Building a darkroom

jgoody said:

I had a basement darkroom and as the house drain line was above the sink the plumber put a pump under the sink which raised the water so it could exit via a trap to the drain line. You flipped a switch to activate the pump -- a foot switch would have been better. Worked OK.
In terms of the shelf I would use plywood rather than particle board - basements can be damp and moisture and particle board aren't happy together - the stuff swells and bows. A dehumidifier might be your friend too. And hopefully there is some ventilation.

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The best lift pumps use a float that automatically switches on the pump, and no reason you could make new bases for cabinets from better wood.

Jim Jones said:

The best of particle board is good; the worst is terrible.
One should research this before extensive use of it.

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That's certainly good advice.

Since I built my darkroom 30 years ago, I obviously used particle board DIY cabinetry that was available then.
I expect it's of significantly better quality than similar product available today, particularly if sourced from Ch*.

- Leigh

Hi,
My two cents. I've built 3 darkrooms in my lifetime and this is what I have learned. The gentleman who posted the image about the drop section for the enlarger is absolutely correct, just make sure that you make it wide enough and keep the section that you cut out for smaller enlargements.
Running water is really a must. You can carry water in pails in and out but it going to get messy. Your film will have to be processed outside of the darkroom as well because you need running water.
Allow for adequate ventilation. Even if you love the smell of the chemicals it gets warm and stuffy very fast. Many people recommend a "wet" side and a "dry" side, for me an "L" shaped counter worked better. Also, the larger the room the better. A clear counter can double for copy work or even camera repairs.
If possible build a light room as well. An area large enough for a matt cutter and dry mounting press, plus your computer and negative scanner.
Lastly, if your in a basement, a humidifier is a must. Keep your darkroom and supplies dry. Keep enlarging lenses stored in zip lock bags.
I had friend who worked under stairways and in closets or in their kitchen at night. While it works, it's not the way to enjoy your hobby.
regards,
Rick

Running water is a convenience, not a necessity. Both film and paper can be as thoroughly washed in bath changes as in running water. It saves water although it does involve more effort.

Jim Jones said:

Running water is a convenience........although it does involve more effort.

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Guess it depends on whether you want to spend your time printing or being a human water bucket!

I used a darkroom for many years where the water came from a laundry sink outside the darkroom and about ten feet away.

That is very easy to work with.

Up and down stairs - not so easy.

I'm in the process of building a high end darkroom from the ground up, spending 110K on commercial space for it and then about another 15K in improvements and custom install work. Basically, I have been doing up to 20x24 in a 15 square foot closet with no plumbing, a nightmare for a fine art print sale biz. I'll be up to 300 square feet now and be able to do murals.

There is just no way in heck I would not have a plumbed space w/o a way to fill and drain...been there done that and it is truly a mess at times. Even though your ceilings are low, good choice on the basement space, easier to control across the board.

Have fun!