I will hopefully be making some 20 x 24" print trays out of Plexiglass in the next day or two.
I'll hopefully be using 1/4 or so inch plexi for them.
Just hardware store handles for now.
The one real change over the traditional tray that I'm planning is installing some sort of drain. Possibly just a Petcock. Just because it can be a bugger dealing with larger full trays.
Is there anything else you would want if you were making your own?
Use the proper solvent (weld-on or similar) and make sure your edges to be bonded are very smooth.
I saw some trays recently with a drain in the corner located on the bottom. It was just a short tube with a rubber stopper in it.
Would just use 2x4's without nailing together. Lay them in the sink and use plastic 'drop cloth' laid in them. When done, remove a 2x4 and let the chemistry down the drain.
Personally I would forget plexi, too heavy and fragile to move around. I would either do a hand layup of fiberglass and epoxy or
vacuum bag them them over a custom made form.
I was originally going to just use wood, along with plastic sheeting.
However the hardware store here has very little stock.
So I am thinking, if I need to go for a drive for materials something a little more permanent is better.
Fiberglass was on my mind too.
Acrylic is expensive, and has to be quite thick to support itself, and it retains some moisture...
I haven't priced these yet, but someone across the hall from my storage unit was moving a few large, new looking, VERY heavy gauge, VERY attractive, deepish sided, stackable trays that made my mouth water (and drool)!!! I asked him what those trays were used for, and he said they were for a hydroponics set-up... (Note to self; price these trays the next time I need oversize trays!!!)
Probably somewhat mass produced, attractive priced, and cheaper than the raw materials to build...
Steve K
Thanks Steve,
I just googled them up, and those trays basically start at $30. Which isn't too bad.
You got me thinking. This region once had more green thumbs per capita that anywhere else in Canada. So there may be some laying around somewhere.
I wonder if my ex wife would tell me
Recently, I checked with the local sheet-metal fabricator on the fabrication of 19 x 23 x 3 inch stainless steel trays. His quote for the work was, $40 apiece. Which at the time I thought was a little bit pricey, but with the benefits of stainless steels thermal properties and being a easy clean I think they are right in line. And they will last a lifetime.
Michael.
Last edited by Sfroza; 6-Oct-2015 at 07:45.
You might find it easier to buy something like these Sterilite containers.
See http://www.kenleegallery.com/html/tech/devtray.php
At the size you're interested in, they may be called "storage".
How about dry wall mixing tubs from the big box home improvement store?
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
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