Making My Proof Print Dryer Look Like New Again...

[ic-racer]

I got this print dryer in 1974. I stopped using it for print drying in the 1980s when I went to drying screens and over-night drying.

In the 1980s I used a microwave oven to dry test prints. That microwave broke around 2002 so I found the old print dryer from 1974 and put it back in to service.

Then, just the other day it stopped producing heat

I really could not finish the printing session. Since the 1980s I evaluate the test prints when they are dry only. I have no interest in trying to guess about wet test prints.

This is how I rectified the situation....

 

[ic-racer]

 

[ic-racer]

I bought a new one!

Pretty crazy I found the exact same model I got in 1974 for less than $20 on the internet.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

There's nothing like the smell of freshly dried paper prints.

My father also had a print dryer like this in his darkroom and I burned my fingers on it countless times.

 

[ic-racer]

When I got the first one in 1974 it came with two ferrotype tins and we used "Pakosol" ferrotype fluid to make the glossy prints. I still recall the smell of the Pakosol.

 

[mshchem]

Beautiful old machine!