Anyone ever make a large copy stand? How did it turn out?

[Daniel D. Teoli Jr.]

I have a large collection of historic full-size front-page headline newspapers in the collection. I haven't counted them, but maybe there are 1200 to 1600 pages I have a smaller Kaiser copy stand that goes up to 40 inches. But I need a stand that goes to 60 inches or thereabouts for the newspapers. 

Large format Kaiser copy stands are stupendous in price. This motorized stand is $16K

Here is an interesting idea for a cheap copy stand. But it is too small for my use. If it was upscaled and could handle a heavy camera it would be great for the cost. This is like $200. Just depends on how steady it is. Every Kaiser stand I've used is rock steady! And it is not that I just need to do a half ass job with the digitization as many people do. I don't like to sign my name to shitty work. Any archival work I do has to be top shelf or as close to possible to top shelf as the budget allows. We never know when out work will be the last extant copy for the historical record. 

 

 

I was thinking something like this square pipe rig could be made with 2-inch round galvanized pipe. But attaching the camera has to be figured out. Have you ever made a large format copy stand? I also need a vacuum easel. Years ago, I had built a vacuum frame for some copy stand work I was doing, but it is too small for newspapers. 

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Selection from Twenty-six Roadkills (2014) artist's book by Daniel D. Teoli Jr.

Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Archival Collection
Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Small Gauge Film Archive
Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Advertising Archive
Daniel D. Teoli Jr. VHS Video Archive
Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Popular Culture Archive
Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Audio Archive
Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Social Documentary Photography

 

 

 

[Daniel D. Teoli Jr.]

B&H has another option...

Nice concept, but too small and I wonder how it would do for steadiness. The big boy Kaiser stand weight 284 pounds. This stand is 9 pounds. 

 

 

Kaiser sells columns separately. This is a 60 inch column. Same as what I have, but mine is 40 inches. 

 

Edited June 16 by Daniel D. Teoli Jr.