http://cgi.ebay.com/NUARC-EXPOSURE-MODULE-PLATE-BURNER-26-1K-WORKS_W0QQitemZ7608025943QQcategoryZ46726QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NUARC-NL22-8C-PLATEBURNER-HARDLY-USED_W0QQitemZ7607442438QQcategoryZ46726QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

I don't know about the second one, but the first one is certainly viable. the 26K1 model is very popular for alt-process folks.

I don't know about the second one, but the first one is certainly viable. the 26K1 model is very popular for alt-process folks.

Both are good units for alternative printing. Be sure to inquire about cost of shipping. These units have substantial weight and are easily damaged. If at all possible I would advise buying in your geographic area and do your own pick-up, or have the seller deliver it if possible.

Sandy

Are you planning on driving to Colorado to pick up the big one? Shipping would be $$$$... Kinda' cuts down on the deal if you have to pay to ship it, but a good deal if you don't mind the road trip.

- Randy

I bought an Elation UV lamp - a lot smaller, lighter and for the money, it's pretty good so far for the 2.25s and 4x5s I've been making. Plus it uses easy to find UV bulbs.

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=elation+UV+lamp&hl=en&lr=&sa=X&oi=froogle&ct=title

I dunno, but I think that humungous plate burner is not very value added. Mind you, I'm a newbie to alt processing.

Regards, Art.

If you want an affordable alternative to those plate burners, go to Home Depot. They sell pre-configured fluorescent fixtures with BLB blacklight bulbs. The fixture is made by GE. The bulbs are about 18" long. The fixture with bulb costs about $15 each. Get six of them, plus a surge-protector strip that can handle six outlets. You're in to that set up for about $150. Screw the six BLB fixtures into the bottom of a shelf, line them up as tight together as you can get them. Use the shelf below the one you attached the fixtures to as your exposure area. You'll have plenty of space between the fixtures for cooling, and enough illuminated area to make 11x14 prints or even larger, depending on configuration. Your only other expense is a good contact printing frame, which will set you back about $100 depending on size and manufacturer. I recommend the Bostick & Sullivan frames.

I've seen those pre-rigged blacklight sets at the Depot, but I just figured they wouldn't have enough output to be usable for alt-proc. How long are your exposures for Pt/Pd with this set-up?
I'm getting frustrated using the sun. Just when I think I have things worked out, it's too late in the day to get decent UV. Also, I've bought an 8x10 enlarger, so I won't have a lot of cash to spend on a UV source.

I've seen those pre-rigged blacklight sets at the Depot, but I just figured they wouldn't have enough output to be usable for alt-proc. How long are your exposures for Pt/Pd with this set-up?
I'm getting frustrated using the sun. Just when I think I have things worked out, it's too late in the day to get decent UV. Also, I've bought an 8x10 enlarger, so I won't have a lot of cash to spend on a UV source.

My exposure times for Pt/Pd prints are around 7 1/2 minutes. If I enclosed the tube set in some kind of box painted white on the inside, I could probably knock another minute or two off my printing times. You can see some examples in my personal gallery here done with this setup. It works quite well. I hooked the surge strip up to a spare darkroom timer and use that for controlling the exposures. The tubes are about 4" from the top of the print frame when I use this setup for exposing Pt/Pd.

FLyingcamera, What print size are you doing this with.

I'm using a bit different set up than Flyingcamera - I use the spiral UV bulbs, but the principal is the same - get a setup that has the bulbs and ballast all together.

I would advise against getting your exposure times too short. As was discussed on another thread, these UV bulbs don't have even light output when warming up. If exposure times are short, the uneven output would affect your exposure. I think Sandy King measured a 10% difference between the first and second minute, and then the output settles down. If you have exposure ranges in the 8-10 minute range, as I do, obviously the light output variation falls to practical insignificance.

juan

The feature that these units offer that clinch it for me is the vacuum easel.
Compared to messing around with contact frames, its the bomb.

if you are set on getting a plate burner I would suggest looking at www.tpxonline.com. This is a site that the is used by those in the printing industry to sell used equipment. I purchased a NuArc locally at a much cheaper price than what you see on eBay thru them.

...lyle