How does one dismantle and put together a really large and heavy Saltzman enlarger?

[Andy F]

I need to move a 8x10 Saltzman enlarger out of someones home. The movers said they would not touch it because it is too heavy so I am going to have to take it apart. This scares the heck out of me because it tends to be easy to take something apart but really difficult to put it back together. I need to somehow remove the base and take apart the counter weights. Does anyone have any experience doing this. Are there any instructions out there on how to do it? Any help would be greatful.

[Tin Can]

I moved a partly dismantled Saltzman twice and still have it

Show a picture of your problem

a few here moved them completely assembled, a really bad idea

[jperrins]

I have some large Durst Laborator enlargers that I had to bring upstairs. I used a strap cart rated for 600 lbs and hauled them up the stairs. I had to remove some parts to accommodate the width of the stairwell and I removed the head from the enlarger. It still weighed in at 150 lbs and my biggest problem was with the height of the enlarger; the column was about 7 1/2 ft high. It is now in a room with 9 ft ceilings and I can take full advantage of the projection capabilities of this enlarger. It also has the ability to do horizontal projection by placing it on rails.
If you are taking something apart, take photos of it as you proceed so that you know how to put it back together.

Sincerely,

John

[Tin Can]

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?100996-Free-Saltzman-8x10-Enlarger&p=999398&viewfull=1#post999398

Pictures and I will talk

[ic-racer]

This person made a wooden frame to assist moving.

214988

[Andy F]

I think I need to take the chain off and remove the counterweights also I may need to remove the bolts at the bottom. Did you do this? I think if I remove the base all of the gears come undone. How hard would it be to put back together. How hard is it to put the chain back on?

[Andy F]

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?100996-Free-Saltzman-8x10-Enlarger&p=999398&viewfull=1#post999398

Pictures and I will talk

Hi Tin Can. How could I talk to you? Also, I do not see any pictures. Do you have directions on how to do it?

[Tin Can]

Before I answer I want a picture of YOUR Saltzman

Talking is no good, writing is easier to remember for you

Learn how to post a picture on this forum, like below, my Saltzman is in storage in pieces in my shed

Here is my smallest 5X7 Elwood, which I can pick up off the floor, barely! Notice the 2 tiny enlargers next to it

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51121002357_0dff76fe97_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kTouYn)IMG-1572 (https://flic.kr/p/2kTouYn) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr



Hi Tin Can. How could I talk to you? Also, I do not see any pictures. Do you have directions on how to do it?

[Dugan]

Try looking up "drayage" in the yellow pages near you.

[ic-racer]

Some Saltzman pictures I found
215010

[Leszek Vogt]

No idea how beastly is this enlarger, but I had to move a real nice bandsaw (750lbs in horiz position) appx year ago and only two furniture dollys were used. The truck had a real nice heavy duty lift gate on it. Lifting it onto each dolly was done via this massive belt.....one person on each side lifting with shoulders. Stairs will complicate things. Hope this would be of some help.

Les

[Andy F]

215012

This is an image of the type of Saltzman I am moving. I have to figure how to take apart the counterweights and base. The head has already been taken apart.

[Tin Can]

The lamp head is off, the bellows assembly is also easy in one unit

Yours is just like mine, the smallest 10x10

Get 2 car jack stands first, I prefer the cast iron type as they have a wider saddle

If you have a forklift that makes it easy with web slings, do not use a cherry picker, a portable horizontal hoist may be handy, you can rent them

Crank the weights to the lowest

My weights are 20 lbs each, X 6

They have a hole the chain runs through to a hook, making a 120 lb stack, yours may have more

The SS pipe is very heavy all by itself, If you have the top cap, preserve it now, they are rare

Strip the bottom table off completely so it doesn't get damaged

My has 2 parts stacked

I suggest you get 3 strong guys with gloves and steel toe boots

and tip it down onto the jack stands

But the base is not square at the rear, so block it up with wood so it won't tip away

Then unbolt the cast iron column socket from the base

Which requires removing the hand wheels first, mark them as they can be exchanged and will screw you up

Disconnect the chain plate

I had a hard time getting the gummed up weights out

So I used a good 2X4 x 8 ft to hammer them out, with a 4 lb hammer

If stairs are used, remember the bottom guy has a far heavier load

I may have forgotten something, it's been maybe 6 years

Good luck and thanks for the picture

ps I read the story of the 2 post Saltzman move in one piece, they had a real hard time







I

[Andy F]

The lamp head is off, the bellows assembly is also easy in one unit

Yours is just like mine, the smallest 10x10

Get 2 car jack stands first, I prefer the cast iron type as they have a wider saddle

If you have a forklift that makes it easy with web slings, do not use a cherry picker, a portable horizontal hoist may be handy, you can rent them

Crank the weights to the lowest

My weights are 20 lbs each, X 6

They have a hole the chain runs through to a hook, making a 120 lb stack, yours may have more

The SS pipe is very heavy all by itself, If you have the top cap, preserve it now, they are rare

Strip the bottom table off completely so it doesn't get damaged

My has 2 parts stacked

I suggest you get 3 strong guys with gloves and steel toe boots

and tip it down onto the jack stands

But the base is not square at the rear, so block it up with wood so it won't tip away

Then unbolt the cast iron column socket from the base

Which requires removing the hand wheels first, mark them as they can be exchanged and will screw you up

Disconnect the chain plate

I had a hard time getting the gummed up weights out

So I used a good 2X4 x 8 ft to hammer them out, with a 4 lb hammer

If stairs are used, remember the bottom guy has a far heavier load

I may have forgotten something, it's been maybe 6 years

Good luck and thanks for the picture

ps I read the story of the 2 post Saltzman move in one piece, they had a real hard time



I

Hi Tin Can,

I have a lot of questions. Part of the problem is that the enlarger is not in front of me it is at the other person's house. I will just ask the first few. You said something about "disconnect the chain plate". Do you mean just take apart the chain? I assume "chain plate" refers to part of the chain the rivets go into. Is it difficult to put the chain back. I assume you are not breaking it first. It just slips off? Also, how hard is it to put the gears and counter weights back.

[Tin Can]

No need to 'break' the chain, or push the chain link pins like a bicycle

The chain is connected to the 'traveler' which rides outside on the chrome tube, then it goes over a fixed rolling gear at the very top, then goes down the tube inside and through lead weight donut holes where it fastens to a worm drive gear

Where is this thing, is the last user/owner no longer available?

I am far better at mechanics when I have the thing in hand rather than telling somebody else how to do it, with unknown skills

Get back next to it with a good cell phone camera with flash and shoot every angle, part and particularly underneath

Ever change the engine on a car? Same skills


Keep it coming!

[Michael R]

Off topic but

nice Focomat.


Before I answer I want a picture of YOUR Saltzman

Talking is no good, writing is easier to remember for you

Learn how to post a picture on this forum, like below, my Saltzman is in storage in pieces in my shed

Here is my smallest 5X7 Elwood, which I can pick up off the floor, barely! Notice the 2 tiny enlargers next to it

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51121002357_0dff76fe97_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kTouYn)IMG-1572 (https://flic.kr/p/2kTouYn) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Andy F]

I have some photos that were sent over. He wrote "Surveying how to dismantle it, there are 5 bolts, a pin, and one Allen key to remove or loosen. You and I will do that. " My fear that while it is easy to take a car apart putting it together is much harder. So I am trying to take this slow.215096215097215098215099

I may try to video tape it. Thank you so much for your help. I bought this thing and I desperately don't want to turn it into trash. Would you be willing to do a google call so I can show it to you and get your advice? Feel free to say no. I know the request is a bit of a random imposition.

Once again thanks.

[Tin Can]

Andy, I am very aware that many cannot reassemble a spoon, those that can break bolts

Sounds like the seller is very cooperative, not always the case

We will talk on cell phone when you are ready

I will PM you my email shortly

The 3 complicated 10X10 enlargers I moved twice all came to me in bits, puzzles

FOTAR, Calumet, Saltzman

2 8X10 Elwoods, they are simple yet heavy like the rest

My wall mount 10X10 Beseler conversion was also easy, this weak old man hung it on the wall with a boat winch


Lastly I want us to continue documenting your Saltsman adventure in this thread, not secret PM




I have some photos that were sent over. He wrote "Surveying how to dismantle it, there are 5 bolts, a pin, and one Allen key to remove or loosen. You and I will do that. " My fear that while it is easy to take a car apart putting it together is much harder. So I am trying to take this slow.215096215097215098215099

I may try to video tape it. Thank you so much for your help. I bought this thing and I desperately don't want to turn it into trash. Would you be willing to do a google call so I can show it to you and get your advice? Feel free to say no. I know the request is a bit of a random imposition.

Once again thanks.

[Andy F]

Andy, I am very aware that many cannot reassemble a spoon, those that can break bolts

Sounds like the seller is very cooperative, not always the case

We will talk on cell phone when you are ready

I will PM you my email shortly

The 3 complicated 10X10 enlargers I moved twice all came to me in bits, puzzles

FOTAR, Calumet, Saltzman

2 8X10 Elwoods, they are simple yet heavy like the rest

My wall mount 10X10 Beseler conversion was also easy, this weak old man hung it on the wall with a boat winch


Lastly I want us to continue documenting your Saltsman adventure in this thread, not secret PM


Thank you so much. This is so nice of you. But just to let you know I am rather new to the forum so I don't know what "PM" means or how to do it.... Sorry.

[Tin Can]

PM means Private Message

Look that up in your forum settings

And set it up





Thank you so much. This is so nice of you. But just to let you know I am rather new to the forum so I don't know what "PM" means or how to do it.... Sorry.

[Andy F]

Hi Everyone,

We tried to take apart the enlarger today. We were able to unscrew the bolts that connected the base of the enlarger to the steel shaft but then we got stuck. The focusing knob connects to a rod that rises parallel with the giant steel column. If you look at this old picture you will see that the rod connects to a set of gears. To remove the gears from the rod we have to take out a pin. The problem is that we can not get the pin out. We are so close to dismantling it but so far away. This pin is just incredibly stuck. It might be soldered on. Please take a look at the videos. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Photograph of gears:



This video shows the dilemma we are dealing with. We removed the base but can not remove the focusing rod:
https://youtu.be/yUimP9cuYEo
This is a video of us looking for the pin: https://youtu.be/xrAyVknW-iE

This video shows our first (sloppy) attempt at trying to knock out the pin. Overtime we got a better angle on it but we still could not knock it out: https://youtu.be/H_ZRLihUKws


This is what the pin looks like. I don’t think we can remove the gears before we remove it. Also we may not need to remove the gears if it connects to the focusing rod we might just need to remove the rod: https://youtu.be/lnzZ2mW7fHg

[Andy F]

Hi Everyone,

We tried to take apart the enlarger today. We were able to unscrew the bolts that connected the base of the enlarger to the steel shaft but then we got stuck. The focusing knob connects to a rod that rises parallel with the giant steel column. If you look at this old picture you will see that the rod connects to a set of gears. To remove the gears from the rod we have to take out a pin. The problem is that we can not get the pin out. We are so close to dismantling it but so far away. This pin is just incredibly stuck. It might be soldered on. Please take a look at the videos. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Photograph of gears: 215372



This video shows the dilemma we are dealing with. We removed the base but can not remove the focusing rod: https://youtu.be/yUimP9cuYEo

This is a video of us looking for the pin: https://youtu.be/xrAyVknW-iE

This video shows our first (sloppy) attempt at trying to knock out the pin. Overtime we got a better angle on it but we still could not knock it out:
https://youtu.be/H_ZRLihUKws


This is what the pin looks like. I don’t think we can remove the gears before we remove it. Also we may not need to remove the gears if it connects to the focusing rod we might just need to remove the rod: https://youtu.be/lnzZ2mW7fHg

[Tin Can]

Going to my shed to look see

[Tin Can]

Yup, as I already wrote in an email to you

I NOW recall it was a Pain to remove, I believe I used proper tools to do it, a pin drift with brass hammer

and it took a while laying on the floor working upside down

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51147575580_b7740270a8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kVJGgo)Salzman Bevel Drive (https://flic.kr/p/2kVJGgo) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Tin Can]

Safety g00gles must be used!


To add to the fun, they fog up all the time

[Andy F]

Hi Everyone,

We hit bust with trying to remove the pins. We are looking at cutting the focusing rod. I HATE this idea. The pin seems to be made of harden steel. We tried to hammer it out and we tried to drill it out. So far no luck. If anyone else has an idea let me know. I hate the idea of cutting the focusing rod because I can't imagine that fixing the rod won't cause problems later. I am feeling a little desperate here. I do not want to break parts of the Saltzman as I move it. Any advice would be helpful.

-Andy

[Ernest MacMillan]

Hi Everyone,

We hit bust with trying to remove the pins. We are looking at cutting the focusing rod. I HATE this idea. The pin seems to be made of harden steel. We tried to hammer it out and we tried to drill it out. So far no luck. If anyone else has an idea let me know. I hate the idea of cutting the focusing rod because I can't imagine that fixing the rod won't cause problems later. I am feeling a little desperate here. I do not want to break parts of the Saltzman as I move it. Any advice would be helpful.

-Andy

Some pins only remove from one direction as they are slightly tapered. Try both sides if possible before giving up, and I second the suggestion to use a pin punch and a small hammer

[seall]

I would not advise drilling out the pin because you run the risk of damage to the shaft or gear. That being siad, if you do have to drill it out try a cobalt drill.

[Tin Can]

I told him that this morning in email


Some pins only remove from one direction as they are slightly tapered. Try both sides if possible before giving up, and I second the suggestion to use a pin punch and a small hammer

[Tin Can]

Pictures of MY Saltzman I already sent to OP this morning

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51176237561_e6b80b0a69_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kYgAtt)Salt 3 (https://flic.kr/p/2kYgAtt) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51175555792_940161952a_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kYd6NQ)Salt 2 (https://flic.kr/p/2kYd6NQ) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51175554537_d746fa41c3_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kYd6rc)Salt 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2kYd6rc) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[seall]

Think it needs a little WD40 around each end of the pin then left to soak overnight then a copper & hide hammer with punch as suggested.