Options for large (20x24") easels

DutchDarkroom · Nov 16, 2025

Hey all,

I've recently built a new darkroom, it's built to be capable of printing up to 20x24". I have the trays and enlarger to do so but i'm missing one final piece, the easel. I bid on a 20x24 saunders one but the seller seems to send his messages by carrier pigeon and has deleted the ad today. I've also looked into building one myself, i've seen options for ones with fixed frames but since i change around my composition with every negative this doesn't seem practical to me. Or can i just cut my print afterward? I've also seen someone built a vacuum easel but this seems a bit complicated and not very useful in the end. I've found little resources on building a normal style easel. I am decently handy and have a good amount of tools, my brother is studying mechanical engineering so i could ask for some help. I'm based in the Netherlands.

What do you guys think a fair price is if i find a 20x24 easel again?
And does anybody know of other options to build one myself?

logan2z · Nov 16, 2025

There's one on my local Craigslist here in Northern California, but that won't be too useful to you in the Netherlands. But it might give you some idea of (asking) prices...

Saunders 20 x 24 inch Darkroom Easel. - photo/video - by owner - electronics sale - craigslist

Selling my Saunders 20 x 24 inch Darkroom easel. Good condition. These are no longer being made. The only one being made today costs $1100 so this is a bargain. Get it while it lasts. Pickup only....

sfbay.craigslist.org

DutchDarkroom · Nov 16, 2025

Thanks for your response,
I've only seen them go for around 1000 on ebay, the one in Germany was €500. So that's a good deal, i could try to ship it here but with import and shipping costs it's probably not worth it. Thanks anyway!

Ron789 · Nov 16, 2025

I bought my RRB 20*24 easel through Marktplaats some 7 years ago for €100; saw one a few years ago for €50

DutchDarkroom · Nov 16, 2025

Getting an RRB easel might be a bit easier but i probably won't get it for that price, you must have been very lucky! How is that easel working for you? It looks pretty nice but you have to offset it a lot to make smaller prints right?

Pieter12 · Nov 16, 2025

DutchDarkroom said:
Thanks for your response,
I've only seen them go for around 1000 on ebay, the one in Germany was €500. So that's a good deal, i could try to ship it here but with import and shipping costs it's probably not worth it. Thanks anyway!

Why would there be import fees within the EU? Plus it might be cheaper for you to just go and pick it up in person.

DutchDarkroom · Nov 17, 2025

Pieter12 said:
Why would there be import fees within the EU? Plus it might be cheaper for you to just go and pick it up in person.

My mistake, i see how i was unclear. I meant import fees on the one in california, the one in germany was a good deal but the seller didn't respond and the ad has been deleted.

ic-racer · Nov 17, 2025

I didn't really make a 20x24" 4-blade easel. But, I did find a beat-up one within my driving distance a few years ago:

Making a 20x24 4-blade easel...

I have always held the contention that when making something, you should get raw materials that are as close to the intended size and shape as you can. This makes fabrication and construction easier. In this case I found a collection of parts that were already in the rough shape of a 4-blade easel:

www.photrio.com

MARTIE · Nov 17, 2025

My advice would be to place a WTB listing on Marktplaats.
By explaining your situation and showing some darkroom pic's, it could trigger a (charitable) response.

Show some flexibility in make and model, include relevant search terms and refresh from time to time. You could also place it in several categories.

Don_ih · Nov 17, 2025

If you know what crop sizes you'll want on 20x24, you could get a piece of particle board cut to a large enough size and cut crop masks out of 1/8 hardboard that's the same size as the particle board. Not the most convenient but it would work.

Otherwise, the Want to Buy ad is a good way to go. Also actively search out general darkroom equipment. I got my big Saunders easel when looking for a 4x5 enlarger. It was thrown in with the purchase.

Lachlan Young · Nov 17, 2025

DutchDarkroom said:
It looks pretty nice but you have to offset it a lot to make smaller prints right?

For 12x16 or smaller, get a smaller easel - RRB's 2-bladers are durable and much less restrictive in some ways than Saunders 4-blades, but the trade off is that they can be more awkward (unless you are working with a floor-standing or wall mounted enlarger with a large table assembly) for smaller sheets and deeper margins.

xkaes · Nov 17, 2025

I use a Beseler Universal 20x24. It's big and heavy, but EZ to use and MATTE BLACK with adjustable spring loaded frame. Part # 8502.

ags2mikon · Nov 17, 2025

I love my vacuum easel. It's all I use for large prints. You can make them with pegboard and a shop vacuum. I had one that someone had made many years ago.

Neal · Nov 17, 2025

While not a perfect solution, when I print using 20x24 paper I use a comparatively inexpensive borderless easel and "crop" when I mat the print.

Good luck!

Ron789 · Nov 17, 2025

DutchDarkroom said:
Getting an RRB easel might be a bit easier but i probably won't get it for that price, you must have been very lucky! How is that easel working for you? It looks pretty nice but you have to offset it a lot to make smaller prints right?

The RRB easel works perfectly fine for me. Lucky to buy one for that price? Maybe, but patience saves lots of money. If you want to buy one immediately you'll pay a fortune; if you patiently wait and watch Marktplaats (or similar sites, not eBay) daily, sooner or later you'll run into a good offer. For smaller prints I use smaller easels (Dunco, Leitz)

David R Williams · Nov 18, 2025

ic-racer said:
I didn't really make a 20x24" 4-blade easel. But, I did find a beat-up one within my driving distance a few years ago:

Making a 20x24 4-blade easel...

I have always held the contention that when making something, you should get raw materials that are as close to the intended size and shape as you can. This makes fabrication and construction easier. In this case I found a collection of parts that were already in the rough shape of a 4-blade easel:

www.photrio.com

It looks like all your photos are missing from that post - any chance you could update it so we can see what you built and how you did so?

ic-racer · Nov 18, 2025

David R Williams said:
It looks like all your photos are missing from that post - any chance you could update it so we can see what you built and how you did so?

I noticed the missing pictures a few years ago and reposted them starting with post #14

Options for large (20x24") easels

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