Compressor for darkroom

Christiaan Phleger · Feb 15, 2010

Hey all, about to start in on a new darkroom, and getting tired of buying compressed air to squirt each neg, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of using a small air compressor in the the darkroom, along with some in-line air filters in case of oil coming thru the lines. Any direction or idea would be welcome and thanks.

Mike Té · Feb 15, 2010

Keep your small air compressor in the garage (or elsewhere), fill up a small air tank from time to time and bring that into the darkroom with you. A light coiled hose and nozzle can complete the kit. Not noisy and more compact. Just make sure that the air from the compressor to the darkroom supply tank has passed through a water separater/dryer and a filter.

largeformat pat · Feb 15, 2010

Hi,
Have a look at hobby stores, They have small compressors to run air brushes. I have one it's not very noisy. Try MIcromark.
Hope this helps
Pat

Roger Thoms · Feb 15, 2010

This is what I use. It is fairly quiet, uses an oiless compressor (very important for photography), and is light weight. http://www.senco.com/con_rem/ViewTool.aspx?toolid=175

Roger

fotch · Feb 15, 2010

I would definitely run an oil-less air compressor and filter the air for water and contanimnets.

Dan Henderson · Feb 16, 2010

I bought a small, inexpensive store brand compressor from Menard's (a big box home improvement center in the Midwest US.) I installed it in the basement just outside my darkroom, installed filters and a regulator, and connected it to a coiled hose with air gun inside the darkroom. I regulate down to 15 or 20 psi to give a gentle but effective cleaning. It is noisy even inside the darkroom when it kicks on to refill the tank, but that only lasts for 30 seconds or so.

Bob-D659 · Feb 16, 2010

A source for an inexpensive inline filter to clean the air after an air/oil separator is a fuel filter for a late model Ford Crown Victoria.

mgb74 · Feb 16, 2010

Bob-D659 said:
A source for an inexpensive inline filter to clean the air after an air/oil separator is a fuel filter for a late model Ford Crown Victoria.

Why? Not disagreeing, just wondering what makes this fuel filter better than another one?

Bob-D659 · Feb 16, 2010

High flow capacity, and aftermarket ones are not very expensive, besides, it's the one I use and the WIX brand one works fine at 60 psi.

I forgot to add, it has pipe stubs on both ends, some have a threaded fitting on one side.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 16, 2010

RidingWaves said:
Hey all, about to start in on a new darkroom, and getting tired of buying compressed air to squirt each neg, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of using a small air compressor in the the darkroom, along with some in-line air filters in case of oil coming thru the lines. Any direction or idea would be welcome and thanks.

I bought mine at Calumet a couple of years ago. I works well, but I don't know if they still sell it.

totalamateur · Feb 16, 2010

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92403

Cheap tools are the best - the airbrush compressors are generally quiter than the tanked type - take up a lot less room too, you could probably mount it under a table some where.

Without the canned air, what do you evacuate the developer stock solution bottle with? (no butane please)

Also, if you are a DIY'er - the scroll compressor out of an old fridge or AC can be monkeyed into a compressor. just hook up the wires to a switch, and figure out an airhose fitting.

fotch · Feb 16, 2010

My wife, who does Reverse Glass Painting restorations, and uses air for both cleaning and air brushing started out with my portable air gun compressor with a filter/regulator. Noisy would be an understatement.

Then I purchase a used tank-less airbrush compressor that is almost silent, with a very gentle airflow. I think is was only $25 on Craigslist. You could hook up a foot switch to it if needed.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 16, 2010

totalamateur said:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92403

Cheap tools are the best - the airbrush compressors are generally quiter than the tanked type - take up a lot less room too, you could probably mount it under a table some where...

This looks almost exactly like the one Calumet has for sale at about half the price.

resummerfield · Feb 16, 2010

totalamateur said:
.....Without the canned air, what do you evacuate the developer stock solution bottle with? (no butane please)......

I originally setup my darkroom with a remote compressor with a filtered and regulated outlet near my enlarger.

But a few years ago I bought a tank of Nitrogen and regulated it down to about 10 psi with a hose and "blow gun" adapter. Now I can blow away dust, and give a squirt into opened bottles of chemistry. In over a year, I have not yet refilled the Nitrogen tank.

fotch · Feb 16, 2010

resummerfield said:
I originally setup my darkroom with a remote compressor with a filtered and regulated outlet near my enlarger.

But a few years ago I bought a tank of Nitrogen and regulated it down to about 10 psi with a hose and "blow gun" adapter. Now I can blow away dust, and give a squirt into opened bottles of chemistry. In over a year, I have not yet refilled the Nitrogen tank.

I heard that also, that the Nitrogen can be used. I have been thinking of getting set up this way for chemical storage anyway, so good idea.

Mainecoonmaniac · Feb 16, 2010

I try to keep my negs clean. I rarely used compressed air nor canned air. If I have to clean my negs, I have this ear syringe that I've been using for years and it works well. http://www.drugstore.com/products/p...am=rite_aid_ear_syringe_3_&CAWELAID=153337877

A wide camel's hair brush works great also. I like simple solutions. I'm also thinking of putting one of those $10 ionizers to remove static from my film.

Renato Tonelli · Feb 16, 2010

RalphLambrecht said:
This looks almost exactly like the one Calumet has for sale at about half the price.

I searched Calumet and came up empty... I'm glad they're available; much better than canned air.

Compressor for darkroom

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