Darkroom Renovation Phase 1

Have yet to rinse any screens in it, we are adding a heavy rim around the opening before I take it home. But yeah that’s the plan anyhow. Should still make a good wet table. You can see the original table wrapped in 3/8 PVC (dark grey). That was a messy job to router out the curf for the bends on a 5x9 sheet.

I say I’m lucky because the plastic for this sink is rather expensive. We estimated the material cost around 3-400$, all sourced for free from industrial scrap and welded up during happy hour with plenty of beer.

Now to make a fixture for it.


A little reinforced bondo on those jet holes should seal them up for good. The local hardware should have some fiber impregnated resin that would make easy work or it!

Ive filled holes with that 5 minute 2-part epoxy “pens” they sell everywhere, I bet that would work. At only about 5$ a pop worth a try over silicon!
 
Back n the far corner is the largest BENCHER copy stand they make, I set up with Lowell Tota Lights with Polarizing Gels. It takes up a lot of room. I raised it up slightly using some concrete blocks I had outside. I've had a few photog friends try to buy it from me, it's not for sale. It's worth some dough. I bought it at an outside auction at the local Rockwell plant, they auctioned everything outside. Open only to Rockwell employees and family (I'm family). I paid $30 for that Bencher stand, nobody else was interested. And I bought a LOT of METRO shelving which have in my studio (we won't go over here yet, my friends tell me it's like a professional commercial photography museum) and also out in my workshop garage.

Not having plumbing yet kind of sucks, but I've always just lived with it. I develop film in the laundry room also downstairs. Believe me, things will be changing radically during phase II renovation (electrical plumbing and carpentry). Stay tuned.
 
Looking forward to phase two!

Initially I had my wet table plumbed to 3x 5gal buckets, each with a ball valve.

The revised sink is going to replace a Vanity combo in the second story bath.

That copy stand looks heavy duty! I have been considering making one for the large monoprints Ive been dabbling with.
 
 
New Overhead LEDs installed by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here I have installed two LED 4' overhead strip lights, and relocated the large round kitchen fixture overhead. I also changed the tungsten bulbs to LEDs.

I think the lighting is brighter, more pleasant, will be cheaper to power, and runs cooler.

Next I will rerun the safelights, and clean and move the copy stand(and junk) in the far corner out and around.

I want to run some dry plates in here this weekend. Need one more Patterson safelight, already have three.
 
That’s a slick looking wet area right there! I particularly like the exhaust hood with its openings right above the trays.

I need to get a new RO system, pulled mine out of the garage storage to find one of plastic filter buckets cracked. I’ve been using bottled water the past 6 months or so. I got a pallet load of “expired” water from works emergency preparation program. We have to rotate the cases every two years and it just gets thrown out. 1 liter bottles at that! I wouldn’t drink it but the film doesn’t mind!
 
Nokton, can I make a suggestion?

When you get your new sink made, buy some "pool straws" or pipe insulation and slit it and put it over the front lip. Makes leaning into the sink to inspect something far more comfortable.
 
Great Idea! Thanks for all your help :)

My workshop is out in the garage. When it warms up this spring I will build a PVC sink!
 
Nokton48 said:
Thanks all for comments. Keep 'em coming. I'm open to new ideas :)

Like I may switch to all incandescent overhead lighting. Florescent tubes have an "afterglow" that lasts many minutes...................
Click to expand...

I’ve noticed that LED tubes are available that are replacements for the older fluorescent tubes. They use the same fixture.

Glenn
 
Thanks Guys for all the ideas! Keep them coming!

I did replace all the overheads yesterday with LEDS. Total Cost about 60 Bucks. Will save more than that on energy over the upcoming years.

Replaced the tungsten round bulbs with LEDS, too. Those are cheap at IKEA 99 cents each.

Notice the well deserved beer in the foreground. LOL. :)

New Overhead LEDs installed by Nokton48, on Flickr
 
I bought the biggest upright freezer I could buy for holding film and paper. It's fully loaded.
Perhaps a second refrigerator, biggest I can find? It could go in the laundry room. Yes it could hold beer :)

By the way, wait 'til you see the basement STUDIO. I am renovating that too, in the not too distant future. My friends say it looks like a commercial photography MUSEUM. That's about right. LOL

It's Broncolor, FOBA, and Sinar/Plaubel fully equipped.

DSC05778 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Every studio needs a good camera stand. This one is a Plaubel. A camera stand is one of the centerpieces of any studio.
 
Another darkroom idea I’ve had but not implemented. Take a string of red LED Christmas lights and attach to where the walls join the ceiling. Hopefully this would work as both a safe light for black and white prints and an orientation aid. Would have to check light levels and that there are no wavelengths that could fog papers.
Some of the lights are in a clear tube, which is what I was planning to use.

While on the topic of LEDs , have been seeing advertising for light strips that allow changing of the colour via an app. These can be cut into shorter pieces and connected together.
Wonder if you could build a multi grade light source for an enlarger using these?
I already have a dichroic head for my D6 Omega so not much use at present.

Glenn
 
Hi Glenn,

Yes! The Omegalite florescent head has been modified here for VC/LED printing: The saucer looking head is a good overall shape for LED adaption:

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?111226-Omega-5x7-E6-LED-Mod

I think I will do this, when I run out of graded paper. I have a freezer full on Ektalure salon paper, and other graded papers. When I do run out, I will prolly switch to LED/split grade printing. This guy has been very successful with that LED mod, on his old E3/E6 Omega 5x7 enlarger.

Total cost about 150 bucks. MAJOR construction project IMO. Looks like fun :)
 
Any issues with dust falling from the joists?

Wondering if you'd need a drop ceiling. Dust from the ceiling is a big issue in my basement, but I live in a pretty old house.
 
froyd said:
Any issues with dust falling from the joists?

Wondering if you'd need a drop ceiling. Dust from the ceiling is a big issue in my basement, but I live in a pretty old house.
Click to expand...



Good point! Mine is about twenty years old, yes it has some dust. I have thought about stapling up thick plastic, but drop ceiling is not that expensive and will look more finished. Another good thing to look into!

Thanks!
 
Next project is to reinstall five overhead Paterson safelights, and an old Kodak safelight with dark green inspection filter. Additional shelving installed, and formica worktop table now ready to be fully utilized size wise. Plenty of work area (for now). I'm reusing what I have around, but buying some new to me stuff, too. Like now I have sets of Paterson trays to 16x20, bought new from Freestyle and also used from Ebay.


Been subzero and too cold to work downstairs back there last week. But is warming up next week :)
 
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