obligation to remove the head, just to remove fragile parts before putting the enlarger on ground.

Here some pictures I made in the past for my Durst 138 buyers. 148907 148908 148909 148910

[Ginette]

It will be easier to remount if you keep the top column that way.

[plaubel]

Ginette, your way is more easy, of course.
But imagine this:
The wire cable has to keep in position the complete head with all moving parts, and in my case 3 lenses. Let's say 15 Kg at all.
Disassembling and transporting means that you probably will grab the head, so if something moves, the rod will become the moving part.
The rod is lightweight comparished to the head; in loosing the black fixing knobs the rod becomes speedy and powerful.
I wouldn't go the easy way anymore.

Ritchie

[Ginette]

If the 2 head knobs are thighten, nothing supposed to move.
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The screw (8) near the L shape handle (6) need to be fully slack because this screw enter into a slot in the column.
If you cannot turn the head and the upper column when both #8 and #6 are supposed to be unscrew, it mean that the milled screw (8) is still engage in the slot of the column.
See point 2.4.2 of the assembling instructions http://www.durst-pro-usa.com/pdf/manual/L138S_manual.pdf
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I removed the upper section alone in the past. I removed all condensers, lens, carrier, lamp. I think I have removed each time the gray head, this part is not really heavy but I prefer to remove it to protect the fragile parts of the lamp ajustement mechanism. Once parts are removed, I lay down the whole enlarger on it back, the large legs keep the enlarger from turning. Grasp where the large head section (where the knobs for blocking the heads are located). Grasping the cable or the top coil is not a good idea. Lay down the enlarger make sense also in you are near your ceiling height, the column section overlapping, I don't remember exactly but probably at least 6".

[Bogdan Karasek]

It will be easier to remount if you keep the top column that way.

Salut Ginette; I got the enlarger apart; base, bottom column, top column, and the entire head. Thanks for the advice!