Ladder trays

ann · Feb 15, 2022

Trying to buy some ladder trays for my darkroom course.

the ones we have are just so bad and need to be replaced. Unfortunately, they no longer are available at least on places I have checked which include major photo stores, eBay etc.

if anyone can point me in a location that might have these I would really appreciate the information

thanks

ann

wiltw · Feb 15, 2022

I presume you mean a tray stacking system like this one
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/263742121901126499/

It seems that all you really need to do is create a multi-level offset stack large enough to fit your desired tray dimension...you could use 1/4" or thicker acrylic plastic 'glued' together via methyl-ethyl ketone (MEK), all purchasable at plastics store such as TAP Plastics...they can cut the acrylic to whatever sizes you want, and send them all to you for assembly, or they could assemble the stack and ship to you ready to load with your trays.

AgX · Feb 15, 2022

I am inclined to making such myself. Likely from stainless steel. Ideal would be a design that can be folded flat.

wiltw · Feb 15, 2022

AgX said:
I am inclined to making such myself. Likely from stainless steel. Ideal would be a design that can be folded flat.

Hmmm...flat for storage...I could envision a design using acrylic sheets in combination with threaded rods and nuts.

Using 1/2" thick sheets for horizontal acrylic offers better rigidity for the entire structure.

Jim Jones · Feb 15, 2022

Long ago I used a 16x20 Tray-Rak made by Richard Mfg. Co. of Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.. It held two trays with room beneath for a third tray. It consisted three frames of plastic covered rod: two sides and a back frame. The three pieces could easily be unhooked from each other for flat storage. The company may have gone out of business long ago, but the rack may be available second-hand on ebay or this site.

ann · Feb 15, 2022

Thanks for the tips

ann

mshchem · Feb 15, 2022

You might consider a single rocking print tray. They are sometimes available on Ebay. The idea is to use a single tray and pour smaller volumes of solutions in and out of the tray in sequence. Actually any tray can be used. The dedicated ones were made in the past, Nikor rocking print tray, the other I'm aware of is the Color Canoe. Both made of stainless steel.

MattKing · Feb 15, 2022

It always seems to me that most plumbers could make these easily out of plastic pipe materials and T-joints.

AgX · Feb 16, 2022

ann said:
Unfortunately, they no longer are available at least on places I have checked which include major photo stores, eBay etc.

I do not remember having such come across in any catalog or magazine over here. If such was marketed here it must hahe had an obscure existence.

tezzasmall · Feb 16, 2022

If one is handy with tools, something shouldn't be too hard to make. If not, one that is being designed by Stearman Press, who have made other photographic items and are looking at making something interesting:

https://shop.stearmanpress.com/blog...rkroom?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social

I have also messaged Fojo, which post #2 linked to, to enquire about their tray ladder. I'm not even sure if it's still current, but will report back if I get a reply.

Terry S

ann · Feb 16, 2022

tezzasmall said:
If one is handy with tools, something shouldn't be too hard to make. If not, one that is being designed by Stearman Press, who have made other photographic items and are looking at making something interesting:

https://shop.stearmanpress.com/blog...rkroom?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social

I have also messaged Fojo, which post #2 linked to, to enquire about their tray ladder. I'm not even sure if it's still current, but will report back if I get a reply.

Terry S

The washer device would be in the way, as I need 3 sets of ladder trays to be used when I have a large class. Of course we can work in the traditional horizontal way, but with the ladder trays more work for each individual is possible.

thanks for the link

gone · Feb 16, 2022

MattKing said:
It always seems to me that most plumbers could make these easily out of plastic pipe materials and T-joints.

This is the easy solution. Make a trip to a Big Box store or Ace hardware w/ a rough sketch, and buy a bunch of PVC pipe and connectors. All you really need is a handsaw to cut the piping, and the glue for the connectors. The cat could do it.

tezzasmall · Feb 16, 2022

MattKing said:
It always seems to me that most plumbers could make these easily out of plastic pipe materials and T-joints.

momus said:
This is the easy solution. Make a trip to a Big Box store or Ace hardware w/ a rough sketch, and buy a bunch of PVC pipe and connectors. All you really need is a handsaw to cut the piping, and the glue for the connectors. The cat could do it.

I'm just trying to imagine how I would do it (as I have no cat!) and I now think I shouldn't have started to read this thread as I'm bound to follow it through, even though I have other projects that I want to do first!!! Oh dear!!!

Terry S

AgX · Feb 16, 2022

tezzasmall said:
I'm just trying to imagine how I would do it (as I have no cat!)

Let me be your cat and tell you that you need 4 tubes at vertical. These get T-fittings inserted to hold the horizontal tubes, connecting two vertical tubes and to hold the trays. The vertical tubes connectecd to each other get further T-fittings inserted to take further horizontal tubes, connecting the front and the rear vertical pairs.

tezzasmall · Feb 17, 2022

@AgX, thanks for that. I think I will try and do a drawing based on your description.

Terry S

MattKing · Feb 17, 2022

This borrowed from the internet image should give you an idea - just replace the triangles with something rectangular:

AgX · Feb 17, 2022

The issue with tubes forming a ladder is that their diameter already can be too much to use certain trays for certain formats in a lab sink.

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