View Full Version : Vanbar and raw chemistry - No Longer
Ross Chambers
02-28-2010, 01:51 AM
I don't know about selenium toner, I have a little KRST on the shelf.
Vanbar used to make their own brand.
More inconveniently for me is that they have killed their raw chemistry, because Mario left and no-one else wants to pack and/or mix chemicals.
It's not so bad for those expensive little bottles of stuff you use in small quantities, you can get them from the US without expensive postage, but a PITA for such bulk requirements as Sodium Thiosulphate.
Any tips re Oz sources welcome (I do have a potential Sydney source for hypo.)
Regards - Ross
Athiril
02-28-2010, 12:15 PM
I still get raw chemical components from Vanbar.
I also get minilab chemicals.
On tuesday I'm getting a whole massive amount of Flexicolor and Ektacolor Kodak Chemicals too for shipping cost since it was going to be tossed and offered to me.
AFAIK I tried to get thiosulphate from Vanbar and they dont sell it any longer but have it listed still, I'll inqurie again, they have useful stuff like potassium hydroxide for making potassium salts, carbonate, benzotriazole, hydroquinone, thiocyanate.
They also sell Kodak E6 minilab 20L kits of Fixer, for like $15, if you want fixer look or that, or get universal fixer.
Hypo is just metabisulphite or sulphite in water (usually the latter, sometimes both).
You can get Sodium and Potassium Metabisulphite really cheap at Vanbar, and many super markets stock sodium metabisulphite (sold as steriliser) in the home brew section, sodium sulphite I found at a pool shop that sells pool chemicals. If I can find that in a pool shop in Byron along with other useful chems, I'm sure you can down there in the city :)
If you cant get thiosulphate, and want it for something other than a fixer (so cheap thiosulphate fixer is no go) then you can heat sodium sulphite + sulphur in water to make it. It's probably as cheap as buying it, you can get Sulphur on ebay for about $20/kg, and $15/1.5kg for sulphite from a pool shop.
It should be rather a simple process actually, I'm pretty sure its just 1 mol + 1 mol = 1 mol of sodium thiosulphate.
32.065g of sulfur + 126.043g of sodium sulphite dissolved in water and heated should equal 158.108g of sodium thiosulphate, unless I'm missing something.
Sulfur wont dissolve, but should react in the heated presence of sulphite dissolved to form thiosulphate afaik.
I've also heard that this is true. They are selling what they have in stock but won't be ordering anything new. So if you're lucky they might still have certain chemicals.
largeformat pat
02-28-2010, 07:04 PM
I buy 25kg bags of Sodium Thiosuphate from a chemical supplier, They do have in stock, however. A week later and I then pick up. I also buy from photo form in the states as well as Bostick and Sullivan. Non hazardous they will post here no problems. I currently sourcing silver nitrate.
Pat
largeformat pat
03-12-2010, 01:10 AM
I just got some Sodium Metaborate from the states. No problems
Ross Chambers
03-12-2010, 02:20 AM
Yes I've obtained some kits from Photographers' Formulary to try particular processes (pyrocat, New Cyanotype etc.).
I used--when Vanbar still supplied--to then source the chemicals from them at a cheaper price.
The large amounts of sodium thiosulphate are another matter, I'm sure the freight would be outrageous for even 5 kg.
At present I'm trying to balance two hard to find ingredients for salt printing: Strathmore Series 500 paper (the best that I have found for this process) and the aforesaid sodium thiosulphate. I'm not sure whether I'll end up a pile of one or the other but not the complete kit required.
For Sydney folk there's a company in Cromer that claims on its website to have sodium thiosulphate.
Regards - Ross
Craig Griffiths
03-12-2010, 02:51 AM
"I currently sourcing silver nitrate... "
Pat, I have a source in Townsville of all places that is happy to ship Silver Nitrate. Let me know if you need the details.
largeformat pat
03-12-2010, 03:16 PM
Craig please PM me the details. Ross. Sodium Thio can be accessed. I have a supplier who sells in 25 kg bags. enough for 33 litres about $200 PM I will get you details.
Pat
largeformat pat
03-12-2010, 08:50 PM
I stuffed up, 25 kg is enough for 100 litres. Had 750 grams in my head for some reason.
Pat
sharperstill
03-13-2010, 06:24 AM
I just bought out Vanbar's last stock of citric acid at $11 per kilo after being quoted $26/500gm from another supplier. It's a shame they're not going to be retaining some powdered chem.
Jon
Stephen Frizza
03-13-2010, 07:38 AM
Why not but the chemicals from the places like Bacto? in australia? http://www.bacto.com.au/main.htm
Without the repackaging and branding I always found it cheaper than vanbar anyway.
Consolidated chemicals can supply in 25kg quantities. However it's a bit much for most of the chemicals, if anyone is interested in group purchasing some common chemicals then I'd be happy to arrange an order and split the quantities.
http://www.consolidatedchem.com/index.html
jford
03-14-2010, 02:43 PM
You can get silver nitrate from Trevor Foon in Wonthaggi. Look up Foon Photographics there.
Ross Chambers
03-15-2010, 07:41 PM
Why not but the chemicals from the places like Bacto? in australia? http://www.bacto.com.au/main.htm
Without the repackaging and branding I always found it cheaper than vanbar anyway.
Thanks for the tip Stephen. Their online catalogue looks encouraging. I see that they are in the wilds of the south west (I don't have a car)--should be an interesting trip. Freight to the Blue Mountains is often exorbitant.
Regards - Ross
largeformat pat
03-15-2010, 11:02 PM
Ross,
Catch a train
Ross Chambers
03-30-2010, 03:08 AM
Why not but the chemicals from the places like Bacto? in australia? http://www.bacto.com.au/main.htm
Without the repackaging and branding I always found it cheaper than vanbar anyway.
So I ordered from Bacto, after taking a very deep breath at the price:
2kg Sodium Thiosulphate about $144 plus freight.
Vanbar's price for the same was about $32.
Any further ideas folks? Not forgetting that this chemical is used in fairly large proportions, hence freight is a factor?
Regards - Ross
largeformat pat
03-30-2010, 03:11 AM
Ross,
Check the grade of chemicals quoted, It may lab grade or better. I'm trying to think of the people in Newcastle. They quoted me $180.00 for 25 Kg's.
Pat
Stephen Frizza
03-30-2010, 03:27 AM
So I ordered from Bacto, after taking a very deep breath at the price:
2kg Sodium Thiosulphate about $144 plus freight.
Vanbar's price for the same was about $32.
Any further ideas folks? Not forgetting that this chemical is used in fairly large proportions, hence freight is a factor?
Regards - Ross
eeekkk that sounds not right ross want me to send you some?
Poisson Du Jour
03-30-2010, 04:06 AM
What's that stuff used for?
Bomb making??
Photo Engineer
03-30-2010, 08:52 AM
Hypo is just metabisulphite or sulphite in water (usually the latter, sometimes both).
If you cant get thiosulphate, and want it for something other than a fixer (so cheap thiosulphate fixer is no go) then you can heat sodium sulphite + sulphur in water to make it.
Wrong!
Sorry. Don't try to fix film or paper with the former!
The latter synthesis is correct, but rather messy. You can get colloidal sulfur.
PE