Containers for Vertical Print Processing (Poor Man's Slot Processor)

[cbphoto]

I have a Nova Trimate, and love it. I'd like to be able to have both color and b/w chems mixed at any given time, and I can't afford a second Nova. I'm imagining in my head some kind of sealable, veritcal Tupperware thing that would hold an 11x14 print, and wouldn't have a big footprint. Does it exist? I haven't found anything.

[bdial]

How about this? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390109190364&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3063wt_1167

[cbphoto]

If they had one that was one gallon! That's the right idea, though.

[Photo Engineer]

There are 1 gallon tanks like that. There are some that are even smaller.

IDK where to get them today.

PE

[jeroldharter]

The problem is getting something narrow enough so that the solution volumes are manageable. Also, the sides need to be rigid to resist the stress of the solution pushing out the sides. Unfortunately, you need something like heavy acrylic which then gets expensive and requires some skill. In the end, you buy another Trimate!

For B&W, consider single tray processing. That is what I do and it works great. I sold my Jobo 16x20 Quad.

[cbphoto]

Tray processing (single or otherwise) won't work for me due to space limitations, lack of a sink, and unwillingness to pour chems in and out between sessions, or in the case of single tray, between each step. The Trimate spoiled me! I don't have to mix chems until they are exhausted, as the dowel rods on top of the slots keep the air out. I cannot for the life of me understand why the slot setup is not the standard, and why I can't walk into B&H and buy a vertical tray with lid for $20. It's just so obvious! Why are these not mass-produced?

[Tobster]

Tray processing (single or otherwise) won't work for me due to space limitations, lack of a sink, and unwillingness to pour chems in and out between sessions, or in the case of single tray, between each step. The Trimate spoiled me! I don't have to mix chems until they are exhausted, as the dowel rods on top of the slots keep the air out. I cannot for the life of me understand why the slot setup is not the standard, and why I can't walk into B&H and buy a vertical tray with lid for $20. It's just so obvious! Why are these not mass-produced?

I second that! I just got a Jobo drum with insert that can take 20x24" sheets, but these vertical trays would be perfect for smaller prints.

[dancqu]

Tray processing (single or otherwise) won't work for me due
to space limitations, lack of a sink, and unwillingness to
pour chems in and out between sessions, ....

The Trimate spoiled me! I don't have to mix chems until they
are exhausted, ........ I cannot for the life of me understand
why the slot setup is not the standard ........

MOST darkroom workers DO have space for 3 or 4 trays, DO
have a sink, and ARE willing to save or dump chemistry. Also
there is less reason to keep the same chemistry till exhausted.

I have space limitations but do have a sink so single tray one
-shot processing works well for me. The chemistry can change
from one print to the next. It is used very dilute.

I would need 7 trays or slots to duplicate what I am doing
with 1. I've fresh chemistry and water each print. I do use
a second tray for hold & soak. Dan

[cbphoto]

MOST darkroom workers DO have space for 3 or 4 trays, DO
have a sink, and ARE willing to save or dump chemistry. Also
there is less reason to keep the same chemistry till exhausted.

I have space limitations but do have a sink so single tray one
-shot processing works well for me. The chemistry can change
from one print to the next. It is used very dilute.

I would need 7 trays or slots to duplicate what I am doing
with 1. I've fresh chemistry and water each print. I do use
a second tray for hold & soak. Dan

New York City real estate makes it a bit difficult ;)

[John Koehrer]

What about Kodak Stainless tanks for 8X10? I don't remember them being more than 4-5" wide. The hangers themselves don't have a lot of value on the used market, usually in a a dealers "please take this crap of my hands" bin.

[cbphoto]

What about Kodak Stainless tanks for 8X10? I don't remember them being more than 4-5" wide. The hangers themselves don't have a lot of value on the used market, usually in a a dealers "please take this crap of my hands" bin.

I print 11x14, and would like the option of 16x20, ideally.

[DanielStone]

buy a fishtank, and some clear acrylic 3/8" from a glazier. go to the hardward store, buy some clear waterproof caulk, and make your own slot processor.

craigslist for the fish tank, and maybe another $70-80 for the acrylic and caulk/caulk gun.

easy peasy

-Dan

[cbphoto]

buy a fishtank, and some clear acrylic 3/8" from a glazier. go to the hardward store, buy some clear waterproof caulk, and make your own slot processor.

craigslist for the fish tank, and maybe another $70-80 for the acrylic and caulk/caulk gun.

easy peasy

-Dan

I thought about that, but I don't know anything about this stuff. What kind of caulk would make a watertight seal?

[DanielStone]

I'm not sure of the name, since you're in NY and I'm in LA, there might be a difference in kinds/brands available.

something like this: meant for aquariums, should be able to bond glass to acrylic

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1419409&CAWELAID=109354543

-Dan

[jeroldharter]

buy a fishtank, and some clear acrylic 3/8" from a glazier. go to the hardward store, buy some clear waterproof caulk, and make your own slot processor.

craigslist for the fish tank, and maybe another $70-80 for the acrylic and caulk/caulk gun.

easy peasy

-Dan

I'm not so sure about how easy that would be. Slot processors must have drains to empty the slots, ideally a drain for each slot. Trying to lift an aquarium large enough for 16x20 prints that is full of water is inadvisable.

[DanielStone]

I'm not so sure about how easy that would be. Slot processors must have drains to empty the slots, ideally a drain for each slot. Trying to lift an aquarium large enough for 16x20 prints that is full of water is inadvisable.

Hey Jerold,
the OP has stated that he doesn't have access to a sink in his "darkroom", so he could technically have the "slot processor" on a rolling cart, if he wanted.

but yes, if he wants to print 16x20, this could be a problem, well probably more than one.

1. he has stated that due to living in NY, he has cramped quarters. this is understandable, unless you're a Trump family member. but he has stated he wants to print 16x20?

I print 11x14, and would like the option of 16x20, ideally.
if he doesn't have that much space for a darkroom, or at least easy access to a sink, where is he going to store 16x20 prints?
2. I've never been to NYC, but I've heard from friends that the dumpsters there are a literal goldmine for those willing to search. If you find the right ones that is :). So furnishing a fishtank shouldn't be THAT hard, especially now with craigslist, ebay and Kijiji(another craigslist) at his disposal.
3. IDEALLY, having a drain for each slot is nice, but definitely NOT necessary. Buy a plug-into-the-wall 115v waterproof pump, and just wash it out between chemical changes. Shouldn't be any problems with that.
Just go to Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware, and ask to see their plug-in water pumps.

I'm not trying to argue, just asking the OP to maybe use his noggin a bit more than I've personally seen, or read here so far.

I'm not a book-smart guy, but investing $100 to build your own slot processor is a nice weekend project. IF he really wants to print THAT BADLY in his little NYC apartment.

just my humble $.02

-Dan

[jeroldharter]

Good points.

[Rolleiflexible]

New York City real estate makes it a bit difficult ;)

Some of us manage tray development
in closets in New York City. We sell
our slot processors to the, um, less
imaginative. ;-) :::::ducking:::::

[cbphoto]

Some of us manage tray development
in closets in New York City. We sell
our slot processors to the, um, less
imaginative. ;-) :::::ducking:::::

pffft

wanna sell me another?

[richard ide]

If you have a bathtub; make a deck for your 16 x 20 trays. For washing drop prints into the bathtub. Worked very well for me for about 10 years.