Landry room nook / darkroom conversion

ac12 · Feb 13, 2017

Jim Jones said:
My laundry room doubled as a darkroom for years. Lint and dust were a problem.

Get a HEPA room air filter, and run it for 24 hours before you print. That should get most of the airborne stuff filtered out.
Wet mop the floor and you got the the stuff that your feet would stir up.

kingbuzzie · Feb 15, 2017

I was definitely going to go with a small hepa. We have other filters in the house and use good AC filters, so hopefully I can cut down the dust. All the drying (film and paper) will be done in the bathroom. I do want a utility sink in there, but that also involves going through the wall to tie into the washer drain, a bit more involved. I'm going to make the plywood counter and then when I get a chance I'll can cut a hole in it for a small plastic drop in utility sink. There is also the issue of fitting three / four 11x14 trays in the area... I'm still working on that. I would love a tray ladder, but I can't find one for sale and I assume they are pricey anyway. I wouldn't mind trying to make one if I had some plans. The durst 606 arrived and it is in spectacular shape. I was able to track down two durst m39 lens boards (both the 50mm and 75mm) so that I can use modern lenses. The ones that came with the enlarger (durst branded) were in perfect shape but from what I read they were on the low end. I've been holding off on a 4 blade easel because they are so effing expensive. A gralab 450 (the last model with keypads) just came in the mail too. $50 from ebay I guess wasn't a bad price.

ac12 · Feb 15, 2017

If you are tight on space, I suggest you look at the Honeywell "rocking print tray" or the Heath/Mitchell "color canoue." You can only do one print at a time, but saves a LOT of space. In my tiny half bath, I use an 8x10 Honeywell 'rocking print tray.' I used the 11x14 version in the darkroom at my parents home.
The other option is a color drum. But you have to develop by time, you can't see the print developing.

kingbuzzie · Feb 15, 2017

ac12 said:
If you are tight on space, I suggest you look at the Honeywell "rocking print tray" or the Heath/Mitchell "color canoue." You can only do one print at a time, but saves a LOT of space. In my tiny half bath, I use an 8x10 Honeywell 'rocking print tray.' I used the 11x14 version in the darkroom at my parents home.
The other option is a color drum. But you have to develop by time, you can't see the print developing.

I just looked into those, but I they don't seem very many used, and I would need a 11x14

rthollenbeck · Feb 15, 2017

kingbuzzie said:
There is also the issue of fitting three / four 11x14 trays in the area... I'm still working on that. I would love a tray ladder, but I can't find one for sale and I assume they are pricey anyway. I wouldn't mind trying to make one if I had some plans. The durst 606 arrived and it is in spectacular shape.

No no no.

Just goto lowes or Home Depot and get one of those small wire shelves. Adjust it where you want it.
Even better is a bread rack if you had the space.... but I know you don't.

ac12 · Feb 16, 2017

kingbuzzie said:
I just looked into those, but I they don't seem very many used, and I would need a 11x14

Just have to keep looking and be patient.
They show up on Craig's List, eBay and maybe the local camera shows.
I got my Honeywell Rocking Print Tray (8x10), 2 Color Canoes (8x10 & 11x14), and 3 drums (8x10, 11x14 & 16x20) all from local sellers via CL. I already had the 11x14 Honeywell Rocking Print Tray.
This gave me 3 different options to process larger prints in a small darkroom. I wanted the option to choose whichever one I wanted to use.

For me, to process 11x14 in a tray, I needed a completely OPEN tray. Stacked trays would have been difficult for that size paper. Maybe I'm just a little clumsy.

kingbuzzie · Mar 18, 2017

*Update* workspace mostly complete with an available weekend. Plywood table covered with Rust-Oleum countertop paint, leftover chalkboard paint around the enlarger. Counter fits three Paterson 11x14 tubs perfectly. In retrospect the left side partition around the enlarger might be a bad idea, and the durst appears to have zero light leaks anyway. That board is easily removable with a few screws. only thing left is light curtain leading into the kitchen and to test for light leaks. Oh and hang the Kodak brownie oc light.

chuck94022 · Mar 20, 2017

Beautiful work. But in a previous comment, you mentioned a shed? My first darkroom was in a shed. Wasn't perfect. I shared it with the well pump, junk, and the random critter, but it worked. I was a kid at the time, so my tolerance was as high as my determination.

If the wife kicks you out of the laundry room, maybe the shed is an option?

~andi · Mar 20, 2017

Very nice. Which way did you go with the open door? Curtain? How did it work out. I personally rather like the idea of having a curtain to enter the darkroom.... somehow reminiscent of mid century french movies

Another idea would be to attach two U-shaped aluminum profiles left and right on the inside of the open door to act as guide rails and light-traps for a roller blind.

Cheers,
~andi

kingbuzzie · Mar 21, 2017

~andi said:
Very nice. Which way did you go with the open door? Curtain? How did it work out. I personally rather like the idea of having a curtain to enter the darkroom.... somehow reminiscent of mid century french movies

Another idea would be to attach two U-shaped aluminum profiles left and right on the inside of the open door to act as guide rails and light-traps for a roller blind.

Cheers,
~andi

I'm going with a sort of semi-light trap with blackout curtain across inside of open doorway. I think it will work well enough. Just waiting on the material to arrive in the mail at this point.

ac12 · Mar 22, 2017

Yay

~andi · Mar 23, 2017

Vaughn · Mar 23, 2017

You could always go with large format and alt printing processes -- less worry about an odd light leak or two. Expose outside in that Texas sun!

Until I get my darkroom built, the bathroom can be made light-tight at night to load film into daylight developing tanks/drums. Jobo 3005 and 3006 is what I use for 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10, and have a couple double-reel 120 SS tanks and SS reels. Then I develop the next day or two in the kitchen -- whenever convienent. I can tray develop in the bathroom, but I need to improve the (totally lacking) ventilation. Platinum print in the kitchen (I'm single), but I am looking forward to the dedicated darkroom space!

kingbuzzie · May 30, 2017

So the darkroom nook is 100% finished. Chemicals and paper to the right on the shelf and you can see the partially closed blackout curtain to the left. It has drapery weights in the bottom hem to keep it straight and I can even print during the day if I gaffer tape the edges to the wall. At night with the kitchen light off it is not even needed.

tedr1 · May 30, 2017

Excellent, very resourceful, happy printing

Landry room nook / darkroom conversion

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