How do I align my LPL 6700 enlarger?

[kmallick]

I am setting up a LPL 6700 enlarger I recently bought used to make enlargements from 6x7. Its used but is in good shape and comes with the dichroic head. However, it didn't come with any manual. I could not locate a manual in pdf format anywhere on the internet either. Can someone please help me in figuring out how to align the different stages of the enlarger after it is attached to the baseboard?

I am assuming I need something like the Versalab's laser alignment tool to check the accuracy of how parallel the stages are. But I am new to this and I do not want to spend big bucks on a gadget like that before I get familiar with how to tweak the alignment. I hear suggestions of using mirror surfaces and negatives with scribes etc too. But is there any book or place where I can read up on some of these techniques? I am a visual guy (no pun intended) and some of these ideas are going above my head. 😡

I appreciate all the help and suggestions beforehand.

 

[keithdunlop]

Are you sure it actually needs alignment? I owned this exact model and found it was so well designed that it never went out of alignment.

I would make a few test prints first and make sure you need to anything at all.

 

[kmallick]

Keith,
Thanks. I trust you and many others on this forum who have mentioned in the past that this enlarger is hard to get out of alignment. I will take your advice and try making some prints. Since I did not have the manual, I think I was overly anxious and curious to find out if there were any screws to tweak for alignment.

 

[jim_jm]

I've had the LPL 670MXL Dichroic enlarger for a few years now, and never had any issues with alignment or build quality. I believe it's very similar to the one you have, but over the years they have had variations in the branding (LPL-Saunders, Saunders/LPL, LPL, Omega/LPL, etc) but they seem to all be similar in design and quality. The construction is very modular and unless it's been damaged it's unlikely to be out of alignment. The dichroic head is great for B/W multigrade paper as you can easily dial-in your filtration settings. This page has more info about it : http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2010/09/lpl-co.html
and OmegaBrandess is the current distributor for LPL:http://omegabrandess.com
You can also purchase manuals from KHB at http://www.khbphotografix.com/LPL/LPLmanuals.htm

It's a great enlarger, so have fun!

 

[kipkeston]

I think this is an enlarger that doesn't really need alignment. Make some prints !

 

[dof]

As suggested, I highly recommend making some test prints to check for alignment issues. I bought the same model 2nd hand and found out the hard way that yes, in spite of the build quality of the LPL, they can and do go out of alignment.

After researching the options, I wound up buying one of the Versalab laser alignment tools and did the set up myself. The instructions included with the unit were perfectly clear and the operation took about an hour to complete. It was an expense to be sure, but on the positive side I've had years of trouble-free operation from the enlarger since. For me, it was a good investment.

However your enlarger might be just fine as is!

 

[kmallick]

Thanks for all the suggestions, links and advice. I also ordered a copy of the manual. I will plan on doing a test drive with prints soon.

Sorry if it was not clear. But my question should have been: What 'knobs' can I tweak on the enlarger to get the alignment correct if I do need to adjust.

dof, I understand that you used the Versalab laser alignment. But what did you do on the enlarger itself to adjust the different stages or planes to make them level/parallel?

 

[dof]

@kmallick I discovered an error in my earlier response - I own the LPL D670 VCCE model. After doing a little research into this, the chassis of the two enlargers are actually quite different from one another. I'm not sure the info I have is actually relevant. But...

From memory, the head swivels for mural printing and adjusting the lock for horizontal configuration was key. Given that I've never made large prints, I simply tightened this down as much as possible. After a couple of checks within several weeks of the set up came up perfectly aligned, I haven't looked into it since then.

 

[dap]

I used to have a durst m605...supposedly another enlarger that did not need to be aligned due to the design. I used a Salthill aligning aid on it out of curiosity and found out that the negative stage was out of alignment. I ended up using some aluminum tape (from the hardware store) to shim the negative stage to bring it into alignment with the lens stage.

I have never used or examined a LPL up close, but if it doesn't have any adjustment points built in you'll probably have to use a similar type of tape to align the unit if it is out of adjustment.

In any case, use the unit before you end up shimming anything - it very well might be in perfect alignment already. If you suspect the alignment is wonky buy an alignment tool before you start making any adjustments. Any of the major alignment aids are worthwhile investments (versalab, Zig-align, Salthill tri-linear tool, etc) and far more accurate than using a small level.