print washer: experiences

fred · Nov 3, 2005

Hello,

Next purchase will be a good (archive) print washer.
For prints with maximum measurement: 16/20 inch (40/50cm) or 20/24 inch (50/60cm).
And, let's say, at least for six prints.
Also usable for smaller prints.

I did do some "google": I discovered brands like Nova, Versalab, Deville.
Are there others brands?
Which brand are you working with?
What are your experiences, advise, disappointments?
Would you do the same choice for a new print washer?

Many thanks
Fred

Robert Hall · Nov 3, 2005

I like this brand...

http://www.summitek.com/

I've had several. Each one has used very little water and does a great job at washing prints.

Dave Miller · Nov 3, 2005

I use a Nova unit, and can recommend them.

Lee Shively · Nov 3, 2005

I use the Versalab and I'm very satisfied with it. It's not pretty but it gets the job done and didn't cost a fortune.

TimVermont · Nov 3, 2005

I echo Lee's sentiments on the Versalab.

Wayne · Nov 3, 2005

me three

grahamp · Nov 3, 2005

I am happy with my Versalab. The fact that it was a birthday present from my wife has nothing to do with that opinion

Some people have reservations about the design because the prints are not completely isolated from each other. I batch wash, so it is not a problem for me. The separators are flexible, which makes retrieving small prints simple. The other useful thing is that the print separators are removable, which allows the tank to be adapted for bigger prints (up to the water depth).

Ultimately a print washer is just a container for prints where the water can be changed conveniently.

Bob F. · Nov 3, 2005

You may want to use the soak-and-dump method at some point, in which case a washer with a fast dump facility is very useful.

Cheers, Bob.

jp80874 · Nov 3, 2005

Be sure you go with the largest size you will ever need.

Nova five slot 16x20
Calumet twelve slot 20 x 24

One for small jobs, both for volume of 16x20 or larger.

John Powers

jvarsoke · Nov 3, 2005

yup, love my versalab. So does David Vestal, apparently.

Blighty · Nov 3, 2005

I use one made by (or for) Silverprint. In most respects very much like the Nova type, but cheaper. It's also very well constructed. I think a quick-dump (fnarr fnarr!!) facility is essential

fred · Nov 4, 2005

Many thanks for all the answers, already.

@ BOB: What do you mean by the soap and dump method, where can I find the description? Book, website or other?

@Blighty: Same question: what's the quick-dump facility?

Many thanks!
Fred

Bob F. · Nov 4, 2005

Soak and dump: Fill washer. Switch off water. Put prints in. Soak prints for 15 mins. Dump water. Refill washer. Repeat 4 or 5 times... You can probably just use just 3 cycles if you use hypo-clear before the first wash. One thread here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Cheers, Bob.

removed account4 · Nov 4, 2005

i've an oriental print washer.
i pretty much never use it, and just soak and then do fill and dumps.
i make sure that i have at least 20 exchanges of water.
i should probably sell the washer, but never have ....

blansky · Nov 4, 2005

I use a 20x24 Calumet.

Michael

Konical · Nov 4, 2005

Good Evening, Fred,

Another vote for the Versalab.

Konical

jovo · Nov 4, 2005

Yup...Versalab. I have the 11x14 and the 16 x 20. Easy to use, not too expensive, self-regulating, and it has a large (14 prints, I think) capacity.

Flotsam · Nov 4, 2005

blansky said:
I use a 20x24 Calumet.

Michael

Does that do double duty as a Jacuzzi?

David · Nov 4, 2005

If the contemporary conventional wisdom is that soaking with water changes is good enough to cleanse the paper of fixer, is there any testing that demonstrates this? I'm about to need a 20x24 washer and am undecided about the best way to proceed. I currently use a Summitek Cascade and it has worked very well indeed for about 7 years.

blansky · Nov 5, 2005

Flotsam said:
Does that do double duty as a Jacuzzi?

For 12 really skinny people.

Michael

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 5, 2005

David said:
If the contemporary conventional wisdom is that soaking with water changes is good enough to cleanse the paper of fixer, is there any testing that demonstrates this? I'm about to need a 20x24 washer and am undecided about the best way to proceed. I currently use a Summitek Cascade and it has worked very well indeed for about 7 years.

Yes, there is a lot of testing to archival requirements that confirms this (by Ilford, Kodak, et al). For Fiber Based Paper two bath fixing in an ammonium thiosulfate based fixer is recommended, followed by a hypo clearing agent bath, then soaking and dumping with several complete water changes. This takes advantage of the fact that fixer removal is a chemical diffusion process, thus soaking is the fastest and most effecient method of fixer removal.

Do an APUG search and/or Google this subject for more information.

Blighty · Nov 5, 2005

@Blighty: Same question: what's the quick-dump facility?

Fred,
Quick-dump is just a way of emptying the tank quickly. On my Silverprint unit, you raise a sort of 'gate' and the tank empties within about 20~30 seconds. If current thinking on archival washing techniques is correct, then a quick dump facility makes the whole job a lot easier and quicker. Regards, BLIGHTY

Thilo Schmid · Nov 5, 2005

I second the recommendation of the Nova units, especially the ACADEMY series with seperate hypo clearing slots.

fred · Nov 5, 2005

Many thanks all of you, I keep following the advises and about new-year I will do myself a present.

Kind Regards

Fred

Saganich · Nov 5, 2005

The versalab are the least expensive new. The used market is a good way to go. I have two, a 11x14 versalab and a 16x20 I built myself for about $200. For the do-it-your self one I designed it as a flow-through washer with a quick-dump option, I wish there was a quick-fill option!) I have the plans on my website. http://www.imagebrooklyn.com/Tank.htm Since using the tank there are some changes I would make, but the design was for filling, soaking and rapid dumping, which is the only proper way to wash paper or film.

I also modified my 11x14 versalab, adding another drain so i can dump under 5 minutes. The 16x20 dumps 23 gallons in 90 seconds.

print washer: experiences

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