"Mike" wrote in message
.. .
Got myself 2 12x12" mirrors for $3 and scratched off a 1" circle on one to
align.

I easily adjusted the front-to-back negative stage alignment with the
screw
at the bottom of the focussing rails.

However I couldn't find any screws for left-to-right negative stage
adjustment. So I cut up a plastic 35mm container and used it as shims in
between the baseboard and the column. I'm very close to perfectly aligned
(but not perfect). Is another way to align in this direction?



Mike,

The bracket that holds the whole head to the carriage with the large steel
pin (the pivot point to tilt the head to horizontal projection) is the key
to getting left and right alignment of the negative stage. I hat to pull
the pin and remove the head so I could modify this bracket. What I needed
to do was to remove the bracket and enlarge the holes in the bracket to give
me a bit of room. I just drilled them bigger, but no too big. Don't need
that much play and you don't want to weaken the bracket by removing too much
material.

Use good steel washers and new hardware to replace the existing screws
that hold this bracket to the carriage. I used cap screws (the kind you use
with an allen wrench). Made it easier to get at when everything is
reassembled.

Now, to adjust right to left of the negative stage, loosen one (or both)
so the screws and you can twist the head a couple of degrees to get your
alignment. I don't have to tell you to tighten the screws, but who knows
who else is reading this:~).

One other thing, replace the plastic screw below the lens stage. Use a
good metal screw.

Jim