I'm currently assembling a medium/large format enlarger out of the chassis
of a deVere 54 rescued from a dumpster. It lacked a light source so I fitted
a diffusion 5x4 head  (also dumpster, a different one) running on dichroic
bulbs, and it still lacks a lens panel - bellows there but not the bottom
element though the bellows adjuster shaft and handwheel are present.

   I'm about to make this latter panel from ally etc, but it brings me to
the question of where to fit Ilford Multigrade filters. No problem on my
35mm enlarger (condenser head MPP) as they just slot into the drawer
provided below the bulb. However this won't work on the deVere as the
filters are only 89 x 89mm so won't mask the diffusion glass.

   I've seen suggestions that filters can be slotted into the light path
below the negative. Obviously this slightly compromises sharpness, to stick
a layer of gel in the way of focussed glassware, but it seems the only way.
While I have the choice, which would be the optically better position: on
the lens mount just above the rear element of the lens, or in a slide-in
holder just below the bottom element of the lens, between lens and
baseboard? (And I know to check grain focus with the filter in position, to
avoid insertion effects). I can make mounts to suit either position.

   Were Multigrade filters ever made in sizes bigger than 89 x 89 so they
can be slid between light and neg, or indeed sandwiched with the neg between
the anti-Newton glasses? If so, where (in the UK) can they be got?

   Tony Clarke