Print drying rack, any ideas, anyone?

[ROL]

Dean,

All the above suggestions will get you there - it's just not rocket science. You can make screens up yourself, but take it from personal experience doing more than 1 or 2 and trying to get them flat will probably convince you otherwise. However, if you'd like an easy solution, I would offer you the setup I made before I designed my darkroom, below cost. It consists of 24 X 30 inch Calumet Zone VI Drying Screens and a wheeled, movable ClosetMaid enameled metal rack. The rack is made up of 2 separate drawer racks ordered from Home Depot and combined in such away to fit the 30 inch width of the screens. This "ladder" structure holds 11 screens total. The whole thing is light enough (a few lbs.) to be moved either by rolling or picking it up to any location you wish. My darkroom needs were satisfied before I ever used the setup. No part of it was ever used and the screens (3 boxes of 4 screens - 12 total) are still in their original boxes. The screens, though not cheap, are on a par with what regular pre-made fiberglass window screens (which the Zone VI actually are) of that size would cost. I will offer you the 3 boxes of screens at cost ($44 X 3 = $132) and throw the rack in for free (it was around $50) - you pay shipping.

PM or email ben@rangeoflightphotography.com , if interested - Ben

[Louis Mutch]

Just string a wire and get some cloths pins. I have been hanging my prints for a couple of years now and it works for me. Don't forget to weight the bottom with cloths pins to minimize curling.

[jeroldharter]

If I were to use screens again, I like the setup by ROL below.

However, they are a pain. You have alot of surface area to keep clean and dust free. I have had print surfaces embossed with the pattern of the screen. Putting wet 16 x 20 prints on the bottom screens is annoying. You can pull the screen out but some dust gets into the air. The screen rack takes up floor space.

I gave up on them and now use a vinyl covered clothelines with clamps and have no problems any more. I reclaimed about 12 square feet of floor space in the process.

[hortense]

If you're cramped for space try hinging them to the wall so they can hange by a chain. I used fiber screen in a frame.

[dphphoto]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I like the sweater rack, would never have thought of it myself.
I have a week off next week and no real vacation plans. I'll pursue this project, and if I come up with something I'll post the results. Dean

[Christopher Nisperos]

I got the plans and excellent suggestions for building my screens and rack from a great "darkroom diy" book:

http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com...=9780936262048