Help! I need a sink!

BruceN · Jul 18, 2005

Well, I've completed my move to Sheridan, Wyoming and am about ready to begin construction on my new darkroom. The bad news is I'm having trouble finding a sink. There isn't much on ebay and I can't afford the stainless Leedal of my dreams. I need something big enough to tray process at least 16x20 prints (4 trays). I would be willing to drive as far as Denver or Missoula if anyone could give me a good lead. Thanks!!

Bruce

Monophoto · Jul 18, 2005

I built my sink out of dimension lumber and plywood. That made it possible to make the dimensions what I wanted them to be, and not just what I could find. Several (five) coats of two-component epoxy paint made it impervious to water and chemicals. The plywood bottom slopes toward one end, and with a stainless steel bar sink at that point, along with the faucets. It won't last forever, but so far it's served me just fine for about 25 years.

jjstafford · Jul 18, 2005

http://www.hirtech.com/HomeDarkroomSinks.htm

Delivered to your door. Save gas.

blaze-on · Jul 19, 2005

Check with the county facility to see if they have auctions...sometimes a nice commercial stainless will come along. Or, a restaurant wholesaler/used place. Or, Habitat for Humanity sometimes has surplus stuff especially cabinets and such.

Look in the paper for restaurants going out of business...
Call a contractor and ask them to keep a look out.

I picked up my 8'9" three sink stainless last month for $50.00 from a place that remodeled a previous facility.

raucousimages · Jul 19, 2005

I built one for the University of Utah - 6 inches deep, 32 inches wide and 38 feet long out of 2x6 and particle board, then fiberglassed it in. If I were to do it again, I would build the sink out of wood and have a spray on bed liner for trucks (such as Rhino-lining) sprayed on it. Another option that I have heard works but have not seen personally, is to build a wood frame and tile it the way you would a shower. Home Depot and any chain home improvement store should carry books on how to do it. And with the tile option, you could tile right up the backsplash.

Sean · Jul 19, 2005

I built mine from a sheet of plywood and 2x4's, then used yacht primer, and then yacht paint. It's been great

BruceN · Jul 19, 2005

Thanks everyone! Looks like building one out of wood will be a good option if I can't find a killer deal on a stainless one. I love the spray on bedliner idea. That said, do you think I could talk you guys who built your sinks into sending me some photos? I looked through the darkroom photos thread, but most of them don't have a good view of just the sink...

Bruce

Bighead · Jul 19, 2005

This may not be possible but I have a stainless sink that was made by a friend of mine, who was in an apprenticeship program to be an architectural sheet metal worker... He did a wonderful job... I'm guessing something similar would be well over a thousand dollars retail.....

Well, I met another metal worker who said that many metal fabrication shops will make the simple bends and welds for you design... I'm not sure but I think my friend spent $100 on the sheet of steel and said that he spent 3 or 4 hours making it.. Maybe a local shop could do something for you and you would get a chance to support a local artisan. Just a possibility.

Monophoto · Jul 19, 2005

Here's what the wet side of my darkroom looks like (yeah, it's a lousy picture).

I built the sink using 1x4" 'D-select' pine frame, with a 1/2" plywood bottom. I put a cleat around the inside of the frame for the bottom to rest on. Everything is assembled using resorcinol glue and screws, and covered with five coats of a battleship gray 2-component epoxy paint. It sits on legs made from 1x2" "D-select" pine - legs at each corner, and an additional pair of legs in the center of the long dimension. Teh legs and other portions of the supporting structure are protected with a couple of coats of polyurethane varnish. The bottom slopes to the right, and there is a stainless steel sink installed at the right end. The hot/cold water faucet is installed on the backsplash behind the sink. I routed a rabbet in the plywood so that the surface mount sink actually sits slightly below the surface of the plywood - that assures that water in the wooden portion of the sink flows into the steel portion and thence down the drain.

I originally built this sink (back in 1980) for the darkroom in our former home where the long dimension was designed to accommodate four 11x14" trays. A second constraint was that the total length of the sink could not exceed the inside dimension of the darkroom, and that in turn was governed by the space between a basement wall and an opening into a crawlspace. We moved to a new home two years ago, and I built a new darkroom in which I reused this sink. Subsequently, I built a rack under the left end of the sink (not visible in the picture) to hold print drying screens.

When we moved, I sanded the sink and applied a fresh coat of epoxy paint. There are a couple of spots where the paint is cracking and I can see the wood starting to deteriorate. But after 25 years, I can't complain - besides, in my new darkroom, I have more room and would welcome an excuse to build a new, larger sink!

Joe Symchyshyn · Jul 19, 2005

http://porters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=D1K

I have an ABS sink and think it's fantastic... I built my own cabinet below, but the stands work well. (Just less storage)

Personally, I'd recommend ABS...

joe

blansky · Jul 19, 2005

I also built mine from a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood with the legs out of 2x4s.

Took about two hours to build and cost around $100. I've renovated it once for a different darkroom and then built a tray shelf at one end so I can stack the trays for 20x24.

It is so simple to build that when you're done you will wonder why you even considered any other method.

Michael

Sparky · Jul 20, 2005

raucousimages said:
If I were to do it again, I would build the sink out of wood and have a spray on bed liner for trucks (such as Rhino-lining) sprayed on it.

Funny and interesting you mention that. I was trying to get a quote from them for spraying my darkroom (exposing room only actually) - thought it would be cool -since they could do all the built-in shelves, etc.. too since it would make a great dust-free surface!

But alas - they are flakes!

Sparky · Jul 20, 2005

jjstafford said:
http://www.hirtech.com/HomeDarkroomSinks.htm

Delivered to your door. Save gas.

Hmmm.. funny. That's what I bought. Though I have grave doubts about it's durability. It's not installed yet though. I bought the washing well model to do double duty as a kitchen sink. Kinda cool concept. I sanded between the support ribs underneath and epoxied in 2" ribs of baltic birch plywood. My biggest concern is deformation from hot water and wear and tear from the dishes..!

Know anybody who's used a delta?

magic823 · Jul 20, 2005

raucousimages said:
I built one for the University of Utah - 6 inches deep, 32 inches wide and 38 feet long out of 2x6 and particle board, then fiberglassed it in. If I were to do it again, I would build the sink out of wood and have a spray on bed liner for trucks (such as Rhino-lining) sprayed on it. Another option that I have heard works but have not seen personally, is to build a wood frame and tile it the way you would a shower. Home Depot and any chain home improvement store should carry books on how to do it. And with the tile option, you could tile right up the backsplash.

This is actaully what Photographers' Formulary has done in their three darkrooms. Nice big dual sided sinks. The surface is pretty indestructable.

Terrance Hounsell · Jul 26, 2005

FAST & EASY Stainless Steel Darkrom Sink

Building a sink from stainless steel (S/S) is best because there are no painting or water proofing issues.

Go to a sheet metal shop and buy a full 4x8 sheet of S/S. Tell them what you want to do with it and they will recommend a suitable gauge. Get them to do the following for you: (all cuts and welds are straight so fast and easy for them = less labour cost)

1) Cut out a 6x6 inch square from each corner
2) Have the 4 sides flanged up 6 inches
3) Have the outside edge rolled over about 1 inch to improve edge stiffness and get rid of the sharp egde.
4) Weld the 4 corners together
5) Have circular hole cut in one end so you can fit a drain

6) Make your own stand, 2X4s and plywood is fine and include a shelf or two. You may want to have a solid plywood top or some cross bracing to support the sink bottom.

Quick and easy 3 foot X 7 foot sink. Cost about $200 USD

Actual size can be altered to your darkroom. For example if you wanted a 2 foot deep sink you could simply flange up the extra foot to make a higher back splash.

Because buying a full sheet is cheaper than buying it by the foot I once made a deeper sink using the 4 foot dimension as the width and had a 30 inch back splash and a flanged shelf along the back.

Bighead · Jul 26, 2005

This is what I prescribe..... Plus, this makes a wonderful beer trough for parties.....

removed account4 · Jul 26, 2005

marine plywood 2x4s or 4x4s for legs, and fibergalass epoxy resin + cloth. cheep, easy to fix...

TheFlyingCamera · Jul 26, 2005

I have a Delta 6' sink in my darkroom... it is extremely durable. I've put all kinds of chemical goop in it, from Dektol to RA4 to Pyro, even mixed concrete in it (in a bucket... a little slopped on the sink when washing my mixing trowel, but that cleaned up nicely), and it has held up like a champ. I have my Nova 16x20 slot processor and my Gravityworks 16x20 washer in it almost all the time, and when in use, they're both full of fluids, so we're talking about over 300 lbs of liquid in the sink. I used it for three years without any kind of additional cross-brace underneath, and I've had no warping or cracking as a result. Once I got the washer, it was time to build a brace underneath the center of the sink because it would get too far off level toward the center drain when I had both the processor and the washer in the sink. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one when I get a bigger darkroom. I do wish I had enough space to be able to have the processor and the washer in the sink at the same time, and a couple of 16x20 trays for toning, but I only have room for a 6' sink, so we live with what we have.

Sparky said:
Hmmm.. funny. That's what I bought. Though I have grave doubts about it's durability. It's not installed yet though. I bought the washing well model to do double duty as a kitchen sink. Kinda cool concept. I sanded between the support ribs underneath and epoxied in 2" ribs of baltic birch plywood. My biggest concern is deformation from hot water and wear and tear from the dishes..!

Know anybody who's used a delta?

dancqu · Jul 27, 2005

BruceN said:
The bad news is I'm having trouble finding a sink.
Bruce

You are having trouble finding a great big sink. Every
darkroom really should have a sink. I can't recall ever
having a darkroom without a sink.

I spent three years in the US Army stationed on three
different bases as photographer and lab tech. I did the lab
work on all the photos I took. None of those labs had a sink
any where near the size you call for.

Some how has established itself the notion that tray
holding sinks are needed. That is not true. Further more,
I'm not sure they are even desirable.

If I were in your shoes I'd put in a sink large enough for
washing up and no more. It will fit nicely into an easy to
clean additional counter space.

I in my shoes I've a sink in mind which in it self will serve to
process 16x20s. I process single tray, or sink if you will,
using one shot chemistry. Dan

David Brown · Jul 27, 2005

Sparky said:
Know anybody who's used a delta?

I have an 8 ft. Delta 1. Built the stand myself from 2x4 and 1x6. No problems or complaints.

YMMV (as always)

David

Help! I need a sink!

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