Darkroom

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Starting a new house, and will be building a dedicated darkroom - have read that you can use plastic tub sinks in place of darkroom sink(ABS vs Stainless steal vs home built from wood). These seem small - how big a sink is needed and why, if processing is done at room temp is a large (4 or 5 foot) needed (other than the clean up)?

Thanks, Mike

-- Mike Castles (photomc@flash.net), October 06, 2001

Answers

1) It depends on what size prints you want to make!

2) I have made 16x20 prints in 16x20 trays on a piece of plywood on top of a washing machine.

3) Kodak and others produce good books on making home darkrooms, and these are likely available in most public libraries.

4) Anything that holds water and is big enough and is compatible with the chemicals will do. There is nothing magic about stainless steel except the price. For washing prints a regular tray preferrably the next size up is all you need. I washed my 16x20 prints in the bathtub and toned them in the 16x20 trays.

5) Check e-bay for enlargers and darkroom supplies-lots of people are getting out of Silver and into Digital so there are some good deals out there.

Good luck.

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richardjx@hotmail.com), October 06, 2001.


Me Again:

A website teat advertises the Mees book is:www.the-camera- house.co.uk/books/6b.stm.

Go to Google and type in "photography chemistry" and see what comes up.

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richardjx@hotmail.com), October 06, 2001.


You can get a Delta-1 ABS plastic sink for about $225-$300 in lengths from 4-8 feet. Stands cost extra, but you build one yourself or fit the sink into a countertop. You can order from B&H Photo and other on- line retailers. Shipping costs for the plastic sinks are not that bad. I believe that you can order direct from Delta-1 but they don't seem to have a web site. They are located in Dallas TX.

I have a Delta-1 6 foot ABS sink that I am very happy with. This is the largest sink I could fit into a converted bathroom, and I have my washer outside of the sink (in a bath tub). But if I were building a darkroom from scratch, I would get the largest sink possible, maybe even two 5-6 foot sinks. But the amount of sink space really depends on your tray sizes, and the number of trays you want for processes such as 2 bath fixer, etc.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), October 06, 2001.


Your trays could go on a countertop and the sink could be used for washing only. But, it works out much cleaner and everything is easier if the trays are able to fit in the sink. I have an ABS sink that will hold four 11x14 trays and I wish that it were larger! When I bought the sink and built the darkroom, I could not imagine making 20x24 prints. Now, with the smaller sink, it is a hassle.

-- Ed Farmer (photography2k@hotmail.com), October 06, 2001.

I have a Delta I plastic sink 2' x 4' direct from Delta price with drain, pipes, faucet, hot & cold water filters, and inline dial thermometer was less than $400 whith shipping. I believe the sink alone was about $160.00. I didn't get the stand. I made one from 2x4 lumber. Print washer is on the countertop. A large sink really isn't needed but it makes cleanup and spill control more convienent. If I was to rebuild my darkroom I would go for the 6' sink.

-- Robert Orofino (minotaur1949@iopener.net), October 06, 2001.


Thanks to everyone for the input, great info - I was playing with the idea of one of the ABS sinks or building one myself. Have been watching ebay (that's were the enlarger came from), have noticed that several books show more than one water supply - one mixed one not, is that important or just nice to have?

Thanks again.

-- Mike Castles (photomc@flash.net), October 07, 2001.


I have the 6' temperature control sink. It's perfect for anything up to 11x14; after that things get tight. It works perfectly for me.

-- David Parmet (david@parmet.net), October 07, 2001.

here's my future darkroom.. the house is being built at the moment! The wet side (not marked but opposite the 'dry bench') is to be a plastic sink. Next to it is my fridge :) and my cupbaord is going to have a film drying section. Compared to my current bath-darkroom setup that I have to unpack/pack for every session, this is going to be luxury!



-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), October 07, 2001.


I think I may have the set up your are looking for. I found a home improvement warehouse-type store that was going out of business. I bought a regular plastic (acrylic?) bathtub for $25.00.

I left the styrofoam that is glued to it in place. It adds rigidity and helps to insulate from temperature fluctuations. I took a jig saw and cut away one side about 1/3 of the way down so I could reach in easily. The back side has the wide shelf (where you would sit on the edge of a tub) and it is handy for bottles of chemicals.

Anyway, I built a wooden frame to raise the tub...now sink...to the correct height. I got a temp control faucet for $40.00 and now I;m in business.

Of course I had to run the usual plumbing supplies, but you have to do that with any sink. My sink fits four trays easily...you can always get a bigger tub or use two.

It has served me well for 14 years and cost a total of $34 including lumber.

-- KL Vance (kmdrum@home.com), October 07, 2001.


You are probably getting more suggestions that you need, but I have just about completed my darkroom, and here is my two cents.

I was fortunate to find an eight foot stainless steel sink with a stand for $200 at a garage sale near my house, just as I was getting ready to build a plywood sink. Whether it is stainless steel, plywood or ABS, this has turned out to be one of the most convenient features in my darkroom. I also have two faucets at the sink, which I highly recommend and which has been an even greater convenience than I imagined. I used standard brass laundry faucets, which allows me to use regular hose attachments. I have even used a spliter on one of the faucets with two shut off valves, which allows me to have three sources of running water. One added convenience I may eventually add is a separate drain pipe for dumping chemicals.

The sink is 30 inches wide, which allows maximum flexibility for arranging trays. On the far right of the sink (away from the faucets), I have an old countertop cut out from a double sink with a laminate top that acts as a shelve, and which I also use to squeegy my prints. The shelve also allows me to put two 16x20 trays on it, so that I can accomodate six 16x20 trays with the set up (two for developers, one stop bath, two fixes, and then a wash). Setups for smaller prints are simple. I have also built rails with angle irons connected by a flat metal bar to support a wash tray, which allows me to have several washes going on at the same time. Don't overlook the many possibilities to build make-shift shelves that span the back and front of the sink (which can even provide work space for dry activities). Additionally, storage under the sink (and even on the floor under the bottom shelf) for trays and other items is great. Washing up after you finish is also a snap, especially if you use a spray attachment.

You can use a countertop and a much smaller sink, but the convenience of this type of set up is great if you have the space and don't mind spending the money. I have filters for both hot and cold water, but no temperature control. I can add this later if I want, but it's an expense I didn't want to incur.

In case you are looking for one, the best source book I found on darkrooms in general was "The New Darkroom Handbook" by DeMaio, Worth and Curtin. Gives plans for building a sink, ideas on wiring, ventilation, plumbing, etc. I found the Kodak book to be essentially worthless.

My suggestion: If space and money is not an issue, go for the longest darkroom sink you can accomodate that is at least 24 to 26 inches wide, and install two faucets. I think you need at least four or five feet to really maximize the convenience of the setup, as you can use countertop space when you work with larger prints. And use temporary shelves over the sink to increase its utility.

Hope this helps, and good luck planning you new setup.

--Jim Rock

-- Jim Rock (jameswrock@aol.com), October 08, 2001.



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