Printing Out Frames... I might make some..

vickersdc · Jan 10, 2010

Just to 'finish' the story, I thought I'd post an image of the printing frame in use, for real

Cheers,
David.

77seriesiii · Jan 15, 2010

David,

Looks awesome and a very nice job putting it together! A question on the clear glass used for the front, was it anything special? How thick? The reason I am asking...I have two contact frames that I just purchased that are missing the glass and would like to get that to get them up and running.

Thanks

Erick

vickersdc · Jan 15, 2010

It's just standard 2mm thick float glass, with the edges smoothed so that I don't cut myself when handling it!

77seriesiii · Jan 15, 2010

ROCK ON! I've sheets of the stuff. Wife had a gallery showing in Brussels and we had to replace the glass in the frames to something thicker. All the replaced glass is 2mm and sitting upstairs away from a prying puppy dog.

Set aside a few sheets to cut and drop in and the rest is for collodion negatives, getting excited now. Time to make up some salted paper and go forth.

Thanks for the rapid response.

BTW have you decided how much your frames will cost and are you going to make more for sale? If so count me in! Or are you going to supply the bits and bobs w/ plans for a DIY kit? either way I'm very interested.

Erick

vickersdc · Jan 15, 2010

Hi Erick,

Collodion, huh? Not tried that before - I'm still struggling trying to pour liquid emulsion on to gelatin'ed glass! At the moment, I'm having lots of fun recreating the cyanotypes as per a c1900-1910 photographic book that I have; I'm even making my own paper

My book also mentions the creation of salted paper and that was something else I wanted to try; I have the arrowroot and a few other bits and pieces for salting the paper, but haven't got the silver nitrate, etc. for sensitising it. I'd love to see some examples of your salted paper prints in the future.

Apart from that, I've got a number of projects on the go, and so the "frames project" is currently on-hold, but I had intended to make, and supply, them complete (to order). Watch this space - I'm pretty confident that having made one, and now wanting to make a version II for my own use, that these will be for sale later on.

vickersdc · Mar 26, 2010

Quick update on the printing frames... I've just ordered a little milling machine, so now I can achieve an even higher degree of accuracy when making these things! I've been using my frame for a little while now, and I'm very happy with it - even used it to print on to glass (tightening the screws up very gingerly!). Once I've made a couple of minor changes and got used to the milling machine, then we might just be ready to start making these things..?

I've also started to make my own 9x12 field camera, but that's another story...

Akki14 · Mar 26, 2010

vickersdc said:
Quick update on the printing frames... I've just ordered a little milling machine, so now I can achieve an even higher degree of accuracy when making these things! I've been using my frame for a little while now, and I'm very happy with it - even used it to print on to glass (tightening the screws up very gingerly!). Once I've made a couple of minor changes and got used to the milling machine, then we might just be ready to start making these things..?

I've also started to make my own 9x12 field camera, but that's another story...

I'd be interested in an 10x8, please contact printing frame, not a field camera...

vickersdc · Mar 26, 2010

Akki14 said:
I'd be interested in an 10x8, please contact printing frame, not a field camera...

Hi Heather, your interest is noted - I'll get back to you with a price (no obligation). Are you looking to contact print film negatives, glass plates or something else?

David.

Akki14 · Mar 27, 2010

vickersdc said:
Hi Heather, your interest is noted - I'll get back to you with a price (no obligation). Are you looking to contact print film negatives, glass plates or something else?

David.

4x5 normal film onto 8x10 paper so the 8x10 frame doesn't need to be "oversized" for 8x10 negatives or anything like that. I have 8x10 lith film but I never print that big; I prefer no bigger than 5x7 when I do enlarge onto lith film.

I'm sure any UK supplier of 8x10 contact frames might get overwhelmed, just as a warning! Everyone seems to want one of that size but there's very few suppliers. I'd be happy to test for you if you need to (since I work with cyanotype and a UV light box) or report back after I buy one from you. I'm having to use a paterson contact printing frame and just base exposures off of timing rather than visual inspection right now.

vickersdc · Mar 31, 2010

Hi Heather,

Let me PM you, and we can work something out; I'd like to have it tested by someone anyway and I've no problem with making some up. I do have a couple of smaller projects that I need to get out of the way first, but...

Cheers,
David

vickersdc · Apr 12, 2010

Heather's Printing Frame...

Work has started on a second printing frame (10x8 size). It will be made from American White Oak, and I've profiled a length of wood to make the frame from.

I've also made 6 brass knobs - 4 for the back, and 2 to hold the leather handle on with.

So, just for Heather, here are the brass knobs as they stand at the moment (they need to be finished off / polished - but you'll get the idea).

Akki14 · Apr 12, 2010

Yay knobs! They're lovely I'm so glad my frame will be made from American White Oak too

vickersdc · Apr 12, 2010

Akki14 said:
Yay knobs! They're lovely I'm so glad my frame will be made from American White Oak too

Yes, I'm trying to save the English Oaks

Akki14 · Apr 13, 2010

vickersdc said:
Yes, I'm trying to save the English Oaks

Ahh you have loads of them. Foresters have always planned and planted a nice fresh supply throughout the history of British woodlands to know that they will be chopped down sometime.

US on the other hand, I don't think they do that... it's just a given that you have to clear a load of forest to put up more cardboard box housing. At least it seems that way back in New Hampshire.

Printing Out Frames... I might make some..

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency