Where can I buy a Darkroom sink in Europe?

Carlos Chavarria

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Hello

I'm moving to Spain in a couple months and I was wondering if any of you knows where I could buy a darkroom sink like the ones Delta makes...

https://www.deltaphotosupplies.com/store/p77/Commercial_Sink_-_6_foot.html


I already asked how much it would be to ship it directly from B&H and the cost is almost the same as the price of sink.

Many thanks in advance

Best
Carlos
 

markbau

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If the above options are too expensive you might consider building your own. I did it, many years ago, using the instructions in a long out of print book "Building your own darkroom" Basically you make a frame and then the sink is made from fibreglass that boatbuilders use. It's pretty straight forward and I used that sink for years. PM me and I can send you copies of the plans/instructions if this interests you.
 

AgX

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Alternatively have it custom made more locally. There are firms specialized in PVC containments for the industry. Also any sheet metal workshop can bend and weld a stainless sink.
 

MattKing

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Check used restaurant equipment suppliers in Spain.
 

grain elevator

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If you can't locate the more reasonable trades already suggested, you could also talk to boat and Surfboard and Aquarium/Terrarium builders, they all know how to build waterproof structures. I'd be most tempted to learn to build one though, if I had the space and need.
 

Hilo

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From the Netherlands. 15 years ago I had one made from pvc that holds three 20X24in trays. The orientation of the trays inside the sink is landscape. This replaced the wooden one I had made myself many years before. This was a company that had a history of making darkroom sinks. I spent about the same as B&H charges for the one size smaller one. This company no longer exists.

Try to find a photographer in Spain who can help you locate some companies that could do this. It is not difficult but it needs to be done right. Alternatively, in France there's Deville that makes trays and sinks with a high quility and dito pricing: http://www.plastique-deville.com/photographes.html and they call this sink an "Evier". My advise is to go slow with this. Darkroom trays are not all the same size.

Then there's the second hand market. Most European countries have sites like Craigslist. Things tend to be lower priced in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and higher in Italy and Spain. These sinks do show up sometimes. Transport-wise, obviously you will be better off to buy in Spain. Find their equivalent 2nd hand site, the correct translations of what you're looking for and leave search alerts.
 
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hiroh

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Have you found a sink that works for you? I’ve contacted all the companies mentioned here and have received one quote so far.

I’ve also reached out to more than 10 companies in Portugal that make or sell equipment for hotels and restaurants. I asked for a large stainless steel sink and provided a photo of a darkroom sink as an example, but none of them have it or can make it. Restaurant sinks seem different from darkroom sinks, which are supposed to be one large basin. Restaurant sinks usually has dishwashers that are too small for trays. They look similar, but they’re not quite the same.

Anyway, it’s been a month, and I still haven’t found a solution. If none of these options work out, I might have to go with the plastic one from Deitenbach, linked above. It’s pricey and plastic, and not what I wanted, but it’s my only option so far. I don’t have the space, tools, skill, or will to build my own. Ideally, I want a 4m stainless steel sink that will fit wall-to-wall in my new space.
 

Arthurwg

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Yes, I built mine as well, using waterproof plywood and epoxy resin. I don't think you actually need instructions, but it's a good idea to have the sink bottom angled toward the drain. Best of all, you can fit it to your exact space requirements.
 

eli griggs

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AgX said:
Alternatively have it custom made more locally. There are firms specialized in PVC containments for the industry. Also any sheet metal workshop can bend and weld a stainless sink.
Click to expand...

You might try looking in Turkey, which had/has a good reputation among some Nordhaven Yacht owners, for making and installing beautiful and affordable stainless steel parts, add one, etc.

It's also possible that you could pick a Turkman made sink up and drive it up to Spain, in a rental or by trailer.

If possible, I would prefer a long sink about the same six foot Delta length, or longer and five inches deep, however because I like a deep sink, I would have a stainless steel deep basin, of about 20"x20"x18" deep placed on the far right with a grate/grill fitted to keep the main sink flush all across the main surface.

Whatever you do, please keep us updated.

Cheers
 

koraks

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eli griggs said:
It's also possible that you could pick a Turkman made sink up and drive it up to Spain, in a rental or by trailer.
Click to expand...

You do realize that this is a 3000+ mile drive (depending on where in Turkey it will be manufactured)? It makes little sense in my mind to have a 6ft sink built in Turkey and then have it driven over to Portugal.
Also, Turkmen don't live in Turkey for the most part. You're confusing ethnicity and nationality. Different things, and kind of a touchy subject, so please be careful in how you formulate.


hiroh said:
I’ve also reached out to more than 10 companies in Portugal that make or sell equipment for hotels and restaurants.
Click to expand...

Forget about niche players. Try to find a generic metal workshop; your best bet is a fairly small business (let's say 5-30 employees) that builds pretty much *whatever* without focusing on any specific application/market. You'll have to ask around a bit to find a good place; Google may not turn up all that's relevant. Expect to pay handsomely for your custom-made stainless sink.

Alternatively, do what @Arthurwg and others also did, and build one yourself from plywood (OSB, plywood underlay), then seal it with epoxy. Personally, that's the approach I'd opt for since it's flexible and affordable, and there's considerably less of a headache trying to manoeuvre the thing in place since you can assemble it right where it'll live.
 

Arthurwg

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If you do build your own with epoxy, remember to coat all surfaces and edges before you put it all together. I also used epoxied quarter-round strips to seal all the seams against the sides. Epoxied the whole thing again after it was installed. It's been watertight for the last 16 years.
 

miha

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Mine is made of stainless steel, originally ordered by a butcher who later refused it, so I got it cheaply. Therefore my advice would be to look for a SS fabrication workshop near you.
 

hiroh

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I couldn’t find any stainless steel darkroom sinks in Europe, only plastic ones in Germany and France, so I decided to have a custom one made. I found a company that does stainless steel work, and they can create anything, but they require technical drawings. Before I start designing it, is there anything specific I should pay attention to?

I plan to base my drawings on photos of other stainless steel darkroom sinks I find online, mostly through Google Images, and any comprehensive resources I can find (if I'm lucky). I want it to be fairly large (around 4m/13ft) because I have enough space, and I’d like to fit five 16x20 trays plus a print washer on the side. I’m also considering raising the back so I can stick my prints for inspection, on the stainless steel (do you think that’s a good idea?). If not, I could always use a sheet of plexiglass or large tiles on the wall instead. Stainless steel sounds good because I can also use little magnets to stick dry prints next to the wet ones when reviewing them.

How many faucets would you recommend? Do I need anything besides faucets? Should the bottom be flat or sloped for drainage? Any little details I should consider or might overlook would be really helpful and much appreciated!
 

koraks

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Whatever you design, make sure you can actually move it into the place it'll need to be installed in. Take into account any corners, turns etc you'll have to navigate on the way in. It sucks to order something only to realize you need to break out a wall to install it once it arrives at your doorstep.
 

MattKing

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WRT print viewing, the bottom of a flat bottom tray works great for print inspection. So a metal tray would serve both purposes.
A couple of faucets, and hoses that allow you to move the water flow to where you want it to be.
A sloped bottom, and a multi-section removable rack inside that is flat and allows water to flow under it. Plastic shelving material is good.
A comfortable to lean on front lip is important, and a height that matches your height is too.
 

mshchem

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Why don't you try calling B&H in NYC. They sell Arkay stainless steel sinks made to order for photographic use. I bet B&H could find a solution. You should find someone who knows what they are doing.
I have a secondhand Arkay sink, 10 feet long, has a nice stand.

Plastic or fiberglass makes for great sinks too.
 

mshchem

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I just looked at the German sinks, those look amazing.

I have 2 big stainless sinks and 1 fiberglass. The fiberglass one is 7 feet long and has a built-in dump trough, so when you're finishing up you just lift your tray and dump the solution in the trough. This is a Kreonite sink, probably 45-50 years old, came from a factory graphic arts lab.
The fiberglass sink is (essentially plastic) great.
One other thing, before you order a 4 meter long sink, remember it's got to fit through doors and hallways.

I would get in touch with Deitenbach and see what they think.
 

eli griggs

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Don't put up finished, wet prints on any surface at the sink, where unseen splashed chemicals can ruin your prints, even if it'll take weeks, months or years to show the damage on the prints.

A magnetic stainless back wall or tall splash guard that you can place test strips and prints, data, charts, etc, on, with magnets, etc, sounds like a good idea.

I mentioned earlier in this thread that a large sink basin with a cover and drain should be incorporated.

You can use it for a water thermal bath and even take the additional steps of installing thermal insulation to the sides and bottom of the outside, underneath the lower sink, for better performance.

IMO,
Eli
 
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