Anyone know of Steve Anchell cookbook formula for "sticky easel"?

keithostertag · Oct 24, 2021

Some years ago I read in one of Steve Anchell's "The Darkroom Cookbook" a recipe/formula for something I believe he called a "sticky easel"- it was a coating made with Karo syrup and hardener (and other stuff) that when properly mixed and applied to a surface would allow you to temporarily "stick" a photo paper flat on that surface (as in under the enlarger or even on the wall). The surface would remain sticky for a long time, and you could reuse it over and over. The stickiness would not transfer onto the back of the paper.

I believe the recipe was in his The Darkroom Cookbook, but I no longer have a copy. I can see online that it does not seem to appear in the 3rd edition. I'm thinking it was in the first edition.

Anyone have a first edition you could check for me?

Thanks,
Keith

Don_ih · Oct 24, 2021

Formula #202 second edition

500ml water
60 g gelatin
60 g corn syrup
60 g glycerin
1.1 g chrom alum
water to 1 litre

Mix water, syrup, glycerin. Soak the gelatin in that mixture 10 minutes. Warm it to 52 degrees Celsius. Let it set 15 to 30 minutes while occasionally stirring.
Dissolve alum in 60ml water. Add to the mix. Add remaining water and strain through a cheesecloth.

Keep the stuff heated until you've finished applying coats to the easel, since it cannot be remelted once set. He says several thin coats work best. And the stickiness will last longer if you cover it with wax paper or sheet plastic.

keithostertag · Oct 24, 2021

Thanks very much Don for taking the time to provide the formula and directions for us!

Andrew O'Neill · Oct 24, 2021

Easier to just use synthetic bicycle chain lube. I use it on my large format camera. Everything is slidy smooth.

Don_ih · Oct 24, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
Easier to just use synthetic bicycle chain lube. I use it on my large format camera. Everything is slidy smooth.

You use lube as a glue on your camera to get stuff to stick to it??

BrianShaw · Oct 24, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
Easier to just use synthetic bicycle chain lube. I use it on my large format camera. Everything is slidy smooth.

Isn’t this a light adhesive, like sticky notes, rather than a lubricant?

Don_ih · Oct 24, 2021

BrianShaw said:
Isn’t this a light adhesive, like sticky notes, rather than a lubricant?

I think Andrew is still a bit sleepy and didn't see that. It is pretty early in BC.

Andrew O'Neill · Oct 24, 2021

BrianShaw said:
Isn’t this a light adhesive, like sticky notes, rather than a lubricant?

Nope. I've been using it for years on my 8x10. Never sticky.

Andrew O'Neill · Oct 24, 2021

Don Heisz said:
You use lube as a glue on your camera to get stuff to stick to it??

I don't know what you're talking about. It's a synthetic bike chain lube. It is not sticky at all. Of it were, do you think I'd use it?? Wipe on. Instant dry. Been using it for years. I use it on all the easels at my school. It's known as ice chain lubricant. Any bike shop will have it.

BrianShaw · Oct 24, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
I don't know what you're talking about.

Unfortunately the feeling is completely mutual. I'm completely confused by whatever you are writing about. Sorry... maybe its still early in my land too. Are you saying that this formula for this "sticky easel" is the same as that for a synthetic bike chain lube, or that the name is similar? (I've never seen such a bike lube but probably haven't seen as many as others have seen)

Andrew O'Neill · Oct 24, 2021

BrianShaw said:
Unfortunately the feeling is completely mutual. I'm completely confused by whatever you are writing about. Sorry... maybe its still early in my land too. Are you saying that this formula is the same as that for a synthetic bike chain lube, or that the name is similar? (I've never seen such a bike lube but probably haven't seen as many as others have seen)

The stuff I'm talking about is sold at a bike shop. It's synthetic. It dries with a smooth hard coat. It's not the same as Anchell's formula. Just seems like a lot of bother to gather up all the ingredients, and mix it all up.

Don_ih · Oct 24, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
The stuff I'm talking about is sold at a bike shop. It's synthetic. It dries with a smooth hard coat. It's not the same as Anchell's formula. Just seems like a lot of bother to gather up all the ingredients, and mix it all up.

Andrew, the "sticky easel" stuff that @keithostertag asked about is something you mix up and spread on a piece of plywood or very rigid cardboard and, when it dries, it makes the surface sticky - thus "sticky easel". You can then stick photo paper on it - it will even hold it vertical. It's not meant to lubricate the easel.

Andrew O'Neill · Oct 24, 2021

Don Heisz said:
Andrew, the "sticky easel" stuff that @keithostertag asked about is something you mix up and spread on a piece of plywood or very rigid cardboard and, when it dries, it makes the surface sticky - thus "sticky easel". You can then stick photo paper on it - it will even hold it vertical. It's not meant to lubricate the easel.

Hahahaha! I see thank you. But there is a low tac spray one could buy instead LoL

MattKing · Oct 24, 2021

Better not let your students see this thread Andrew...

john_s · Oct 24, 2021

Does anyone know why there is chrome alum in the mixture?

Don_ih · Oct 24, 2021

john_s said:
Does anyone know why there is chrome alum in the mixture?

Gelatin hardener, I think.

glbeas · Oct 24, 2021

https://www.signaturecrafts.com/products/sticky-note-spray?variant=41483635462

Anyone know of Steve Anchell cookbook formula for "sticky easel"?

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Anyone know of Steve Anchell cookbook formula for "sticky easel"?

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