Stacked Tray Rack

David Ruby · Jul 12, 2004

I've heard mention of people stacking trays in small darkrooms (such as mine) and was wondering if anyone has any links or ideas on where to find them or how to construct them.

My sink is quite narrow and short, and if I want to go any larger than 8x10 I'll need to stack at least two of my trays. I'm thinking of looking for something off the shelf, possibly something like a wire storage rack system you might use under your sink or in your closets. They are usually coated with plastic and pretty stout to stand up to being wet etc..

Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

James P. Smith · Jul 12, 2004

Tray Ladder

Try this one: http://porterscamerastore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?

photomc · Jul 12, 2004

David, sounds like you want a "tray ladder" - can be found at B&H, Porters or Calumet (click the link above for them). I have been playing with the idea of one of these for some time for 11x14 or 16x20...then talked myself out of processing very many 16x20's. Would still consider one for 11x14, I can get 4 trays this size in my sink, but then if I wanted to do 2 trays of fix..well you know the problem. May just get a print washer which should help ... space, it is a darkroom workers best friend or worst enemy...

doughowk · Jul 12, 2004

I built a cart (20'' X 24'' by 37'' tall including rollers). It has the top shelf + 3 pull-out shelves which I can stagger like a ladder set-up. I can wheel it over next to a sink, and in a couple of minutes I'm ready to start processing. The shelves hold up to 4 16X20 trays so can handle developer, stop-bath + 2 fixer solutions.

David Ruby · Jul 12, 2004

Yes. That porters tray looks exactly like what I'm thinking of, except for the pricetag

Now if I can figure out a way to build one of those, or start saving my pennies.

lee · Jul 12, 2004

Those tray ladders look like a chemical disaster to me. I stagger around and bump into stuff all the time and I could just see it all coming down on me and everything else.

lee\c

Tobik · Jul 15, 2004

Here you can find my combo with vertical slots and stacked tray:

http://www.paladix.cz/rs/clanek.php?aid=10367&sid=1&hledej=

http://www.paladix.cz/rs/clanek.php?aid=10840&sid=1&hledej=

Text is in czech, but simply look only at pictures. Temperature is my primary problem - a little bit bigger than available space.

ann · Jul 15, 2004

We use them in our gang darkroom, 3 sets all in a row, and they work fine. It is tricky at first and if you are use to working in a traditional manner it takes a bit to adjust.
THe only downsize in our situation is rust. THey tend to rust at the connective points. I do sand them down and re-spray with black rust paint, but they need work from time to time. However, they are used everyday all year long, which may not be case in a home type darkroom.

p.s. we are using the ones from Porter's

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 15, 2004

Here's the Leedal 16x20 tray ladder at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=30570&is=REG

I've been thinking of getting one of these.

JHannon · Jul 15, 2004

David, this may be some help (if you go the DIY method):

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...ca8d19.0203300702.72fa3141@posting.google.com

Regards,
John

Foto Ludens · Jul 15, 2004

I bought some plastic shelves at walmart for about 3 bucks each... They are made of a PVC like material, and while they seem a bit flimsy, they hold my 11x14's without problems. I haven't stacked them, although they are stackable, I simply use them on my work table, one tray on the shelve, one bellow it.

The shelves are like those "space savers" you stack inside closets... I'm not sure how else to describe them, but they are fairly cheap....

David Ruby · Jul 19, 2004

Could they be staggered a little bit like steps?

Foto Ludens · Jul 19, 2004

David Ruby said:
Could they be staggered a little bit like steps?

no, not the ones I bought on walmart, they just stack up in a tower formation. You could probably rig a step like system by making rear legs twice as long for the top shelf, but it would take up some space.

Stacked Tray Rack

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