I have been using my Versalab 16x20 print washer to wash 7x17 films. The washer is oversize for this size film: It uses a lot more water than necessary, and the films are very deep in the washer and must be fished out. So, using the Versalab siphon concept, I created a custom film washer for 7x17 films. ULF film washers are available (alistairinglis.com), but very expensive. I created this one for less than $50.
The tank is a planter I found at Home Depot. The slotted plastic insert, I made with Plexiglas I bought from the scrap bin at a local (Denver-area) plastics wholesaler. The insert is about 21” long and would handle 8x20 film, but the tank (aka planter) is not deep enough. Since I don’t have an 8x20 camera, it does not matter.
The water input to the washer if via a plastic hose connected to a piece of Pex tubing that has eight holes drilled to spray water into each of the eight film slots. The drain is via a siphon that removes the water from the other end of the tank. The large red “button” is a Drambuie cork securing the quick drain.
The outside of the insert is ¼” and 3/8” gray Plexiglas, and the dividers are 1/8” blue Plexiglas. (Buying from the scrap bin doesn’t give a great deal of color options.)
Quite frankly, I had a few construction quality issues and mistakes, but the washer works great and the price was great as well. Other than creating the design and gathering the materials, I had about four hours work into this. It helps to have a table saw and router table, of course.
The tank is a planter I found at Home Depot. The slotted plastic insert, I made with Plexiglas I bought from the scrap bin at a local (Denver-area) plastics wholesaler. The insert is about 21” long and would handle 8x20 film, but the tank (aka planter) is not deep enough. Since I don’t have an 8x20 camera, it does not matter.
The water input to the washer if via a plastic hose connected to a piece of Pex tubing that has eight holes drilled to spray water into each of the eight film slots. The drain is via a siphon that removes the water from the other end of the tank. The large red “button” is a Drambuie cork securing the quick drain.
The outside of the insert is ¼” and 3/8” gray Plexiglas, and the dividers are 1/8” blue Plexiglas. (Buying from the scrap bin doesn’t give a great deal of color options.)
Quite frankly, I had a few construction quality issues and mistakes, but the washer works great and the price was great as well. Other than creating the design and gathering the materials, I had about four hours work into this. It helps to have a table saw and router table, of course.
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