Your print washer?

jovo · Dec 28, 2009

One more vote for the Versalab. I have an 11x14 that I bought new, and a 16x20 that I bought from a guy in Brooklyn who was going into digiography I think. I've been happy with both for years now.

Oren Grad · Dec 29, 2009

Kodak tray siphon, attached to a 12x16 Paterson tray, for anything up to 11x14, helped with lots of manual shuffling - left on their own in the flow from the siphon, prints will clump together.

I have spare Paterson trays in larger sizes in reserve for the rare occasions when I print on paper larger than 11x14.

Andrew Moxom · Dec 29, 2009

I have a Nova 12 x 16 washer with 12 slots. 10 for washing and 2 for a hypo clearing bath.... Works slick, and can be used to put 20 8x10 prints in. I rarely print any larger than that size. The washer is quite deep, but I do not need anything to hold the prints either. I am able to pull them out easily without any of the gadgets although I know Nova makes print clips for use in the washers.

Dali · Dec 30, 2009

Thanks all for your replies.

I should soon be able to install a permanent lab in my house and take this opportunity to add some useful equipment, hence my original question.

Sim2 · Dec 30, 2009

vdoak said:
My print washer is a plastic container form the local hardware store with a Plexiglas false wall at the drain end to force drainage from the bottom. The separators are Plexiglas held in place with PVC trim. Water is injected in each section from a plastic pipe clamped to a water hose. The jets are 2mm holes drilled at appropriate intervals.http://www.doak.no/index_files/3-DarkRm.htm

Very inventive and looks like a handy bit of kit, I just know that with my diy skills if I built something like this 50l of water would come tumbling out all over the floor!

That is why I bit the bullet and use a Nova print washer - I really like the "rapid dump" facility - can empty the tank in a couple of minutes to totally refresh the water. Expensive but worth it. Coupled with the Hozelok connectors it is really easy to set up by the sink.

http://www.novadarkroom.com/product/150/Washmaster_Eco_Fine_Art_Print_Washers.html

Sim2.

Rick A · Dec 30, 2009

Maytag front loader commercial duty with water saver. Then I toss them into the dryer on permanent press cycle.

John Jarosz · Dec 30, 2009

East Street Gallery washer. Older than dirt, but it works fine

John

DramaKing · Dec 30, 2009

I just developed (pardon the pun) my own washer that is not the simplest system, but it is fairly efficient and can be had for only ~$10. I bought an adapter from a hardware store that I can screw a length of plastic hose with a connector onto. The opposite end of the hose lies in the bottom of a bucket that I allow to overflow. After 10 min. without wash aid, I hang to dry in the shower. There's no slots so the print(s) float around in the bucket.

ralnphot said:
Maytag front loader commercial duty with water saver. Then I toss them into the dryer on permanent press cycle.

I hope that you're not completely serious about that. I'd feel queasy about having my prints tumble dry.

Rick A · Dec 30, 2009

I use button magnets to hold them on the drum, set timer for 30 mins, and kick back to watch them dry.

Rick

slumry · Dec 30, 2009

I wash mine in a Gravity Works 11x14 print washer. It is expensive but light enough to mount on the wall and seems to be pretty efficient. I dry them in the dryer, no starch but some fabric softener . The dryer fortunately has a drying cabinet with a half dozen racks ready for prints.

cbphoto · Dec 30, 2009

Zone VI 16x20, but I need to cement some kind of valve and hose connector on the drain plug thing at the bottom. I cannot drain it from the cart on which it lives.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 30, 2009

ralnphot said:
I use button magnets to hold them on the drum, set timer for 30 mins, and kick back to watch them dry.

Rick

Sounds like a sledge hammer to kill a fly.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 30, 2009

slumry said:
I wash mine in a Gravity Works 11x14 print washer. It is expensive but light enough to mount on the wall and seems to be pretty efficient. I dry them in the dryer, no starch but some fabric softener . The dryer fortunately has a drying cabinet with a half dozen racks ready for prints.

Interesting name 'Gravity Works'. By the way, when it comes to print washing, gravity does not work! Contrary to popular believe, fixer does not sink to the bottom of the washer.

Rick A · Dec 30, 2009

RalphLambrecht said:
Sounds like a sledge hammer to kill a fly.

Just checking to see if anyone REALLY pays attention to the posts, or if they are here to toot their own horn.

Rick
BTW I wash in the bath tub like most folks do(I loves that shower action)---But really--I use a large tray to wash my prints. kodak recommends using a 'fast' water flow of water at a rate of 12 complete changes per hour, so I soak for 5 min. intervals, with 12 changes.

Edwardv · Dec 30, 2009

brian steinberger said:
A summitek 11x14 print washer

I second that. I wish I could have gotten the 20x24.

jovo · Dec 30, 2009

ralnphot said:
Maytag front loader commercial duty with water saver. Then I toss them into the dryer on permanent press cycle.

Good grief! Imagine a raging GE vs Maytag battle. Funny, though. (btw, some doofus will probably do what you've suggested, and offer the results as a fresh and unprecedented gallery worthy innovation. shhhhhh.)

Rick A · Dec 30, 2009

jovo said:
Good grief! Imagine a raging GE vs Maytag battle. Funny, though. (btw, some doofus will probably do what you've suggested, and offer the results as a fresh and unprecedented gallery worthy innovation. shhhhhh.)

Heres hoping!!
Rick

slumry · Dec 30, 2009

RalphLambrecht said:
Interesting name 'Gravity Works'. By the way, when it comes to print washing, gravity does not work! Contrary to popular believe, fixer does not sink to the bottom of the washer.

Fwiw, even though the word "gravity" is used, the primary use of gravity with these devices is as a suction to move water across the full height of each individual channel. For more information check out their website

Dead Link Removed

So far mine has tested out well and the prints show almost no residual fix.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 31, 2009

slumry said:
Fwiw, even though the word "gravity" is used, the primary use of gravity with these devices is as a suction to move water across the full height of each individual channel. For more information check out their website

Dead Link Removed

So far mine has tested out well and the prints show almost no residual fix.

slumry

I did. They are good washers!

Your print washer?

jovo

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