Paper Washer: recommendations ?

[Ken Lee]

I would like to find an affordable paper washer to handle paper sizes up to 11x14. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I don't have a lot of "wet" space, and I would like to conserve water if possible.

Is it true that washers which roll the prints inside a cylinder can damage the prints ?

[Sal Santamaura]

You'll need to balance affordablilty with water conservation. If the latter is important, I unreservedly recommend the Summitek Cascade washer (smaller version). I've been a satisifed owner for many years; it consumes only 250ml/min.

[paulr]

yeah, the cascade is nice. found one on ebay years ago for not too much.

if you can't put it in a sink (or someplace with drainage) be prepard to keep an eye on it ... if the flow rate gets cranked too high, it will overflow. other than that, it's simple and perfect.

[David E. Rose]

Ken,
I have a Cachet EcoWash print washer and I really like it. Low water consumption, efficient washing and simple design. It is not fussy and will not overflow. The 11x14 size is availabe from B&H for $520.

[Graham Patterson]

I am happy with my 11x14 Versalab. It is a single-tank, multiple divider type, so it wouldn't suit someone who likes to wash individual prints concurrently. Since I batch mine it is not an issue. Not exactly elegant, but if you drop it the damage will be to the floor 8-)

[Ted Harris]

Ken, I have used an Arkay rotary drum print washer, where you put the prints in a cage inside the washer, for some 35 years ... same simple machine still goin strong ... and never had any problems.

[Wayne]

I also use and like my Versalab. It was very economical.

Ted, I wonder if that is the same kind of washer my dad used to have? In the 60's he had this big tub-stand thing with a perforated stainless steel barrel that spun round and round. It was so big that when I was little I used to crawl inside of it.

When the prints were done they would go into the belt dryer.

Wayne

[Ted Harris]

I also use and like my Versalab. It was very economical.

Ted, I wonder if that is the same kind of washer my dad used to have? In the 60's he had this big tub-stand thing with a perforated stainless steel barrel that spun round and round. It was so big that when I was little I used to crawl inside of it.

When the prints were done they would go into the belt dryer.

Wayne
Yup, that's the one .. used to hve one of the belt dryers in my studio but long since got rid of it.

[David Karp]

Ken,

I second the Versalab. Built like a battleship, which is good if the thing has to be moved a lot. Works well. David Vestal wrote a nice review on the product years ago when it was first introduced.

[David Karp]

This post reminded me about something I did a long time ago, and it is still on the web! I did a review of the washer for a friend's website. Here is the URL: http://www.onlinephotography.com/articles/prodrev.htm.

[Brian Ellis]

The prints from my Zone VI Studios 11x14 print washer going back as far as about 14 years still look fine so at least for that length of time it does a good job. I just sold it on ebay for about $220 or about 40% of its original cost. That makes it the best item of darkroom equipment from a cost-to-resale price of anything I owned. About $3500 of other darkroom equipment brought a whopping $550.

[Paul Moshay]

I vote for the Patterson print washer. It uses about one gallon per hour, and that is adjustable, has a basket with dividers that rock back and forth by way of incoming water pressure, holds twelve 11x14 prints or twice as many 8x10. Remember, print washing is a molecular diffusion process, not hydraulic mining, washers that use one gallon per minute are a shameful waste of water, not to mention the added cost.
Paul

[Merg Ross]

Another vote for the Versalab.

[SAShruby]

I just finished my own print or film washer which is made from an aquarium, total cost of 350 dollars, will handle 11 prints 16x 20 (my intention is to do enlargement 30 x 40 inch) and wash 11 8x20 negatives or 22 8x10 negatives. Plenty of water, will do thorough wash you do not need to exchange water too much. Best washer I could possibly have, made from glass and transparent plastic.:)

[Dan Schmidt]

The verslab is very nice, sturdy (really no way to break it) and well priced.

I have the 11x14 model with 14 slots and it can hold 56 8 x 10 prints (they overlap slightly).

I use a flow limiter at the input to keep the flow at 0.5 gpm independent of pressure.

[Anthony Oresteen]

Get the 11x16 Cascade. Yes it does 11x16. This means you can wash two 8x10 prints side by side in the same slot. Some 11x14 washers are just that - 11x14 and you can't fit two 8x10 prints in the same slots. I also wash 10x16 prints (Full frame 35mm on 1/2 sheet of 16x20 paper) in this washer.

I bought my 11x16 Cascade in 1998; it is still going strong. Last yeasr I added the Cascade 20x24 washer as well.

The Cascades use very little water.

[Bill McMannis]

For cheap, the print washer from Fine Art Photo Supply is hard to beat. You supply the cheap aquarium, they provide the dividers. Rather than a continuous flow of water, they let the paper soak (leeching they call it). It works great for me.

[Jan Pedersen]

With a little patience you can find a good buy on ebay.
A few months ago i bought a like new Cachet Echowash 11x14 for 260$ It is really a joy to use and seems to be well made.

jan

[Ken Lee]

For cheap, the print washer from Fine Art Photo Supply is hard to beat. You supply the cheap aquarium, they provide the dividers. Rather than a continuous flow of water, they let the paper soak (leeching they call it). It works great for me.

I have a smaller one for washing film - or rather soaking it.

Their web site doesn't seem to show it any more. I suspect they had a bunch of them made, and when those ran out, that was the end.

[Bill McMannis]

I have a smaller one for washing film - or rather soaking it.

Their web site doesn't seem to show it any more. I suspect they had a bunch of them made, and when those ran out, that was the end.

Ken,

You are correct. It appears that the change of ownership at Fine Art Photo Supply brought an end to this product. Too bad as it really worked well. It would not be too hard to replicate though.

[Ken Lee]

I also have the larger unit, which I got for washing 8x10 film. (I found it helpful to drill holes in the plexiglass sheets, to promote diffusion.)

The problem with using it for paper, is that paper floats: the prints float up and out of their holders. I presume that these problems don't arise with other, more elaborate units.

[Mark Pope]

I'm very pleased with my Nova paper washer. Have a look at http://www.novadarkroom.com The new washers have a dump facility which means that it's possible to get rid of hypo-laden water really quickly. Some also have a slot for hypo-eliminator. If they're available in the US, I'd recommend you take a look at one.

Cheers