Best way to dry film - cabinet/dryer or ?

[Michael Kadillak]

Film Drying Cabinet

Like many big, expensive items I needed for my darkroom, the Regal/Arkay film drying cabinet I use was almost free. I have found that if you keep your eyes and ears open these kind of things become available, depending on how far you're willing to drive. The key is patience. Before I had one, I had good luck hanging roll film in a shower stall and 8x10 negs on a line above my sink. I really like the convenience of this film cabinet. It has good seals, so the dust is kept out. It has a filter. I can do warm, fan-driven air, or just let them dry on their own without help. I also hang my freshly coated palladium prints in it to dry before exposure.
Neal

I acquired an Arkay film drying cabinet for a very reasonable price that I have in my darkroom. I rarely even turn on the drying motor as I am more inclined to just let the film dry on its own over night. Air moves around in rooms and dust is inevitable so having a closed area that limits air flow simply works. However the proof of realized success is how much spotting on your prints is being done because that is where the pedal meets the road. I can honestly say that I have not had to spot any prints since I got the drying cabinet and that is a real God send. Along these lines, I have a whole case of screen filters for the Arkay CD 40 cabinet that are 11 1/2" x 13 1/4" if anyone wants a few. They only sell them by the case and this is more than I could possibly need.

Cheers!

 

[fotch]

I acquired an Arkay film drying cabinet for a very reasonable price that I have in my darkroom. I rarely even turn on the drying motor as I am more inclined to just let the film dry on its own over night. Air moves around in rooms and dust is inevitable so having a closed area that limits air flow simply works. However the proof of realized success is how much spotting on your prints is being done because that is where the pedal meets the road. I can honestly say that I have not had to spot any prints since I got the drying cabinet and that is a real God send. Along these lines, I have a whole case of screen filters for the Arkay CD 40 cabinet that are 11 1/2" x 13 1/4" if anyone wants a few. They only sell them by the case and this is more than I could possibly need.

Cheers!

Hi Michael,
I would be interested in a few of the filters. I purchased the remains of a Richcolor Film Dryer off of fleebay. I have to build the cabinet however, the fan, heating element, timer, and it all works.

Previously, I have used a film drying bag that uses a hair dryer. Still have it and it does a good job of drying dust free although you have to be careful loading the film pass the zippered opening. Think it came from Spirotone.

The Richcolor uses filters but none came with it and I guess they are out of business. I think regular furnace filters may let small particles pass through so I have been planning to find something meant for the job.

Let me know how much they are with shipping to zip 53105 by PM.

Thanks

 

[gphoto120]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions!
gphoto120

 

[Arvee]

"Craft of Photography," David Vestal: a moistened dedicated sponge with full contact moving at a rate of 1 frame/sec. Do each side independently. My version: two dedicated sponges (stored in a Ziploc bag when dry), wrung out till nearly dry and sandwich film very lightly and move at the 1 frame/sec. rate. Very, very fast drying but then again I live in Utah where 15% humidity is considered high! Never a problem so far and I feel more comfortable with this than the squeegee. No problems with Efke 25 which is supposed to peel the emulsion at the slightest provocation. Cheers!

 

[wilsonneal]

Wish I had seen this post this morning, Michael! I ordered a case of filters from them just today! LOL
Neal

I acquired an Arkay film drying cabinet for a very reasonable price that I have in my darkroom. I rarely even turn on the drying motor as I am more inclined to just let the film dry on its own over night. Air moves around in rooms and dust is inevitable so having a closed area that limits air flow simply works. However the proof of realized success is how much spotting on your prints is being done because that is where the pedal meets the road. I can honestly say that I have not had to spot any prints since I got the drying cabinet and that is a real God send. Along these lines, I have a whole case of screen filters for the Arkay CD 40 cabinet that are 11 1/2" x 13 1/4" if anyone wants a few. They only sell them by the case and this is more than I could possibly need.

Cheers!

 

[angelbubbles07]

I COULD HELP YOU!

Hey my friend is starting to build her darkroom and I will let you know what she does with her prints. But i would certainly put the prints in the dryer cabinet and due to dust that would be on the negative forever and mess it up. I don't have a darkroom so maybe you can coach me about it later! I am about to get married so I can't do it now, but I hope to keep in touch.