Using a NuArc Rapid Printer

winger · Mar 20, 2021

OK, so anyone who saw my thread on "what did my husband buy this time" knows that I now have an old NuArc Rapid Printer. I could be getting ahead of myself since I don't even know if it works, but I have my first dumb questions.
1-Does it need to be in my darkroom or can it be used in a regular room with most lights off? I am currently thinking about cyanotypes, Van Dyke Browns, and possibly more.
2-What kind of oil is needed for the vacuum pump and how do I make sure that it will work without seizing it up? Any other things to watch out for with it? Can I use it without the vacuum?
At the moment, question 1 is kinda more important because I can't leave it in the mudroom forever and I need to know what kind space I need to clean out to make it fit.

Vaughn · Mar 20, 2021

As long as you can get the paper to the printer without fogging it, no problem -- it can be anywhere.

Oil -- I think it needs some to maintain the seal. Look on-line for a manual of a vacuum pump. It should have that info. Hopefully someone knowing more about these pumps will chime in!

You will find the vacuum frame to be wonderful if you get it working. The machine probably has a switch that does not allow it to be used with the top up...sort of like the one in fridges to turn on the light. It keeps the UV lamp from being turned on when it can damage eyes. If it has one, you can by-pass it and just lay a contact printing frame upside down on the machine's glass...but you'll love the vacuum if it works.

Nicholas Lindan · Mar 20, 2021

If you by-pass the safety switch don't spend much time looking inside the unit when its lit. Not as bad as looking at a welding arc, but not that far off. Arc light bouncing off the ceiling and walls won't do much.

On to the OP's Q's:

You can use the unit anywhere you want. You might need a 220V outlet. As for oil, try Mobil 1 10W-something-or-other from Walmart.

fgorga · Mar 20, 2021

Any process that you would need to use the NuArc for can be done in a dimroom... no daylight or fluorescent lights. Incandescent or LED lighting is OK... it doesn't even have to be particularly dim.

You can probably use the unit without the vacuum for small negatives, you would probably want to arrange some weights (a few heavy books should suffice) on top of the negative/paper sandwich if you don't use the vacuum. This is all about maintaining tight contact between the paper and negative during the exposure.

As for pump oil, Google "vacuum pump oil". This is pretty generic. Most simple mechanical vacuum pumps use a specially purified grade of mineral oil, but which supplier is used probably does not matter as long as it is specified for use in mechanical vacuum pumps.

Depending on where you are planning to use the NuArc consider getting a oil mist filter for the output of the vacuum pump if it is not already equipped with one. I would also take care to maintain this filter regularly.

All mechanical pumps that use oil, put out a little oil in the output air by design. This is why one need to replenish the oil periodically. Thus I would probably not use the pump without a mist filter in a home environment.

Lastly, I would, if possible, put it in the different space from optics optics that I wanted to keep pristine. This is less critical than the mist filter.

In my view, the only reason to use a NuArc is if you want to make large prints (say larger than 11x14 inches). Otherwise, a homemade exposure unit using blacklight LEDs and a contact printing frame is much more convenient and gives good results.

winger · Mar 20, 2021

fgorga said:
Any process that you would need to use the NuArc for can be done in a dimroom... no daylight or fluorescent lights. Incandescent or LED lighting is OK... it doesn't even have to be particularly dim.

You can probably use the unit without the vacuum for small negatives, you would probably want to arrange some weights (a few heavy books should suffice) on top of the negative/paper sandwich if you don't use the vacuum. This is all about maintaining tight contact between the paper and negative during the exposure.

As for pump oil, Google "vacuum pump oil". This is pretty generic. Most simple mechanical vacuum pumps use a specially purified grade of mineral oil, but which supplier is used probably does not matter as long as it is specified for use in mechanical vacuum pumps.

Depending on where you are planning to use the NuArc consider getting a oil mist filter for the output of the vacuum pump if it is not already equipped with one. I would also take care to maintain this filter regularly.

All mechanical pumps that use oil, put out a little oil in the output air by design. This is why one need to replenish the oil periodically. Thus I would probably not use the pump without a mist filter in a home environment.

Lastly, I would, if possible, put it in the different space from optics optics that I wanted to keep pristine. This is less critical than the mist filter.

In my view, the only reason to use a NuArc is if you want to make large prints (say larger than 11x14 inches). Otherwise, a homemade exposure unit using blacklight LEDs and a contact printing frame is much more convenient and gives good results.

Nicholas Lindan said:
If you by-pass the safety switch don't spend much time looking inside the unit when its lit. Not as bad as looking at a welding arc, but not that far off. Arc light bouncing off the ceiling and walls won't do much.

On to the OP's Q's:

You can use the unit anywhere you want. You might need a 220V outlet. As for oil, try Mobil 1 10W-something-or-other from Walmart.

Vaughn said:
As long as you can get the paper to the printer without fogging it, no problem -- it can be anywhere.

Oil -- I think it needs some to maintain the seal. Look on-line for a manual of a vacuum pump. It should have that info. Hopefully someone knowing more about these pumps will chime in!

You will find the vacuum frame to be wonderful if you get it working. The machine probably has a switch that does not allow it to be used with the top up...sort of like the one in fridges to turn on the light. It keeps the UV lamp from being turned on when it can damage eyes. If it has one, you can by-pass it and just lay a contact printing frame upside down on the machine's glass...but you'll love the vacuum if it works.

Thank you all very much! I knew I could count on the Photrio crew. Frank - I likely won't start out making big prints, but I didn't think I'd ever do large format either (now have up to 5x7 and might add 8x10). I got the NuArc, a process lens, 4 1/2 enlargers, and some 35mm tanks and reels for $20 and time spent driving to pick it all up.

glbeas · Mar 20, 2021

Most NuArc platemakers Ive seen use a carbon vane oilless pump. At the most with those I would flush some high flash point solvent through the pump as its running to clean dust out of it only if the pump is not making a good vacuum. You can replace the vanes very easily if they are too worn, they are usually a Gast brand pump.

Using a NuArc Rapid Printer

winger

Vaughn

Nicholas Lindan

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fgorga

winger

glbeas

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