New Darkroom Design suggestions request

[MattKing]

Consider a very slight incline for the sink - to help the water flow to the correct end.

 

[CCLA]

I am figuring 1/8" per foot. But I will run some tests to see how fast the water drains.

claudio

 

[paul ron]

I am figuring 1/8" per foot. But I will run some tests to see how fast the water drains.

claudio

thats the general rule of thumb for piping. your sink may only need to be out by a total of an 1/8" - 1/4" at most over its entire run.

 

[MattKing]

thats the general rule of thumb for piping. your sink may only need to be out by a total of an 1/8" - 1/4" at most over its entire run.

Paul is most likely right, but remember to take into account that once you support it you are more likely to have a sink bottom that isn't perfectly straight.

 

[Luis-F-S]

Paul is most likely right, but remember to take into account that once you support it you are more likely to have a sink bottom that isn't perfectly straight.

That's what Squeegees are for!

 

[CCLA]

And here is the sink on the stand:

claudio

 

[CCLA]

So, I am going to panel the stand and I was wondering what color to paint it. I was thinking about black or white but not sure what would be best?

claudio

 

[CCLA]

Here is one of the finished stand (the other one is done as well). Now I have to paint it. The holes inside the stands are for the hex key to raise or lower the leveling feet.

 

[Arklatexian]

What color do you call your darkroom? That's the nicest shade of gray I've seen.

People tell me what a nice darkroom I have. I copied the pictrure of your finished darkroom to show them what a really nice darkroom looks like. Great looking and looks like it is easy to use. If I had that darkroom it would look that nice and neat until I made my first prints in there. I hope you are proud of what you have......Regards!

 

[CCLA]

Some more progress. I build a shelf that will go between the two supports where the trays will sit. Here is the frame for the shelf:

Here are the support for the middle shelf:

And finally, here is the finished sink:

Now I need to paint the bottom and then I will be done with the sink.

claudio

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi ic-racer,

the more I think about it the more it makes sense to store the processor under the top surface. I would gain a lot of space when the processor is not there and it makes the surface top easier to clean and to build. Besides I would not gain much by having the processor always on top of the counter.

In addition, I see that you have a water filter in addition to the thermo-valve. I do have a thermo-valve, but I have been debating if I should have a water filter as well? A couple of questions: Most filter I see have one for hot and one for cold water, why is this? Are they different in any way?. I think your way of doing it (filter the mixed water) is better as you would have only one filter. Do you have any suggestions on which filter to use?

claudio

the most likely water to need filtering is the cold water from the main water line.my hot water comes from the water heater and less likely to have dirt;also,you want to filter before the temp mixing valve as the electronic kind can be very sensitive to dirt,clogging valves.

 

[Luis-F-S]

I filter the cold tap before it splits to go to the water heater and the chiller. That way, one filter is all that's needed. When I was using well water, I could see definite gunk on the filter. With potable, city water, I don't pick up anything. Still I keep the filter in the line just in case...................

 

[c41]

How's progress on the darkroom? All finished?

 

[CCLA]

Sorry, still working on it. Did not go as fast as I had hoped but I am getting there. I have pictures that I can post and I will over the weekend.

claudio

 

[c41]

That's OK Claudio, 'slow and steady wins the race'
Enjoy the process, I was just curious as I'm thinking of rebuilding my enlarger table and looking for inspiration.

 

[Ai Print]

It's been fun watching your build, please post more pics as you get them! After years of working in a closet, I think I have an upgrade coming...

My wife and I are under contract on a home right now that will finally have ample darkroom space. We only have a few things left to get past and then we can close in a couple weeks. It's been 13 years since I started planning for a real darkroom...fingers crossed.

Here is a rough of the space, there is actually 9 feet to the left of and underneath the stairs on the 20.93' foot wall:

 

[CCLA]

So,

the build has been going slower than I hoped. It seemed that for the whole summer and fall we had something to do every weekend. In the spare time I was able to finish the base of the sink in Black and I put on some doors. Unfortunately the pictures I took along the way of the base got lost and it is now stored in the garage so it is not easy to take new ones. I will take some when I move it in the basement.
Meanwhile, I finished the room itself and the last step is to pain it and put the flooring in. I will post some pictures in a moment.

claudio

 

[CCLA]

Here is the cabinet for the air in filter and fan:

Here is the other side of the air inlet:

Here is the box that will connect the air outlets over the sink:

This is the outlet of the air out box:

Here is a couple of pictures of the inside of the darkroom before spakling and the door going up:

 

[CCLA]

Here is a picture of the outside of the finished room:

And here are a few pictures of the inside:

 

[CCLA]

P.S. Does anybody have a better alternative to photobucket? It has become unusable.

 

[rthollenbeck]

CCLA,

One thing I have found is that I'm never satisfied completely with my darkroom layout. AND the changes I want to make often times involve moving the sink. I suggest you consider stubbing out for your drain and waterline from a suitable location then use PEX to get your destination in the darkroom. Be it crimp connectors or shark-bite, Pex is ez to work with and change. It's also tuff and relatively flexible when compared other water line materials.

I like Early Riser's ventilation system. Not that it can be compared to the greatness of his set up but it had me thinking. I'm definitely going to install a kitchen stove type exhaust hood over my sink.

 

[Luis-F-S]

Like the fur down over the sink. That's what I did on mine. Does not work as well as if you have the suction right above the trays, but it's a lot better than having it elsewhere. Well, you have enough electrical outlets! Great, can't have too many. Also, make sure you can put an A/C filter behind the inlet air register!

 

[mbmarks]

Claudio,

Looking good! Been trying to reach you but your email bounces. Give me a shot.

Best,

Michael

 

[CCLA]

I have been sick this weekend so not much progress, but in the last few weeks I have made progress. I have built all of the cabinets. Now I must build the stand for the sink again. The previous one was too big and I cannot get it into the basement.
Here are a few pictures.

First is the print dryer:

Next is the cabinet which will be the base of the LPL enlarger:

 

[CCLA]

Here is the cabinet for the Leitz enlarger:

Here is the cabinet that will sit next to the sink and hold the print washer and CPP processor. It is quite high, so I will also build a movable step that will allow me to work at a better height: