Print Washers and their use

peter16 said:

print washer is Kostiner and includes hose attachment.

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Certain Exposures said:

Just curious - how would you rate your experience with print washers like this one in general? Would you say it's a significant lifestyle improvement in the darkroom?

I've debated whether or not I should get one instead of using several trays lined up. The issue is that the outer dimensions of the washer probably wouldn't match my "wet" space and I don't have a compatible faucet setup.

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peter16 said:

Just curious - how would you rate your experience with print washers like this one in general? Would you say it's a significant lifestyle improvement in the darkroom?

Almost all the darkrooms I've ever worked in, schools, printing labs, and a few professional artists, used print washers.
if you don't have the space or plumbing and don't mind the labor of tray washing then that's fine too. I am tired after a long print session from running them through all the other chem baths and think it's worth it to let the washer run and know they are washed all the way. I ran a splitter from the back of my toilet, think I posted about it on here somewhere.

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peter16 said:

Just curious - how would you rate your experience with print washers like this one in general? Would you say it's a significant lifestyle improvement in the darkroom?

Almost all the darkrooms I've ever worked in, schools, printing labs, and a few professional artists, used print washers.
if you don't have the space or plumbing and don't mind the labor of tray washing then that's fine too. I am tired after a long print session from running them through all the other chem baths and think it's worth it to let the washer run and know they are washed all the way. I ran a splitter from the back of my toilet, think I posted about it on here somewhere.

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RalphLambrecht said:

A washer like this is very useful because it frees you up from controlling the wash. Just let it run on its own for 30 to 60 minutes, and the prints are archivally washed.

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snusmumriken said:

I have had a Nova washer, which is very similar, for about 3 years now. Below is my experience. No doubt others will have different views.

On the plus side, it frees up the bath tub. And it does what it’s supposed to do, although no better than the bath tub.

There are two downsides which I imagine apply to all similar print washers. First, the connecting hoses are a nuisance in a smallish darkroom. Hard plumbing is not really an option because you need to be able to pick the unit up after you’ve drained 95% of the water out by siphon, to empty the last bit. If you don’t, it will grow mould while the darkroom is out of use. Second, despite the baryta, FB paper basically floats in the vertical slots. As a result, the top 5mm or so will not be archivally washed unless you keep poking it back in or turning the prints over. This is not a problem if you will be trimming that margin off later. In my case, printing 35mm on standard paper sizes, I make sure the wide margin is at the top in the washer, and trim it off when dry.

My other grumbles are about the Nova model specifically - but as I said, on balance I am glad to have the thing.

Hope this helps.

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Certain Exposures said:

You could probably make something to sit on top of the device to push paper in all the way. I am surprised they don't already make that.

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snusmumriken said:

Yes, given as bench saw and some thick acrylic that accessory would be simple to make. Unfortunately, I only have hand tools.

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Paul Howell said:

For FB paper I use either an archive washer or a old drum style washer. What I like about the drum washer is that I can hold all the prints in just barely running water, then use a hypo clearing bath, then wash for 20 mints or until the residual hypo check is clear, then stain or dry.

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snusmumriken said:

I have had a Nova washer, which is very similar, for about 3 years now. Below is my experience. No doubt others will have different views.

On the plus side, it frees up the bath tub. And it does what it’s supposed to do, although no better than the bath tub.

There are two downsides which I imagine apply to all similar print washers. First, the connecting hoses are a nuisance in a smallish darkroom. Hard plumbing is not really an option because you need to be able to pick the unit up after you’ve drained 95% of the water out by siphon, to empty the last bit. If you don’t, it will grow mould while the darkroom is out of use. Second, despite the baryta, FB paper basically floats in the vertical slots. As a result, the top 5mm or so will not be archivally washed unless you keep poking it back in or turning the prints over. This is not a problem if you will be trimming that margin off later. In my case, printing 35mm on standard paper sizes, I make sure the wide margin is at the top in the washer, and trim it off when dry.

My other grumbles are about the Nova model specifically - but as I said, on balance I am glad to have the thing.

Hope this helps.

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Pieter12 said:

A piece of acrylic, cut a bit smaller than the top dimensions of the washer keeps the prints from floating out. Also, a drop of two of bleach in the washer water before you drain it seems to work to keep algae from growing in the tank. And you should be able to remove all the dividers and reach the bottom of the washer to wipe everything dry.

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Certain Exposures said:

Oh, interesting. Do you have a picture of your drum setup?

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snusmumriken said:

Good thoughts, thanks.

With the Nova (perhaps I should say, with my specimen of he Nova), the water level is slightly below the top of the dividers, so a flat piece of acrylic won't do the job. It would need slots that fit over the tops of the dividers, and actually would probably be a pain to fit because the dividers don't stay absolutely straight. For that reason, it is a pain fitting the dividers back into the slots in the bottom of the tank if removed, especially if I get them out of order or upside-down. I'm unlikely to change to anoiher brand or model now, but I'd be interested to know whether other slot washers have similar idiosyncracies.

I had been shy of putting bleach where my prints will later go, but if you say it is safe in drop-sized measures, I'll give that a try.

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Don_ih said:

I had a fun experience yesterday. I put several prints in my print washer, slipped the hose onto the faucet, and started it up. All was well. I left the room. I always make a point of checking on it after a few minutes, in case it's overflowing for some reason (once, it almost was - no idea why). Anyway, the rubber collar that slips onto the faucet had developed a split and a steady stream of water was shooting up out of it onto the counter. Probably only 1/2 a gallon of water ended up on the floor. If I'd waited an hour to check on it....

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Pieter12 said:

An hour is over-washing. Fiber-based paper can be damaged by that. Ilford recommends 30-45 minutes, even specifies 45 minutes max for their Art 300 paper.

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Don_ih said:

.... and?

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Paul Howell said:

I just set for printing, the washer uses water pressure to spin the drum, mine will take up to 11X14, in the day when I printed 16X20 I used a Kiddy wading pool with 2 Kodak spihions. For RC I use trays.

Not sure why but I cannot load the file, it is under 2mb, just under 500 Kb, JPEG, still will not open. I will try again later.

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