vertical trays/print washer

Jarvman · Jun 1, 2008

I'm going to be wanting to make some 16x20" prints soon enough but my darkroom sink isn't big enough. Could probably fit two trays in there but not three. Are vertical developing trays an option? I want to get a print washer before long and know these have additional slots for hypo. Could these spare slots be used for fix? Dev and stop would go in trays in the sink, then the fix would be inside a slot in the washer was the idea. Got any advice for printing big prints in small spaces? Cheers

waileong · Jun 2, 2008

Use the single tray method.

bdial · Jun 2, 2008

The slots in most archival washers are not water tight with each other, so there is no way you could put fix in one and water in the others.
Nova makes slot processers in sizes up to 16x20, these are essentially vertical trays and take very little space for the print size capacity they offer. They work well but are expensive. See www.novadarkroom.com
You can also use tube systems, such as Jobo for large prints. You don't need a motor base necessisarily, but it helps.
Another option are window box liners, with this method, you don't immerse the entire print at one time but rather dip it in and pull it back and forth, running the lengh through the solution each stroke.

Paul Howell · Jun 2, 2008

I use a 16X20 color paper durm.

Jim Jones · Jun 2, 2008

I've used a Tray-Rak by Richard Mfg. Co. of Fernandina Beasch FL to stack three 16x20 trays vertically in little more than the space required by a single tray. These may be available through ebay or other sources of older equipment. Waileong's suggestion of the single tray does work, too, but is less convenient.

Jarvman · Jun 2, 2008

Jim Jones said:
I've used a Tray-Rak by Richard Mfg. Co. of Fernandina Beasch FL to stack three 16x20 trays vertically in little more than the space required by a single tray. These may be available through ebay or other sources of older equipment. Waileong's suggestion of the single tray does work, too, but is less convenient.

A tray rack sounds a good idea. My sink is plastic and isn't very well supported underneath though so I'd be worried about the weight a bit, hmm

Paul Howell · Jun 2, 2008

Jarvman said:
A tray rack sounds a good idea. My sink is plastic and isn't very well supported underneath though so I'd be worried about the weight a bit, hmm

Collectable Cameras has a used set of Patterson 16X20 trays with a rack for $65.00they sell online.

Martin Aislabie · Jun 7, 2008

I use a NOVA verticle slot processor.
They use suprising little chemical - so the weight isn't hugh.
If you are worried about the weight of the processor in your sink - take it out of the sink and put in an overlarge developing tray on a bench.
Thats what I do - I don't have a sink in my darkroom
If you don't like the cost of a new one try http://www.secondhanddarkroom.co.uk/
RC paper works well in them, FB are more tricky but still do-able
Good luck
Martin

dancqu · Jun 15, 2008

waileong said:
Use the single tray method.

The single tray method is a good way to make
large prints with little space. All the print processing
is done in one tray while a second serves for holding
and soaking. Add a little more time for the processing.
Use one-shot very dilute developer and fixer. No stop
needed. I use non-woven polyester separator sheets
in the hold/soak tray. That and the processing tray
work together for alternate two tray washing. So,
two trays. You're in business. Dan

pentaxuser · Jun 15, 2008

Have a look at www.heylloyd.com. It's the site of someone called Lloyd Ehrlick. He has a number of interesting articles and one of them is specifically devoted to one tray processing.

pentaxuser

vertical trays/print washer

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