Can anyone tell me what this is, please?

bladerunner6 · Jul 22, 2013

My uncle gave me a ton of stuff from his uncle and there are a lot of item I don't need.

Anybody know what this is?

Thanks.

Mark_S · Jul 22, 2013

It's a print washer.
You put your prints in the cage on the inside, and when you connect water to it, the cage on the inside spins around washing the prints.

Helinophoto · Jul 22, 2013

If you don't need that, don't throw it away, print washers are quite popular nowdays, as they can be a bit hard to come by, so you might get a pretty good deal for it on eBay (or here) .

TheFlyingCamera · Jul 22, 2013

There's also a pair of Kodak tray siphons in the picture, if you're not aware that the gray hard plastic things are not part of the drum washer. They're quite handy in space-limited darkrooms, although they're not nearly as water efficient as a vertical print washer. Those are also worth something. If you don't want them, post them here in the classifieds and people will buy them.

David Brown · Jul 22, 2013

There are also two Kodak tray siphons in that picture. They are not part of the stainless steel washer. They can also be used to wash prints with a tray.

In my opinion, they are more useful than the rotating drum device. For one thing, the Kodak devices use much less water. The drum washers also tend to beat up the corners of prints.

@ Scott: great minds think alike ... ;-)

removed account4 · Jul 22, 2013

the trick with the drum washer is to have it barely moving around ... like the syphons
not blasting, but "just right" ....

AgX · Jul 22, 2013

I have to admit I never saw such rotating-cage washer before.

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 22, 2013

I think those tumbler style washers are the reason for hardening fixer.

Paul Howell · Jul 22, 2013

I have an 11 X 14 tumbler washer, never had an issue with bent prints, even with single wt paper. Does use a lot more water than a tray or archival, but with Orbit Bath a time saver for working prints.

Wayne · Jul 22, 2013

AgX said:
I have to admit I never saw such rotating-cage washer before.

My dad used one in his photography business in the 1960s. Maybe even earlier too, but I wasn't around to see it.

gleaf · Jul 22, 2013

Pako used to make some serious sized rotating drum washers. Electric motor for rotation. Agitation was driven by the water supply. Size serious = 40 to 50 8 x 10's didn't tax it much. Ours was stationed next to the input apron of the Pako ferotype surface drum dryer.

Paul Howell · Jul 23, 2013

gleaf said:
Pako used to make some serious sized rotating drum washers. Electric motor for rotation. Agitation was driven by the water supply. Size serious = 40 to 50 8 x 10's didn't tax it much. Ours was stationed next to the input apron of the Pako ferotype surface drum dryer.

The Air Forced used these large capacity wahsers, our darkroom had 2 that could take up to 11X20.

Vaughn · Jul 23, 2013

Those tumblers are great for taking platinum prints and returning them to their paper pulp beginnings (from someone else's experience, fortunately!)

DREW WILEY · Jul 23, 2013

Vaughn - they obviously should have used Woolite instead of Tide in there. ... I'll stick with my Kodak tray siphon and various partitioned washers, however.

Paul Howell · Jul 23, 2013

DREW WILEY said:
Vaughn - they obviously should have used Woolite instead of Tide in there. ... I'll stick with my Kodak tray siphon and various partitioned washers, however.

There was a legend of an airman who was assigned to an airbase as an OJT, on the job training rather than sent to tech school, he was given the task of washing prints on the night shift and used some dish soap that was on a shelf near the washer. I heard the story from a couple of different folks, different airbase, different sex, male or female, but might have truth to it.

Vaughn · Jul 23, 2013

DREW WILEY said:
Vaughn - they obviously should have used Woolite instead of Tide in there. ... I'll stick with my Kodak tray siphon and various partitioned washers, however.

LOL! And I'll stick to the siphons and the big rocking washer we have!

Newt_on_Swings · Jul 24, 2013

I see these pop up a lot, i think the most common brand is Arkay for these washers.

Hilo · Jul 25, 2013

Hello !

Sent you a pm regarding the Kodak siphons !

EdSawyer · Jul 25, 2013

They are made by Arkay, yes. I have one someone can come get for free if they want it, or for the cost of shipping/postage. It's in good working order, but just not something I need or will end up using.

Zelph · Aug 12, 2013

I know about 20 years ago the Kodak tray siphon washers were illegal to sell or use in LA area as they were considered water wasting. Anyone know if this is still the rule there?

Can anyone tell me what this is, please?

bladerunner6

Mark_S

Helinophoto

TheFlyingCamera

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removed account4

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Wayne

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Vaughn

DREW WILEY

Paul Howell

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Hilo

EdSawyer

Zelph

Can anyone tell me what this is, please?

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