Large Tanks

[ChrisW]

I am looking for advice on large tray black and white printing alternatives. My current set up is 20x24 trays, but I want to print 40 inches. 40x30 trays are over 100 clams each, and are impossible to lift and drain without creating a superfund spill. The Nova system looks perfect, but only goes to 20x24. Should I consider a custom plastics manufacturer? Are there any other vertical containers that would suffice?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Nick Zentena]

Maybe a rubber maid tank? You know the ones with lids. I don't know if they have one that large but they might.

Drill a hole and install a drain. Attach a hose to the drain and you'll have luxury -)

I'd take a stroll to the local store and see what they have.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

For big trays, look in hardware stores and garden stores. I've seen people using things like wallpaper troughs, rolling the paper through the chemicals or using the seesaw method with something like a poster hanger at each end of the paper to keep it from curling in. I think there are also large flat trays for use in greenhouses that might work.

 

[ChrisW]

Thanks Nick and David. Is there any image comprimise when using the trough method? I seem to recall a mention of this alternative in an Ilford publication. Something about rolling the paper one way, then reversing the curl.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I haven't used the trough method myself, but I've seen prints made that way, and it seems to work. If you're interested in a workshop in this, there is one offered here (Silver Gelatin Mural printing)--

http://www.cfaahp.org/content/view/1/2/

I've seen their mural projection room and darkrooms while attending another workshop, and I know they use the trough method for big prints.

 

[Nick Zentena]

A couple more thoughts.

Hot water tank trays. The square ones might be big enough.

If this is a one off you can make trays. Use something like 2x4s for a frame then line it with water proof plastic.

 

[photobum]

David as always gave you the proper low down. It's been over 30 years since I last made poster size prints with wallpaper tubs but it's still the same. Plan on about three min. in the devevoper. You use a see saw action, just like roll film in trays during the age of dinosaurs. Having a helper to hold the other side helps. If not, make two long wooden clamps to hold each side of the paper. Trying to hold each side with just one hand invites ripping the project. I doubt very much the paper today is toughter than when I last did it. Shredding a perfect 30x40 print in the final wash invites depression.