Make-Shift Darkroom Set Up Help

[Cassanalog]

Hello! I'm making my first dark room in my guest bathroom which is pretty light-tight (I got Duvetyne to put over the door). Am planning to develop in the tub. My question is: does anyone have a recommendation for a table/enlarger space that can fit over a 39" sink? My issue is that I don't want to build a table because then I don't really have space for it when it is not in use. I was hoping for something collapsible. I found a camp table that would almost work, but the extenders for the legs would run into the sink/the toilet would also probably be in the way. I tried to use my Pyle stand that is for my projector, but it doesn't feel quite stable and makes me nervous. Any suggestions? I found some stand up desks that might fit, but they are expensive and I don't know what I'd do with the table when guests are around. A collapsible table would fit in the tub, but would be low and that's where I want to do the prints. I've attached photos. Thanks for looking!

 

[gone]

I assume you mean that you'll put your developing trays in the tub? Might want to put a wide board across the tub and put them on that, but really, your best bet is to stack them upright on racks. Even a few milk crates would work. The tub would be fine for washing the prints. The enlarger needs to be of table height and steady, so maybe put something across the sink and put it there. You want to be in a comfortable position while focusing. That's about it except for a safelight, and I use a cheap red bulb I bought from Freestyle. It's a small space, so keep it away from the print area.

 

[Cassanalog]

Right, I have everything I need, but am looking for suggestions for a table that will fit over a sink but can be stored. Was hoping someone might be using something that addresses my particular problem and could make a suggestion.

 

[Kino]

Measure the sink for the best possible size of board to be practical and go thrift shopping for tripods with good sturdy legs.
Buy at least a couple and attach the legs to the board; you'll have to be creative. You might even be able to fold the legs if you are clever with the mounting principal...

Edit: you could also use pipe flanges and galvanized pipe mounted to the board. Felt on the lower flanges, the upper screwed to the board. That way, you could break it down easily and it could hold a lot of weight.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Having done conversions like this:

I gave up on finding something already made and decided I needed to make my own 'furniture' from 2x4's and plywood.

I built a table over the toilet to hold the enlarger. The table height was at a comfortable height for working while standing. Two shelves under the table top held paper boxes and the usual enlarger clutter.

I left the sink clear for rinsing hands and making up chemicals.

A mash-up of old refrigerator shelves and 2x4's held the trays above the bathtub. The bathtub below was for a large tray for holding/washing prints - from the days of fiber paper; for RC paper it's best not to keep the paper wet for any longer than necessary. Leaning down to the level of the top of the tub was pain enough, trays at the bottom of the tub was a crick in the back too far.

This was in an apartment and when working at night with the living room drapes drawn I could leave the door open for more air and listening to the living room stereo, made things much more civilized.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a large thick plywood board that I place over my double sinks in the bathroom for the trays. I use the bathtub for the print washer.

My enlarge is quite heavy so I leave it set up in a bedroom and never move it.

I hope these ideas help you.

 

[MattKing]

If you have room to store the table top separately, buy detachable leg sets from IKEA or some place similar.
For the tub, I buy wire shelving cut to length at my local large chain hardware store - the bottom piece stretches across lengthwise and rests on the edge of the tub, and the top rests on IKEA plastic bins.
Like this:

 

[Truzi]

That looks like a difficult space to convert. As suggested above, making something to suit your needs is probably the best idea. It doesn't have to be pretty, just stable. Shorter legs can be more stable - does it have to be over the sink? If you don't mind kneeling, making a shorter table over the toilet may work well.
I do like MattKing's idea best.

As far as storing it... where do you keep your enlarger? I found a cabinet with wheels that I can roll into the bathroom (not sure if you have the space) and I keep the enlarger on that when not in use, with equipment and paper stored in the cabinet part. The area I used to put everything was then free to store other things.

 

[MattKing]

As far as storing it... where do you keep your enlarger? I found a cabinet with wheels that I can roll into the bathroom (not sure if you have the space) and I keep the enlarger on that when not in use, with equipment and paper stored in the cabinet part. The area I used to put everything was then free to store other things.

I use a wheeled wire microwave cart with a couple of shelves for the same purpose.
You can see it here:

 

[Cassanalog]

I'm into exploring this. We have one classic, heavy tripod laying around already. I just need to figure out how to mount it...

 

[Cassanalog]

Truzi, Right now I am storing it on a shelf in the laundry room which I hope to turn into my darkroom once we get a sink installed in there. But for now the bathroom seems like the easiest space to convert and would have the least light leaks...

 

[wiltw]

You can buy legs that have a threaded screw in the end of each leg, and these screw into base pieces screwed onto the corners of a board. I did that when I was an apartment dweller, to be able to set up a table sized to fit the shower enclosure. Since the legs unscrewed, I could store the table top without legs, leaned against a wall in a closet, with the legs stored alongside.
One could size a table so its legs stradled a sink/cabinet/toilet. If it straddled the toilet, you would still have a working faucet and drain of the sink to use.

 

[Paul Howell]

Do you own or rent? The reason I ask is that you turn the water off then remove the toilet, cover the opening with plyboard then buy or build a table to fit for your enlarger. Second use the shower to mix chemistry, wash and even dry film and FB prints. For printing build a cover for the sink and use a motor base with paper drums, a couple of 8X10 and 11X14 should work, with most enlargers printing 16X20 can be a problem.

 

[hol571]

I know you prefer something over the sink, but I found my kids folding table, just like this one: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-Products-Children-s-24-Square-Folding-Table/48565814 fits nicely over my toilet and is pretty sturdy (also found through home depot or costco). Holds the weight of the 23C or 50lb kid just fine

 

[grain elevator]

If it must be over the sink, leave enough space to use it to rinse your hands!
But the space looks large enough for better solutions. If you mount a board along an entire wall, it doesn't need legs (except maybe some support in the middle), it can rest on little somethings you screw to the walls. They don't need to protrude much. Then you just have to lift the board out when not in use

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Cassanog

Thats a tough place to set up, work in, and clean up. Look for trade offs using another space. My DR is a laundry room usable when it’s dark. I’m up at 4:20 am and work till sunrise. I place 1/8th plywood on a washer for expanded tray area. Your enlarger could go on the dryer. Use a Jr Red bulb in a chicken coop reflective dish. Fortunately the kitchen is outside of the laundry door. My hold tray in the kitchen.

You can make your space work. Anything is possible. I would try to get the trays higher. Bending over will tired you out.