Building an archival print washer

Comrade silver printers,

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Has any one of the learned members of this smashing forum built an archival print washer himself? Being totally disappointed by my Paterson print washer I have been thinking about moving on to a better model, if it weren't for the excorbitant prices.

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If someone has a rudimentary plan for this I would appreciate a reply.

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Thanks

Hi Mako...Somewhere in the archive of this website there is a web

address that leads you to the plans for constructing a negative/print

washer.

There is a site called Darkroomsource.com that has a number of

articles dealing with construction of darkroom equipment and I

believe there are plans for a washer somewhere there.

I believe that Calumet has cut the prices on archival print washers.

I don't want to burst your bubble but by the time you factor in the

cost of the plexi-glass, construction time, and aggrevation... it may

be easier to call them and say charge it. If you are good with your

hands have fun and good luck. Pat.

Thank you all.

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To Howard: Many years ago I bought a Paterson archival print washer

for 30x40 cm paper. However, the chaps in the UK did not take into

account that fiber based paper expands quite a bit when wet. This

meant that I have to trim each and every sheet of paper before I

insert it into the washer. Other manufacturers take account of that

but are also about thrice as expensive. So really the Paterson is for

38.5x29 cm paper.

Before building check out the washers available at Versalab.com.

Much cheaper than any others I've found. I have been considering

attempting to build a washer but I'm concerned both about the cost of

materials (plexiglass isn't cheap and I've not found a satisfactory

alternative) and being able to establish an effective water flow with

my own design.

Let me know how you fare.

Russell

Mako: I bought the Versalab washer about four years ago and have

found it to be a great washer. The thing is indestructable and will

do a bunch of prints at one time. I think at the time I bought mine

it was less than $200. I was considering builing one until I ran

across a writeup on the Versalab. As stated earlier, by the time you

buy plexiglas, cement, hoses, etc., you won't save much if any by

building it yourself. Especially if you have to rent or buy the

needed tools.

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Regards,

I agree with the above 3 posts. I have been using the Versalab Washer

(16x20) for over a year now and it is great. It's not as impressive

looking as some of the others but you can't beat the value. I have

modified mine by drilling holes for acrylic rods so that I can use it

for sheet film and smaller prints without having to go fishing every

time. I should note that I do own a Machine Shop and it would be

tough for me to put together all the materials and then add on just a

few bucks an hour for labor and come out ahead of their price. And

they are not joking about it being allmost indestructible.

I would also add that you should buy the smallest one you will need

as this is a heavy beast when in service, unless you do 20x24 prints

every day.

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Good Luck,

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Mac

James: Thanks for the address of the site

http://www.darkroomsource.com. It really is amazing what DIY freaks

can do for their darkroom.

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Russell, Doug, Dave, Mac: You have convinced me! I shall see if the

Versalab folks can ship it to Germany. Otherwise, I am impressed that

it has 14 compartments. Most have 10, others have 10 + 2 for HCA.

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By the way, I have seen that they sell the TRD-2 Heiland densitometer

for $895. If you are planning to buy one, I certainly recommend it,

but buy it from Germany as it costs about the same amount in DM -

Euro soon.

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Cheers,