Paterson Auto Print Washer repair

hoffy · Jan 20, 2012

I tell you what, I think people must see me coming when it comes to buying stuff off of ebay.

I bought a Paterson Auto Print washer - the older one with a clear tank - and guess what, its broke. The water channel has come away from the tank, so the thing doesn't build up enough pressure to oscillate the rack.

OK, the good thing about this, is that it should be an easy fix. Not being a plastic expert, but would something like epoxy or JB weld be OK? Or what about standard grade silicon?

Cheers

NB23 · Jan 20, 2012

I love that washer!

I dont care about the rocking action. I put the washer into my sink, I plunge a hose from the tap directly into the washer and I forget about it for the next hour or so.

Brilliant device for the way I use it. And it's really compact!

Mark Crabtree · Jan 20, 2012

I'm not a plastics expert either, but generally use a strong, slow curing clear epoxy over fiberglass cloth (in automotive supply stores, for repair work). I repaired a Jobo tank aobut 15 years ago that way and it is still fine.

I have one of those washers laying around (too bad you're on the other side of the globe) and should look at it to see what part it is you're fixing, but if there is room for the cloth reinforcement, then you aren't having to rely on just the adhesive bond at the broken joint. Moisture will still probably work its way in eventually, but you might get some good long use.

rmolson · Jan 21, 2012

auto print washer

You can get a repair kit from Paterson but it doesn't mean it will work and oscillate the rack The one I got didn't.Besides the current opinion is that it doesn't help and might even hinder washing

bdial · Jan 21, 2012

I got tired of the rude noises the oscalating mechanism
makes and removed it. Most of the time it didn't work anyway, and I get a better wash with flowing more water than with the mech. in place.

NB23 · Jan 21, 2012

The mechanis is supposed to work with a veeeery low water flow. Very low. As soon as it's stronger it stops working.

hoffy · Jan 21, 2012

Well, I through caution to the wind and fixed it with some alerdite (epoxy). It seems to work fine, I just hope that the epoxy keys into the plastic and stays stuck.

As for the noise? Serious? That annoys people? Have you guys been living in a monastery?

As for the water flow, I thought the whole idea of washing fibre prints was more about giving the paper a chance to diffuse into the water then high water flow? Granted, I wouldn't wash RC prints in one, but these are more designed for fibre anyway?

bdial · Jan 21, 2012

I have two Patterson washers, an 8x10 and a 12x16. The 8x10 was quiet enough, but for the 12x16 the valving that operates the oscillating arm makes quite a lot of noise. (at least mine does, and I've read other references about it's noise making).
Even though both have the oscillating feature, the inlet designs are quite different.

As for the flow, it mostly would not oscillate at any flow, and when I tested for retained hypo, I found that even an hour of washing wasn't sufficient with the flow rate that gave minimal noise. Removing the valve eliminated the noises, and I can get enough flow that 1/2 hour to 45 minutes results in a good wash.
YMMV

Paterson Auto Print Washer repair

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