Stearman Press Tank as paper washer tank

Bruno Pires said:

Hi all,

I'm Bruno, from Coimbra (Portugal) and have recently got a 4x5 Stearman Press tank for (finally) developing my 4x5 negatives out in daylight (no more toilet-tray-flushing, I mean).

Tonight I was printing a couple of pictures and did not want to use my 20x25 Paterson washing tank for so little paper, when I realized I could slip the 2 prints (one FB and one RC) inside the Stearman Tank. They fit kind of OK, but it would be nice to be able to flush a tube inside the tank so that the water can flow "from down under" to the top, to create more flow. Any ideas on a similar DIY solution to wash smallish prints, around 4x5s?

Even better, if the good people from Stearman are listening, would it be possible to sell a top with both holes but WITHOUT the inside-top guides for the developing system? That way it would be possible to close the tank without ruining the paper. I guess I could make the paper a perfect 5x5 (I'm printing 6x6 negatives), but the idea came across and thought about pushing it.

Thanks and keep film alive.

Bruno Pires
www.brunopires.com

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mshchem said:

If you can put a small tube to the bottom of the tank and use to supply water. If you simply fill the tank and let it rest for 5 minutes then dump and refill. RC paper shouldn't be left to soak. A quick 2 minute wash in running water.

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Bruno Pires said:

Thanks, it's what I ended up doing with the tube from my other tank.

About RC paper not being left to soak, I've been letting all my final prints (RC or FB) soak all night in the water tray during long darkroom sessions (up to 6 hours when I get "the fever") and never had a problem..

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MattKing said:

Careful with that.
RC paper that is left too long in water is very prone to de-laminating.

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