Crucial Part of Omega D2 Lift Arm Broken - Thoughts on How to Fix?

[dachyagel]

I just got an Omega D2 with a Chromega D Dichroic II head from a super nice retired photographer (really cool guy--he's 90!--who did weddings and had a studio back in the day).

The focus track had to be fixed, which I managed to do with my son's help (those pesky train wheels weren't where they were supposed to be), but I've got a larger problem, as pictured in the attached photo.

A part of the slotted lower lifting arm broke off at some point, probably when the older gentlemen's stepson was moving the englarger around.

As I'm thinking about getting a different head for this anyway since I'm currently just doing black and white work, was wondering if there are lifting arms out there I can buy as replacements or if anyone has any ideas on how to fix this.

[Mark Sampson]

KHB Photografix in Toronto is probably your best source for Omega parts. Other forum members may know of other vendors.

But don't change out that head- it's one of the best available for b/w, as well as color. You use the yellow and magenta filters to adjust contrast with VC papers.
When I was hired as the B/W printer at a custom lab in 1981, that enlarger was the tool of choice. I had three in my darkroom, along with an Omega with the condenser head. Guess one got the most use? And when I worked for Kodak, we had many of them in our small department.
I'd use one today for my personal work, although my current setup is adequate and I don't feel the need to change.
Best of luck!

[shelby_wright]

I just got an Omega D2 with a Chromega D Dichroic II head from a super nice retired photographer (really cool guy--he's 90!--who did weddings and had a studio back in the day).

The focus track had to be fixed, which I managed to do with my son's help (those pesky train wheels weren't where they were supposed to be), but I've got a larger problem, as pictured in the attached photo.

A part of the slotted lower lifting arm broke off at some point, probably when the older gentlemen's stepson was moving the englarger around.

As I'm thinking about getting a different head for this anyway since I'm currently just doing black and white work, was wondering if there are lifting arms out there I can buy as replacements or if anyone has any ideas on how to fix this.

If you were looking for a cheap and easy possible fix, you might be able to get away with JB Welding a metal washer with the same internal diameter as the remaining one onto the end of the broken one, it looks like there might be enough left to hold it. You'd then probably need to cut away the top part to match the other one so the head can slot in, if you know someone with a Dremel that should do the trick.

As Mark has said, many people like colour heads for B&W enlarging.

[Pieter]

It is not a very complex part, you should be able to make one from aluminum flat bar stock from the hardware store with some drilling and filing. It does not even need to be tapered.

[sharktooth]

I just had a look at my Omega to see what's going on. It looks like the upper lever does the lifting, and the lower one helps to keep the head oriented during the lift.

Both levers are linked by cross shafts to a similar pair of levers on the other side.

I'm guessing that the lack of a proper connection on the lower lever on one side won't have any major impact. You only need to lift when you insert or remove the film holder, so the rest of the time the head is just sitting on the film holder, and the lift mechanism isn't under any load. You could try it to see what happens. If it doesn't work then you could jury rig another piece of metal to make a fitting, as the others have suggested.

[sharktooth]

I put my money where my mouth is and took the screw out that attaches the lower lever to the head. It seems to lift O.K. without that connection.

[Robert Bowring]

You might try looking on eBay for a replacement. There is always a lot of enlarger parts for sale.

[dachyagel]

Yeah, after reading some more posts on it I realized everyone is right about the Chromega Dichroic. I still have to see if it works; the fan powered up without the timer connected, so I'm hopeful.

I did contact KHB, we'll see.

KHB Photografix in Toronto is probably your best source for Omega parts. Other forum members may know of other vendors.

But don't change out that head- it's one of the best available for b/w, as well as color. You use the yellow and magenta filters to adjust contrast with VC papers.
When I was hired as the B/W printer at a custom lab in 1981, that enlarger was the tool of choice. I had three in my darkroom, along with an Omega with the condenser head. Guess one got the most use? And when I worked for Kodak, we had many of them in our small department.
I'd use one today for my personal work, although my current setup is adequate and I don't feel the need to change.
Best of luck!

[dachyagel]

Yeah I may gotten lucky with the eBay search, waiting for the seller to send me a picture. Fingers crossed!

As always, thankful for the wealth of knowledge on this forum. I am 99% a lurker but when I have an LF problem I almost always find a solution in these pages.

You might try looking on eBay for a replacement. There is always a lot of enlarger parts for sale.

[dachyagel]

I'm not mechanically inclined but that's a good idea if the spare parts option falls through, thank you.

It is not a very complex part, you should be able to make one from aluminum flat bar stock from the hardware store with some drilling and filing. It does not even need to be tapered.