Kostiner Archival Print Washer - Question about the input port

While fixing the leaks in the print washer I noticed that the input port has a "restrictor" about and inch or so behind the port. The restrictor only has and opening of about 1/8 of an inch.

1) Is the tank intended to be filled with a hose and not through the input port?
2) Is there a risk of too much pressure if you where to fill it from the input port? (it did not come with any hoses so I have now set it up to use rubber garden hose from the water tap)
3) Is the input port just for a small flow that would cause water movement through the bottom holes also draw in the air to create bubbles?
4) Anyone have a scanned copy of the manual?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards

Todd

Hi Todd

Mine also has a restrictor but I have the original hoses (I believe). The hose attaches to an "input block" (for lack of a better description) that then plugs into the input port. (Note, this block has a smooth "plug", about 5/8" or so long, that connects it to the input port (also smooth sided) of the washer.

The input block has a screw that is supposed to let air into the system so it supposedly bubbles. Mine leaks out the threads of the adjustment screw (plastic on plastic) so it likely isn't performing as it should. (as the leak limits the pressure I can use)

It sounds like yours doesn't have the plastic block (that the hose attaches to) that plugs into the unthreaded input port. This input block (with the threaded adjuster) has only a small (~1/8") opening so there isn't any chance of blowing it apart with pressure against the small hole in the input port.

When filling, I tend to run a couple of hoses - both the regular input port, and another hose over the top edge - this lets me use full tap pressure to speed the filling.

I would second the request for a copy of the manual... I too would like to hear about one.

Dave

I have also a Kostiner 16x20 print washer and be interested to a copy of the manual.
I think that 2 models of that washer exist. 1 with the inlet/outlet in the same port and the other model have a separate outlet. Am I right?
I have the model with the input block as described by Dave. I can post a picture if it can help you Todd. But I don't have the original screw, I replace it with a plastic screw.
For your questions, Todd.
Yes you can fill by the inlet only, it will take about about 10-15 minutes if I remember well.
Nothing risky about too much pressure but standard 1.5 gpm for print washer will be appropriate. I get a small flowmeter on eBay for this purpose 20$ (0-5 gpm).
As I understand, the screw can be released to add some turbulence but need to be closed if you wish to let the water stand in the washer.

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Edit
Just saw in the other topic that you have the model with separate inlet/outlet.
And that you don't have the original block. It is just a acrylic conical block with an 3/16" hole in the side, tapped for a screw.

My screw restrictor also leaked when open and was not really effective with regard to bubbles. I just leave it closed to the air option.

Mine has in inlet for filling, an outlet at the base and for lack of a better term an outlet from the top overflow. I adjust the inlet pressure so that the last outlet has a constant level above it.

I recently bought one of these off Craigslist. It's large enough to hold 16"x20" prints, and it only cost $30 with all the dividers, the lid and even the print retrieval stick thing (and the kind gentleman even delivered it to my house for no charge), so I figured, "how can I go wrong?", especially since I've been looking for a larger archival washer.

I didn't fuss over it too much upon drop-off. It still needs a good cleaning, but there are no apparent cracks and, at that price, I figured I wouldn't even mind if I had to make a few repairs. The thing is, I'm a bit unsure of how to properly operate this washer. I’ve used the Calumet washers that look very similar to this one, so I expected this one to be pretty much the same, but the odd thing is that there is only one port for water. (See the third photo attached - the small hole on the bottom right of that picture.) The discussion above sounds totally different from my washer, which has only lead to further confusion

When I pour water in the tank, it gradually trickles into the bottom chamber and then drains out of that port. Sounds fine, and I suppose I could just set a hose into the top of the tank for the input, allow the water to drain out of the bottom and into the plastic tub, to which I can then connect a drainage hose. The idea that there is no place to properly connect an input hose sounds so counter-intuitive to me, though. So what do people here think about how to properly operate this washer?

The above posts make it sound like I’m missing something. My first theory was that, like the Calumet washers I've used, perhaps there should be connected to the left side a sort of box that fills up and with water and sprays it into the top of the tank. But what limited images I can find online don't really help me. This image would support that theory, while this one looks exactly like my washer.

Sorry for the long explanation, but any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

That port is the input. You will need to find a plug to hose adaptor to fit into the port and to the tap.
Mine is tapped on the bottom for a drainage hose which is connected to a spigot. I expect a 2 or is it 3 way spigot on the in port could also be used to drain it.

the white tank also has a hose from the bottom port to a sink if sitting on a counter.
I was never sure what the smaller higher up hole did and I plugged it with a cork.

Thanks very much for the information. I'm going to have to check the hardware store for a piece to connect a hose to the washer port. I'm still confused, though, about how it drains. It doesn't make sense to me that the same port could be used simultaneously as an input and an output for water. I suppose the water could just run over the top left side, (which, as seen in the second photo I attached above, is shorter than the other sides) and then be collected in the large tray (and drained via a hose connected to the output port.)

If anyone else has one of these, please chime in with your process.

I recall reading somewhere a while back about how fixer either floats or sinks in water (one or the other), but I can't remember which it was. What's the right answer to that? I feel like this is relevant to my washing process.

I got my 16x20 Kostiner washer used. The input port, if I remember correct was about 1/2". But the plastic plexiglas tube was 1/2" in diameter and but the hole where the water flowed was about 1/8". The washer came with this valve that aerated the water. It leaked so I used use a 1/2" plastic pipe as the new inlet. You don't need a lot of flow just a slow trickle of water to wash your prints. The bottom of the washer has a sheet of white plastic that has holes so water can flow upward. There's also plexiglass lid that covered the washing prints so the upward flow of water doesn't push the print out of the slot.

See the picture below. This is the model with the same input-output hole.
The original conical part than enter in the hole have a screw mecanism than induce some air and create bubbles in the washer.
All this part is in acrylic. Maybe you can replicate the entry with a hard PVC that you will sand to replicate the exact conical shape of the hole in the washer. Take care this hole is pretty fragile as it acrylic around is only 1/8" Pretty easy to crack it if you force something inside. Mine was leaking so I glue some plexi outside (use only acrylic glue).

Water who escape from the top will keep the washer full when you will stop the water. To drain completely the washer, water need to escape from the bottom hole. You have the choice to place your hose (your water entry hose) completely below this hole or use a 2 way spigot as Bill suggest, a very good suggestion. You close your water entry and open the second to drain.

cowanw said:

My screw restrictor also leaked when open and was not really effective with regard to bubbles. I just leave it closed to the air option.

Click to expand...

Hello Bill,
On mine the screw was missing, so I found same threaded plastic bolt and put around it a tiny yellow surgical rubber tubing, very small caliber that the tube can stop under the bolt head and very short too (1/4" if I remember) and it doesn't leak again and it bubble correctly. I think the pressure should be enough for the bubbleling. I set my washers at 1.5 gal/min. Small flowmeters found on eBay for 20$, 0-5 g/min.

Now that is brilliant thinking.