Zone VI Print Washer question

All but two of the slot dividers on the Zone VI print washer I just bought are rectangular. The other two have raised 'tabs' at each end of the top, kind of like a file folder with a tab at each side. The tabs are about 4" high and 6" wide (20x24" washer). Their purpose is unclear to me. Any owners out there who can explain? njb

These are to be the two outside dividers. They are used to support the top of washer (large plexiglass with two finder holes) This keeps the prints from floating.

My 16x20 washer didn't have the dividers with tabs. Wonder why the difference.

To jqjbowen - Thanks for the reply. There's a mystery here. I didn't get a large piece of plexi with finder holes from the guy I bought the washer from. I don't think he was the original owner because what did come with it are two pieces of 7x27" plexi and when I asked him what they were for he drew a blank. If you own one of these are you the original owner.? Any idea on the 7x27" plexi pieces? Do you, or does someone else out there have a copy of the original instructions that came with the 20x24" washer they can fax or scan to pdf and email for me? Any guidance here would be much appreciated. It seems that this is the price one pays for buying used equipment that's passed from hand to hand. njb

If you have a Zone VI film washer for 4x5 the 2 7x27 are used to raise it off of the bottom. You took out enough dividers in the center so the film washer fit in, Putting the 2 short sheets in raised the washer enough that you didn't have to lower the sheet film through a foot of water.

The orientation of the tabbed dividers is correct and you are just missing the cover piece, which was to hold down floating paper. I am sure the original owner lost it long ago. I have never needed it with my 11x14 washer to keep paper from floating and only use it as a cover to keep out the dust.

As for instructions, add hook up water and you are about there.

On my second hand 20x24 Zone VI print washer two of the dividers are about a half inch higher the full length, no tab. I have had this about three years. The former owner had it six months and then went digi. No piece came with it to hold the prints under water.

Currently I am using Kentmere 16x20 VC FB paper. The top edge of the paper usually floats to water level, but never above. I am guessing the specific gravity of papers differs from brand to brand. Since there are so many difference in washers I wonder if Calumet was experimenting, trying to find the configuartion that worked. Individuals wouldn't notice because they wouldn't be aware of the variations unless the subject came up on a form like this.

John Powers

Thanks everyone for the replies. I wanted a copy of the instructions only to see illustrated the various components that came with the washer. From your responses I gather that I'm only missing the piece to hold down the prints and that this item may not be crucial (and would be easily made if necessary). I also gather that ongoing design changes mean that original instructions changed along with successive washer versions. njb