Kostiner Archival Washer

norm123 · May 8, 2018

Hi
I just got a used Kostiner Archival Washer for 11 x 14 prints. There are not any inlet or outlet devices. I have difficult to understand how it works and what is the flow of water inside it. There is another hole also, a vertical small pipe in the same side than inlet and outlet. Should I put a valve for the outlet and control the level of water with it?

I'm confused. I need advice. I can't find nothing about the way to use it.

Regards

Normand

norm123 · May 8, 2018

I assume to buy 2 valves, one for inlet and glue the inside part in the tubular part and another one in the same way. I suppose to close the outlet valve until it's full and open a bit to equilibrate the water level. What do you think?

Luis-F-S · May 8, 2018

Why don't you post photos so we are not in the dark. We have no idea what you bought or how complete it was. Did you ask the party you bought it from? My recollection is that the inlet spigot had an air hole to help with agitation, that is how my Kostiner film washer is set up. The outlet overflowed into the sink. There are no valves, it's an in-sink washer. I sold my Kostiner print washer 20 years ago and bought a Zone VI (3 of them actually 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20).

norm123 · May 9, 2018

Somes pictures of the Washer.

cowanw · May 9, 2018

You have the correct labelling. Given that your inlet device has broken off and the air inlet feature is optional, I would just tap for a hose and use the water faucets to control the rate of flow.
The exit similarly is just a straight hose but with a shut off valve. the valve is used to empty the tank at the end of the day and is closed during usage. Water is allowed to spill over the top during washing.

norm123 · May 9, 2018

Thank you for your advice. So, it means that the outlet valve is close during washing and the water goes overflow by the top of the washer. Is it not better to adjust the outlet valve to assure a constant level of water. I'm a bit squeeze in the darkroom to put another tray for the water who spill over the top during washing.

Sirius Glass · May 9, 2018

norm123 said:
Thank you for your advice. So, it means that the outlet valve is close during washing and the water goes overflow by the top of the washer. Is it not better to adjust the outlet valve to assure a constant level of water. I'm a bit squeeze in the darkroom to put another tray for the water who spill over the top during washing.

I just raise the outlet hose above the level of the print washer and the water does not flow out until I lower it. Then I adjust the input flow until the water flow is stabilized to keep the washer filled to near the top.

cowanw · May 9, 2018

norm123 said:
Thank you for your advice. So, it means that the outlet valve is close during washing and the water goes overflow by the top of the washer. Is it not better to adjust the outlet valve to assure a constant level of water. I'm a bit squeeze in the darkroom to put another tray for the water who spill over the top during washing.

The unit came with a deep tray to spill into. I suspect that if you have the inlet and the outlet in the bottom the new water never gets out of the bottom spray holes and their is no exchange.

norm123 · May 10, 2018

cowanw said:
The unit came with a deep tray to spill into. I suspect that if you have the inlet and the outlet in the bottom the new water never gets out of the bottom spray holes and their is no exchange.

I don't have the deep tray to spill into. Yes, inlet and outlet at the bottom. So, you means that it doesn't work properly if the water doesn't spill out of the tank. It's better to close the outlet, spill over the tank and use the outlet valve just to drain the tank. Well, I need to find something like a big tray and hole.

Thank you.

Sirius Glass · May 10, 2018

I have mine set up in a bath tub so I do not have to worry about leaks.

Mainecoonmaniac · May 10, 2018

There is an inlet which is not threaded near the bottom of the washer. Mine has an aerator with a plastic tube and a connection for the faucet. There's no outlet per se. The water just goes upward and spills over the edge. The washer made to sit in a darkroom sink to catch the expelled water.

norm123 · May 11, 2018

Well I examine more closely my washer. In my first picture, where I didn't know what was this small tube. It is the drain for the overflow. So I understand now how it works. My main problem I realize yesterday concern the ''water distributor'' at the bottom of the washer. It seems that during transport, these distributors were detached from the main inlet ''channel''. See the picture. I'll found a glass/acrylique/plexisglass shop to open the bottom of the tank, fix the tubes in a proper position and reglue everything. In the picture, we see the positions of these items but now, I just have one OK. The 2 others are displaced.

Mainecoonmaniac · May 11, 2018

The water inlet (hole for fitting) is on the side. The whole top of the print washer is the water outlet. Some designs have a single tube where the water drains. It's not the case with Kostiner washers.

Kostiner Archival Washer

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