Enlarger setup

[ChrisN]

Hi - question about setting up an enlarger: I have the option of mounting the enlarger column directly to the benchtop, which is very solid and rigid. Assuming the benchtop is wide/deep enough, is there a good reason not to do that? Alternately should I stick to using the attached baseboard? Why? I plan to brace the top of the column to the wall. The enlarger is a Durst Lab 1200.

[jeroldharter]

I think stabilizing the top of the column to the wall is more important than the benchtop/baseboard issue in terms of stability.

Unless you plan to use a drop table design for larger prints or your baseboard is too large/small for your circumstances I would keep it simple and use the baseboard. In either case, do your best to make sure that everything is vertical/level/aligned.

[Jerry Bodine]

Everyone's circumstance is different, of course. In mine, my darkroom is situated in the basement at garage level and has a cement floor. There is an interior wall in the basement (to create the darkroom), and the remainder of the basement has a door leading into the garage. The door would slam shut constantly with family traffic, sending a shock wave through the walls, so securing the enlarger to the wall was not an option. I chose instead to put the enlarger on a firm support, resting on the cement floor, not touching any wall. Then, to further isolate the enlarger from vibrations, I put a damper/closer on the door and set it so it would almost close but not latch. My opinion is that none of this effort is unwarranted, unless the environment requires placing the entire enlarger on a shock-isolated platform - really pricey.

[Bill_1856]

Try it first with the baseboard. If there's a problem, then you can attach it to the wall.

[ki6mf]

If you have the ceiling height mounting on the wall, usually to a sturdy metal plate, can give more height to do bigger images!

[Rick Levine]

I have a different style enlarger and decided early on to mount it to the wall. During construction of the building I added extra support by nailing 2x12 boards between the studs. This gives me the ability to print as large as 30x40 if I desire. I probably won't print that large but 20x24 will be easy. It just makes for a more flexible environment.

Here is my set up:

http://www.compupal.com/Darkroom/5.jpg

http://www.compupal.com/Darkroom/6.jpg

[ChrisN]

Thanks for sharing the good ideas, folks, and especially to Rick for posting the photos of your setup - that's quite impressive!