Darkroom sink height

[ac12]

Another option, is to make a 2nd smaller and lower sink for the print washer, that will put the print washer at a lower height. That would make it easier to reach into the tall print washer to load and unload prints. I recall that was an issue that I had with my Paterson print washer.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Sounds like you've got the height worked out already, so I'll just comment on more peripheral things.

First, add a kick space at the bottom of the cabinets for your toes (like kitchen cabs have). You'll be thankful for that extra space. I added an extra thickness to the front splash of my sink (so it's 1 1/2" total) and then rounded the top for comfort. I'd recommend something like that so you don't have edges digging into your forearms. Do slant the bottom of the sink so it drains well. Mine has a drain in the middle back so I slanted down from both sides and the front; placing the drain in the middle kept me from having a large elevation difference from on side to the other. If you have timers with footswitches, make allowance for the wires early on; it's a pain drilling holes in the already-installed sink for them later.

If you do plan on using a print washer, make sure you have enough room to get the prints in and out, e.g., don't build a lot of low wall cabs over your washer station. If you plan on storing trays, etc., under the sink, you may want to lose the cabinet doors, or at least build louvers into them for circulation. I left all my storage open to the air. I installed vertical dividers in the middle section so I can slide trays up to 20x24 in vertically. I also sealed the areas that may get wet on all seams and painted the whole thing with waterproof boat paint to discourage leaks. If, like me, you decide to just put your print washer(s) in the sink, you may want an easy-to-use folding stool handy.

One comment about the height: if you're in doubt, choose the deeper dimension; you can always raise things off the bottom of the sink with racks, mats, etc., but you can't easily lower the sink bottom once it's installed.

Best,

Doremus

 

[nsurit]

At 6'4" the top of the lip is at 38" and bottom of the sink at 32". Works for me. Another 5 or 6 inches would not work. If I were to want to over engineer it a bit, I would probably want to figure out how long waisted the primary user was and how they like to work over the sink (standing up, leaning over, etc.) My sink looks much like yours and I don't have doors on the front of the cabinets. I keep my trays under there, along with storage for spent fixer and also a water chiller. Having a semi-open space under the sink is more comfortable for me, rather than being ringht up against the doors while working.

 

[Mike Bates]

A couple of people have mentioned a toe-kick or some open space below for knee room. Instead of a traditional base cabinet design with a toe kick, I recessed the entire front face of the base 3" to accomplish both toe and knee room.

I also removed the doors from the middle cabinet bay for vertical tray storage in order to facilitate air drying.

By the way, sketchup has proven to be an especially useful tool for modeling this. The price is right (free!). The dimensions are precise and I can rotate the model and hide panels to get lots of different views. The only downside is a bit of a steep learning curve to get the hang of 3D modeling. Fortunately, there are lots of tutorial videos available.

 

[rthollenbeck]

Have you considered a plastic or Stainless sink? It may take some looking but ive had several given to me without cost.

 

[Mike Bates]

My sink needs to fit a specific space. In particular, I'm depth-limited to 25" from the front to the wall and the length has to be just under 10'. Keeping the overall length at exactly 8' allows me to use 4'x8' sheets of plywood. If I build it myself, I'll get exactly the dimensions I want.

I'm looking into having the sink interior sprayed with Rhino Liner truck bed liner by a local shop.

 

[Ai Print]

Very timely post, I am getting ready to install and build my wet side, 9 foot and 6 foot stainless steel sink plus fill in areas for things like my Jobo and a mural paper processor. Been trying to dial in the height.

 

[ac12]

A comment about the height.
When making the sink height specific to YOU, you may be making it difficult for someone else of a different height.
This is a consideration if others will/may be using your darkroom.
The issue comes with the extremes; a TALL person (say 6ft-10in) or a SHORT person (under 4ft-8in).
The closer to the so called average height, the more accommodating it will be to more people.

If you are the only one to use the darkroom, then make it to fit YOU.

 

[Mark_S]

View attachment 173048


I also removed the doors from the middle cabinet bay for vertical tray storage in order to facilitate air drying.

.

Mike - I have several large trays that I use for large prints. About the only place in my darkroom where I can store them is under the sink, so make sure that you leave enough room for big trays.

Mark