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.
These work on the principle of the Pythagoras cup, or "greedy cup" (and similar to a "dribble glass", except those depend on tipping the start the siphon) -- the siphon's upper end defines the maximum water level, and the intake defines the lower. A length of small plastic pipe, a couple elbows, and a compatible bulkhead union (to go through a drilled hole in the bottom of the tank) will let you build such a siphon for $10-$15 in parts (including a can of pipe cement).
The downside of a siphon style washer in a deep tank is the large amount of water required for each cycle, against the low flow needed to ensure the siphon can empty the tank while working against the inflow; your prints will spend relatively a lot of time mostly uncovered. For a deep tank, I'd prefer an overflow style, where water is introduced from below, flows upward past the prints, and then overflows into the sink or a drain hose. In a tank with dividers, this doesn't even require drilling the tank; just leave the slot nearest one tank wall vacant (with a higher divider than the rest) and run the water in there; it'll flow down, under the bottoms of the dividers, then back up and pool at the top. A very slight tilt will control where it overflows. Overflow can wash well with even lower flow rate than a siphon, in a vertical tank, and doesn't have the potential for prints to slump in their slots and contact the dividers, picking up scratches or textures or getting stuck.
even that is not easily achieved in paraguay... the market is very small10 lbs would last me a very, very, very long time.
Amazon.ca would charge me $83 CDN for 2 pounds.
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.
Alastair Inglis, of print washer and pin registered system fame.Who's Alastair, anyway?
I'm watching on the internet and your products are well remembered, hopefully you can share your drawingsAlastair Inglis, of print washer and pin registered system fame.
A photographer and manufacturer in my area who very recently retired and closed his business.
I know several people who knew him well - he has been active here in the photographic community for a very long time - but I don't know him personally.
I'm not Alastair - I just know of him due to his involvement in our local photographic community.I'm watching on the internet and your products are well remembered, hopefully you can share your drawings
Alastair Inglis, of print washer and pin registered system fame.
A photographer and manufacturer in my area who very recently retired and closed his business.
I know several people who knew him well - he has been active here in the photographic community for a very long time - but I don't know him personally.
Alastair Inglis, of print washer and pin registered system fame.
A photographer and manufacturer in my area who very recently retired and closed his business.
I know several people who knew him well - he has been active here in the photographic community for a very long time - but I don't know him personally.
Yes, I know I'm not talking to Alastair... my Spanish expressions are not suitable for the translator. I'll pay attention before I upload an answer... my apologies.I'm not Alastair - I just know of him due to his involvement in our local photographic community.
No apologies are required. I wish I could communicate in Spanish - you do very well in English.Yes, I know I'm not talking to Alastair... my Spanish expressions are not suitable for the translator. I'll pay attention before I upload an answer... my apologies.
If I have to fix the divisions with the tools or materials I have in my neighborhood..If you wish to make your own larger than 8x10 you can use plastic garden trellis [XXXXX] from the home improvement stores as dividers. They come in 4'x8' sheets and can be cut and drilled with hand tools. Then go to the hardware section and find threaded aluminum or stainless rods and use nuts or plastic spacers so you get ||_|_|_|_||. Drop into a cheap storage bin. No need for fancy pump mechanisms. Water in , water out, change water every few minutes. Fluid dynamics implies you can not displace water in a tank without intervention, water will take the path of least resistance, meaning it will go from inlet to outlet with minimal exchange along the way. In large Fish ponds we drain 10-20% of the water then replace it to get fluid exchange. For water disruption in ponds we use air to force the heavier solids to the bottom and to oxygenate, but not sure you want bubbles while washing prints.
You can also use the trellis divider assembly for a drying rack when done.vertical or horizontal.
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