Print Washer

[Paul Howell]

Hi, guys. I'm trying to get past lock-ups and I've decided to make my own paper wash. My problem is that to bring me one from the United States the cost is high, the product must travel to Paraguay. The washing machine I'm thinking about Vertical (space frames in the lab), for copies40x50cm. My doubts are in the entrance of liquid if it is by the side or by the floor of the washing machine the drainage, I am thinking about a species of siphon to empty and with an overflow envelope for the liquid. What you can collaborate on images and videos will be valued. A thousand thanks and a greeting from the south of the hemisphere. Here we are also in isolation.

Manténgase a salvo, guarden prudente distancia.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Seems that this post got off topic, in terms of building a washer, depends on the materials you have access to. There are lots of plans on line for archival made from acrylic, but over the years I've washers made from aluminium, sheet metal, painted with rust resistance paint, and many years ago I saw one made from glass. The person who owned made it from standard glass with a rubber cut as gasket between the glass and held together by very long bolts. It was set up in skink and never moved. Would make me nervous, but she had had any concerns.

 

[logan2z]

Seems that this post got off topic.

My fault, apologies.

 

[NB23]

My fault, apologies.

No, apparently it’s my fault.

 

[Rmaydana]

Muchachos, lindos comentarios hasta los que se olvidaron del titulo del post.. el aporte sincero de cada uno, cada cual colaborando con su experiencia es más que suficiente para emprender el camio.
El vivir en Sudamérica, lejos de los grandes centros de materiales fotográficos no es un problema, solo un obstáculo para saltar.. este es mi resumen
es usar la formula de "In Mysteries Of The Vortex" y en la batea alta una bomba para generar circulación de agua, después de un tiempo hacer el recambio de agua, y entiendo que en tres pasos tendré lista el lavado
la lavadoras de huella, por costo la opción es usada, las nuevas tienen un costo de transporte hacia Sudamérica elevado.
desde ya gracias generales, mantengan distancia, manténganse a salvo.

Guys, nice comments even to those who forgot the title of the post... the sincere contribution of each one, each one collaborating with their experience is more than enough to start the journey.
Living in South America, far from the big centers of photographic materials is not a problem, just an obstacle to jump... this is my summary
is to use the formula of "In Mysteries Of The Vortex" and in the high tray a pump to generate water circulation, after a while make the water change, and I understand that in three steps I will have the wash ready
the print washing, by cost the option is used, the new ones have a high cost of transportation to South America.
from now on thanks generals, keep distance, keep safe.

 

[Rmaydana]

[
David
Thank you very much for the very simple and instructive explanation, I understand that it is the way to not have an excess of water expense,,, in some post I saw that they use bonga to give circulation, I believe that that is my way.
the formula of the hiccups is the same as kodak, for washing the print.

Just as an example for a 10L tray, 9L H2O and 1L hypo are used.

 

[Rmaydana]

Ingenious, you can share the model of pump, I've consulted here, and the ones I find are very small (for fish tanks) and the rest is for gardening, many HP.
You will see to adapt one of those for a 10L bowl...
What I am thinking is to make it have a controlled water inlet and outlet, and the pump recirculating, so I have spare and control over the movement of water.
Water saving and efficiency. The blade will be horizontal, not vertical.

 

[Rmaydana]

That is a perfect method, when you don't have to do tons of prints in one session. I've used it for years and as I'm seventy - eight that is quite a time. To add one little thing to the discussion: to check if a print has been washed sufficiently, you can taste it. Take it out of the tray, let it drip off, and let the last drop fall on your tongue. If fixer is still contained in that drop, you will taste it right away. (it will be clear to everyone not to swallow then). I never had a yellowing or stained print all those years, and no health problems either (remember those 78 years). I am curious if anybody else use this trick, so let us know.

Hello, being 78 years old is more than enough to prove the effectiveness. I will see and use reagents, at some point I will get tired and your method is fast and simple...
I'll keep you posted if I can implement it.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Print washers are nice if you're in the business of pumping out prints. Even though I have two vertical washers (got them really cheap from a retired printer years ago), you cannot beat a tray, HCA, followed by the soak and dump method of washing. Vertical washers take up a lot of room too when space is at a premium... not to mention the amount of water wasted.

 

[Rmaydana]

Print washers are nice if you're in the business of pumping out prints. Even though I have two vertical washers (got them really cheap from a retired printer years ago), you cannot beat a tray, HCA, followed by the soak and dump method of washing. Vertical washers take up a lot of room too when space is at a premium... not to mention the amount of water wasted.

there's a lot of truth in this washing and photo thing. Everyone has their own formula, or choice of materials.
It is worth mentioning that it is convenient if you are in the business, my reality is just to satisfy a facet, a way of capturing, expressing and playing with chemicals.

I don't know about HCA.

I hope to be lucky enough to buy a washing machine, at a bargain price.

Greetings, and keep you safe.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

there's a lot of truth in this washing and photo thing. Everyone has their own formula, or choice of materials.
It is worth mentioning that it is convenient if you are in the business, my reality is just to satisfy a facet, a way of capturing, expressing and playing with chemicals.

I don't know about HCA.

I hope to be lucky enough to buy a washing machine, at a bargain price.

Greetings, and keep you safe.

HCA is hypo clearing agent. It cuts down drastically on wash time/amount of water used when employed. You can buy it or make it from scratch. It's so cheap I prefer to buy it.

 

[Rmaydana]

HCA is hypo clearing agent. It cuts down drastically on wash time/amount of water used when employed. You can buy it or make it from scratch. It's so cheap I prefer to buy it.

That's cheap. I will see of buying one in liquid is simpler to dose, the one of powder must be prepared in stock and I believe that it lasts less, per month I do not make more than two entrances to the laboratory.

 

[hadeer]

Hello, being 78 years old is more than enough to prove the effectiveness. I will see and use reagents, at some point I will get tired and your method is fast and simple...
I'll keep you posted if I can implement it.

That's exactly what happened to me, i got tired using a reagent all the time. It would be nice to hear if you find my 'method' useful.

 

[Rmaydana]

That's exactly what happened to me, i got tired using a reagent all the time. It would be nice to hear if you find my 'method' useful.

the time will come...

 

[john_s]

That's cheap. I will see of buying one in liquid is simpler to dose, the one of powder must be prepared in stock and I believe that it lasts less, per month I do not make more than two entrances to the laboratory.

A small amount of sodium sulphite dissolves readily. No need to make stock. There are more elaborate formulas but a little sodium sulphite is all you really need.

 

[MattKing]

A small amount of sodium sulphite dissolves readily. No need to make stock. There are more elaborate formulas but a little sodium sulphite is all you really need.

I actually use HCA powder and a teaspoon.
HCA is the only photo chemical that I don this with - if there is a small bit of inconsistency from batch to batch, with HCA it really won't matter.
A pouch of HCA powder (designed to make one gallon) fits in a nice, small glass bottle.
It is easier for me to source the HCA pouches than Sodium Sulphite.

 

[Donald Qualls]

It is easier for me to source the HCA pouches than Sodium Sulphite.

Not sure if this is available in Canada, but a couple weeks ago I bought 10 lbs of sodium sulfite powder from Amazon, $35 or so and free shipping. If they'll sell it to you, it has to be cheaper than HCA...

 

[MattKing]

Not sure if this is available in Canada, but a couple weeks ago I bought 10 lbs of sodium sulfite powder from Amazon, $35 or so and free shipping. If they'll sell it to you, it has to be cheaper than HCA...

10 lbs would last me a very, very, very long time.
Amazon.ca would charge me $83 CDN for 2 pounds.

 

[Donald Qualls]

10 lbs would last me a very, very, very long time.
Amazon.ca would charge me $83 CDN for 2 pounds.

Yeah, i figure that's probably several years worth for me, even using it to mix Parodinal, Mytol, and reusable fixer. Half as much would have cost 3/4 the money, though.

Sounds like the seller I got it from isn't on the Canadian flavor of Amazon, then. Or your government is much more concerned about your ability to preserve stuff than mine...

 

[MattKing]

There are a lot of sellers on Amazon.com who just aren't set up to market through Amazon.ca. And of the ones who are, many are selling from their USA distribution channel, so shipping is extraordinarily expensive.
When your market is relatively small, it doesn't attract the sellers who can lower prices due to high volumes.
There are lots of choices if you are looking for sodium metabisulfite

 

[Donald Qualls]

So, then, yet another reason to keep saying "no" when my partner talks about moving to Canada.

Nice country, I've enjoyed a small number of visits, but giving up my guns and my photo chemicals is just too much...

 

[MattKing]

Nice country, I've enjoyed a small number of visits, but giving up my guns and my photo chemicals is just too much...

We actually have a fairly high number of guns in this country - rifles primarily.
Just a really different attitude to them.
And we can get most chemicals. We just can't get them as quickly or cheaply.

 

[Donald Qualls]

My attitude toward guns is different from those who show up at Starbuck's with a rocket launcher, but also different from those who think I ought to need permission to own a pistol. Beyond that, probably not a discussion we should start, as it tends to lead to shouting. Still, now I recall why a lot of Canadians who live very near the border keep a P.O. Box on this side.

 

[MattKing]

Still, now I recall why a lot of Canadians who live very near the border keep a P.O. Box on this side

Which said P.O. Boxes (or in my case, a shipping address), are now inaccessible for probably at least this year, and likely much longer.
I expect that we - you and I - could have a reasonable discussion about the pistol Donald. The things we gain on this side of the border from giving up other things, are probably things that would make some sense to you.
On the subject of Print washers, unfortunately the local manufacturer of what may have been the best, current print washers, Alastair Inglis, has retired.

 

[Donald Qualls]

If you have and know how to use ordinary shop tools, there's no good reason you couldn't fabricate your own print washer (or slot processor, which I've very much considered) from sheet acrylic that's readily available, either from home improvement stores or specialty plastics dealers.

The hard part might be getting the correct solvent weld adhesive -- methylene chloride is the best for this, but it's hard to get even in the USA. I have a tiny bottle, somewhere, that I bought when I was fabricating something out of plastic (I've forgotten what, now, it's been fifteen years or so). The liquid cement for plastic models, that comes in a bottle like nail polish with a small brush inside, is the stuff, but it was quite hard to find last time I wanted some. It's possible plumbing cement (the kind for both PVC and ABS, which has a broad spectrum solvent mix) could work, but it's messy to apply with the swab in the can, thickened (with the wrong plastics), and usually colored (so you can see when you've gotten coverage, so your pipe joints won't leak). Acetone, readily available at Big Box and hardware stores, doesn't work as well, and the other solvents they have (lacquer thinner, if they still offer it) are worse. Enamel reducer is only found at paint stores that sell automotive paint, these days, and isn't really any better. Then you're down to trying to find a source for xylene/toluene (separately or in some mixture), which still aren't really the best solvents for welding acrylic.

Alternative could be to use clear silicone (the kind that's the same as aquarium sealant, but 1/3 the cost due to not being marked for aquarium use), but then there are cleanup issues and the difficulties of assembling and clamping with an adhesive that has very high viscosity and some level of tack, but won't really hold until after considerable curing time.

Still, if I had a table saw, I might well give this a try. Acrylic sheet isn't expensive, compared to buying a slot processor or print washer...

 

[Steve Goldstein]

<snip>
On the subject of Print washers, unfortunately the local manufacturer of what may have been the best, current print washers, Alastair Inglis, has retired.

Has anyone ever attempted to contact Alastair to see if he'd be willing to make his drawings available for others to work from?

I'd love to have a 6-sheet 11x14 washer based on his design. That would be enough for many of my printing sessions and would use less water than my Versalab. I've considered some kind of deep tank with simple separators and a Kodak tray siphon but I'm not sure how effective the siphon would be in a deep vertical tank.