Omega D2 Alignment Tool

That's the one I have. It calls for an "alignment tool" which appears to be a small level on the end of straight edge of sorts.
But, basically, it's just a level.
How do you D_ users do your alignment?
 
Save yourself the trouble and just spring for the Versalab. I used to STRUGGLE with alignment issues at every darkroom I used especially at the newspaper darkroom with 3 enlargers all different! The Omega D2 was the hardest and I made the mistake of thinking I could get the alignment better with the bubble aligner as well a series of bubble levels. I was a wrong 22 year old! Took me a better part of a week to get it as good as I had it. When I got a versalab for my own personal use I went back to that old enlarger and it took me less than 5 minutes to instantly see and adjust perfect. Best 145.00 I spent at the time! I think it's gone up but I still think it is worth whatever they charge now.
Its a good design and stays in its own alignment very well. It looks very simple which it is and think that's why it works well. I put a lithium AA cell in it and I struggle to recall if I ever changed it.
 
For any enlarger use a Versalab Parallel and then check the corners of a projected negative with a Peak Critical Grain Magnifier.

Marty
 
I'm not opposed to buying the Versalab, but right now I'm still buying lenses and neg carriers.
In the absence of/before the Versalab, what did you use?
 
Would an app on your iPhone work?

I see several of them in the app store and several are free.

The link to the device shows a cost of $220.00 plus $15 for shipping. To me a lot of money unless you’re going to use it a lot.

Truth be known, I’ve never aligned my B-22. Maybe I’m missing something?
 
What sort of app?
I was thinking, temporarily at least, that I would level my baseboard with a bubble level and 3 door shims. Then lay a small level(for the accurate straight edge) across the lens stage while the condenser housing is off and put a bubble level on that level. Then make adjustment. Then repeat for the negative stage.
 
I typed in “level” with search in the app store.

Some are free while others have a cost.

Just a thought to help and maybe work. If it’s free you can’t beat the cost.

My son had a level app on his iPhone and we used it to hang framed pictures on the wall.

I also see apps available that can measure, room size as an example, with an iPhone.
 
Unless something was bent in shipping you shouldn't have to re align the enlarger. Your DOF at f8 or f11 is quite large. Typically you run into problems w/ warped base boards and printing easels, but 4 small levels, a carpenters square (or even a tape measure) will get you in the ballpark initially. You need a grain focuser that's easy for your eyes. My Magna Sight allows use of both eyes, and you can stand well away from the print when using it.
 
Nothing was bent but I basically took it apart to clean it, so I figure I might as well align it.
I'm not going to buy budget lenses, so a little later in the game I might buy the above alignment tool to assure the sharpest print possible. But, right now I just want to align per the service manual.
I have levels. I was mostly trying to confirm that the Omega Akugnment tool was basically just a level of sorts.
 
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