building an 8x10 enlarger

[tribby]

Anyone out there built their own 8x10 enlarger? i know that Adam's had an overvi ew in his book, what are some of the problems you've encountered? I have drawn up plans to build one out of an old c-1 from old strings on this forum, thanks q uang-tuan, i envision it mounted to a tripod base which is attached to a large m etal toolbox with locking casters, and a light source bag bellowed to the back o f the camera that is secured to the top of the toolbox. I would like to use the camera for it's original purpose as well but can see a problem with removing the ground glass everytime i need to enlarge. I know this sounds complete but what light source? i hate cold light and want to make big prints, how do i secure ver tically designed condensers for a horizontal enlarger, are spare vert condensers cheap? And what about the light source, I'd like to buy one, but if i have to learn how to build and regulate and cool and diffuse a halogen source i will. I don't want to but i will. I've heard of using a aristo cold light source, but do es it put out enough light? I am desperately addicted to large format and am tir ed of contact prints only, also if any of you want to give a underpriviledged ph otog your used devere, eseco, or other such 10x10 it would be greatly appreciate d. hey i only live about 40 miles from eseco, do think i could find a factory re ject in their dumpster?

[tribby]

had to leave sorry, please leave suggestions here as i'm much too poor to have e-mail or a computer. This is a friends computer,Thank you.

[tribby]

oh yeah i meant to ask another diy question, how would i go about building a 52" inch p3x ilfochrome processor out of an old sock drawer and a bag of cheesey poofs? the big bag of course.. tah again, Tribby

[Sean Billy Bob Boy yates]

Aaaah, Triblett. It is good to know a person such as you is loose in the world!

[tribby]

hhhmmmm.....gosh, i never thought that might happen. jeez, that would be a problem, thanks for pointing that out SEAN. That is a design flaw. I don't know how I'll ever repay you. youv'e saved me countless hours and dollars. Sean Yates I am forever in your debt.

[Sean Billy Bob Boy yates]

"If we spirits have offended, think but this, and all is mended..." Sorry dude, just expressing appreciation for your evident sense of humor and seeming self parody...

[tribby]

Just a little friendly ribbing Sean, glad you appreciate it and see it for what it is "humor". Others, on other threads, have described it as villification. Although, I hope that the jist of the query is taken semi-seriously as this is my winter project and don't want to hack up my girlfriend out of boredom. Vivasections and villifications, Tribby son of Mummington

[Sean Billy Bob Boy yates]

Allllllllll ritey then.....

Try calling/writing Ron Wisner. For awhile he made/sold the Wisner Verbal Advantage, an adapter for his original 8 X 10 camera (called the classic, looks a lot like a wooden C-1, but better moves) which turned it into an enlarger. If he doesn't have any parts or originals left over, he may be willing to give you some advice. I once saw an add for someone selling the V.A. and a Deardorff adapted to take it. Why it was called Verbal I have no idea.

If you're committed to the DIY approach, you can ignore the following, but if you look hard enough, you'd be surprised how little an Elwood would cost, like $750.00 sometimes, depending on condition. If you've got the room for a horizontal, and don't want to do color, that'd be a cheap way to go. Could you afford a trip to Chicago with a pickup truck and a tarp? If so, lemme know, I may be able to help you locate one here-abouts.

Lastly, just curious, no axis or axes to grind, but why do you hate cold light?

[tribby]

Heeeeyyy, Deardorfenlander,Danke fur dem invite, I know a portrait photog with an elwood but he won't sell it to me. Mpex has a chasis but I was determined to build this'n off the shelf at Lowe's. Or, maybe I'll shoot up I-35 and see ya some time. Wizzy's made a 8x10 graflarger huh? Cool. Ohh, i dunno about the shit i say some times, maybe it's aesthetics, that wierd lookin cold stuff comin out of my buddies enlarger lens just dudn't look right. When i compare prints from my prehistoric condenser to his prehistoric c-light(same neg,d&p) the cold one seems dull, not flat, but like apx 25 or somethin, you know specular highlights are getting stepped on. Probably a paper problem,not the light, Expo G looks good at home and i can't expect the same from his and prefer mine. Don't have a densitometer, too poor you know, Besides i got one built-in(right eye transmission, left eye, well now, more of my blatherings. You know if you do find me a good deal on a elwood in the sweet home. Bluesy huh, I'll be followed by my usual wake of destruction,urine,spilt beer, and law enforcement types. So watch out! This web-thingy is weird, I wouldn't go around invitin' Okies like me up there, could get hairy. Especially if I run down to Matamorros and get JP. He's my pal, sssnnnnnnooooooorrrrrttt. Just kiddin, don't i wish. heller cool later

[Sean Billy Bob Boy yates]

Ya no, yew 'mahnd me uv uh guy ah new, wen ta TewLayn, magered in Porchewgeez EkNmaik histree, Spent uh LOTTUH tahm in BruhZil & Indeeyuh, Awl uv thu Seventies & uh gud bit uv thu ayteez. He wudn't reel tekniklee uhstewt tho' az yew seem tuh be. A'hll keep my nose, er ahz open fer sumpin' reel cheep up this-away. Hayv yew herd uh Darkrewm Aydz? They went owtta bidness & therz uh fella, bawt most uh they're stuff, A'hll give him uh kawl see wut heez got. Knock bak uh few kold wunz fer me!