UV Lightsource

[Monty McCutchen]

To the multitudes,

I am in a unique situation where I am locked down on a campus for work until mid October. To be clear due to Covid I am not allowed to leave campus until said time-frame. I brought my 7 x 17 with me and have ample space in my room to develop with trays (being shipped) in the bathtub. I have some down time on weekends that I could print Pt/Pd--and besides dammit I don't want to wait until October to print! Although I am no Keith Taylor or Dick Arentz I know my way around the process and am proud of the work I produce. Being that I am often the only person viewing my work it often works out quite nicely that I have that opinion about it. At home I am completely set up--Amerigraph light source with a nice big vacuum frame for all my formats--all the way up to 20 x 24. Here not so much. Any suggestions on an economical three month solution for a light source? I know I could use the sun with this

http://www.lightmeasure.com/new-products-1/ppm-3 or heaven forbid by inspection and potentially learn a new skill set. Perish the thought as that is not my preference.

I am aware of course of

www.eepjon.com

but they are not inexpensive and I have no use for such extravagance once I return to my Amerigraph. I have no interest in shopping for various parts on Home Depot's website to have shipped here to build one myself. With my skills I might use the whole damn three months up. I'm looking for a hack, the proverbial shortcut to greatness here.

Will this produce sufficient light so printing times could be measured in epoch's instead of eon's?

https://www.screenprinting.com/products/aluminum-uv-screen-exposure-unit-16x20?variant=5214230773801

Any other workable solutions in essence for a three month rental? Any catches on the Hail Mary I'm throwing will be greatly appreciated.

Monty

[Eric Woodbury]

Monty, I'm no expert, but many here are. The question I'd ask is how much sunlight do you have? Since you can measure your UV, exposure should be easy.

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[Gary Beasley]

I mounted two sets of these to a sheet of 3/8” plywood.
Barrina UV LED Blacklight Bar, 9W 2ft, T5 Integrated Bulb, Black Light Fixture for Blacklight Poster and Party, Fun Atmosphere with Built-in ON/Off Switch(4-Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NT6189/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_CzFiFbEMCP9CA

You can make or find a contact frame to go with it.
Heres the Photrio thread where I learned about these, starting at post #91.
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/best-uv-light-source-led-vs-fluro-vs-hid-etc.115208/page-4

[Tin Can]

Uva alt print box

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?159062-Uva-alt-print-box&p=1560470&viewfull=1#post1560470

[Ron McElroy]

I looked at the specs on the screen printing unit and because it uses CFL bulbs I believe the light would be very uneven. Do you need a contact frame as well? If not then something light this might work better

https://www.ebay.com/itm/110V-60W-18x12in-UV-Exposure-Unit-Silk-Screen-Printing-Plate-Making-Silk-Screen-/114327912881?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

Check in with Sandy King. I believe he has a unit similar to this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Commercial-24x20-In-Vacuum-Exposure-Unit-Silk-Screen-Pad-Print-Plate-Making/253417634989?hash=item3b00de3cad:g:~qkAAOSwXtNafQaV

Good luck with the quest and stay healthy.

[Monty McCutchen]

Thank you for the suggestions.

Ron I’ll look into your links—thank you for leading me there.

Monty

[PRJ]

I think your best bet Monty are the LED fixture lights that people have been using lately. They aren't very expensive and they seem to put out a good amount of light.

I built my own LED unit out of strip lights tightly packed. They give a short exposure on cyanotype (1.5-3m) which is all I have used it for at this point. I wouldn't recommend that for a temporary solution though. Not worth the grief.