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Looking for advice on sizing the inside of wet plate silver dip tanks
Planning to assemble my own with cut to size acrylic from perhaps this supplier
https://www.tapplastics.com/product/...o_size_plastic
5X7, 8X10 and 11X14 but not all at once
No plans to sell anything
I have done pretty well with 1" openings. Any larger and you spend too much money on silver nitrate, and smaller may cause scrapes on the top of the plate as you move it in and out. You also need to consider the thickness of the dipper.
Are you going to make a single box (not an inner and outer) using black acrylic? I can measure my Lund boxes and give you the dimensions, if that'd helpQuote:
Originally Posted by Tin Can
Lund silver box for 8x10 plates measures 12” tall x 11.5” wide and 1” deep. The interior of the box is 3/4” deep and about 10.5” wide (it has 1/2” thick side walls so you can put hardware in the side pieces for legs/support).
Filled to the top, the box should hold a volume of about 1500ml, but you won’t ever fill it more than about 1100- 1200ml to allow for displacement by the dip paddle and a 1/4” thick piece of glass. (The thickest piece of plate you’re likely to use)
That's same as my Lund tank. It works well.Quote:
Originally Posted by paulbarden
Kent in SD
When I made one it had an inside thickness of 5/8" and that was plenty for me. I made a Z-profile dipper out of 1.5" wide acrylic that went the whole way to the bottom and stuck out the top enough that manipulation was very easy. Just ride it down and back up the wall of the tank to be sure the plate doesn't come up off the dipper and you don't need much room. It's been a while but I want to say total volume for 8x10 plates was only a liter or so.
There have been some complaints that dippers that are solid all the way across the bottom can create swirl marks on the plate. They posted examples. The Lund uses three or four stainless steel hangers. My Lund 8x10 holds about 1.5L. If there's too little you will be constantly refilling it and I suppose the alcohol and ether build up could become a problem faster. Too much capacity would cost more $$. If you plan on using this in the field you need to do one of two things. Either make the lid very tight seal and locked down when traveling or pour the solution out into a well sealed bottle before leaving. The very last thing you want is a liter or so of silver nitrate solution getting loose. Even a teaspoon getting out could be a major pain in the ass.
Kent in SD
Never heard/saw that one. I use a plastic dipper of various sorts of bottoms. Technique is very important with wetplate. You can have two people using the exact same setup, on the same day and location, and one will have clean plates, and one with a bunch of problems and flaws. I see it in every workshop I'd held.
All good advice
Been researching welding acrylic this guy has some ideas https://youtu.be/Mx10ZN9Jigo
SS lifter a good idea
I have SS wire left over from darkcloth hoops for Linhof, C1 and Deardorff
Thank you
Just ordered an acrylic tank for 4x5 from Lerouge camera in France.
Looks very well made, price was very reasonable. He claims a capacity of 350 mL (and 1L for the 8x10 tank).
A review of the tanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDv-E8n3xVg
On the FB wp groups users were mentioning the metal hardware corrodes quickly. They simply replaced with stainless steel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ari
Didn't see that, but I'll assess once the tank arrives. Thanks
Ari, I ordered the same travel tank but as 8X10 May 13th
Mine has shipped without tracking, so we will see, what we see
I decided on 8X10 as shipping was the same as smaller and cost was not proportional to capacity
I plan to start with 4X5 alu tins, then move to 5X7 and 8X10 glass I have
Maybe cut that glass to 1/2 plate to use in Japanese book style plate holder in matching camera. Japan was dumping very nice gear last year
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ari
Got a message from Philippe, the owner of Lerouge Camera, about the hardware on his tanks:
All metal parts are made out of stainless steel. The clasps may become a little bit rusty with time.
I'll probably use a little Boeshield on these parts and replace them if there's a problem long-term.
Patina
Right
If that's the case, it suggests they're using the wrong grade of stainless - anything photo process related should be a minimum of 304, ideally 316 - and any welds should be to the same standards.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ari
Agree, looks like he cheaped out on the clasps, but I think it looks promising nonetheless.
I can let you know how it performs, as can Randy if he's so inclined.
Ari,
I may not review any product again
Negative nellies abound, most do not support their criticism with images
I find that odd on a photography forum
I understand, Randy, but someone will always draw benefit from a thoughtful, considered review.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tin Can
I can't read any criticisms of the Lerouge tank since I'm not on FB.
So I'll post a review here, when the time comes.
A youtube review of a tank
Traveling Tanks Review (Silver nitrate and fixer)
Never heard of a dipper causing swirling problems. I use Lund tanks (8x10, 12x14, 16x20). The real reason to want the stainless steel hangers is there is less mess when removing large plates (8x10 and bigger) from the tank. The rods allow you to get a hand under the plate and virtually no silver nitrate is wasted. I have a dipper for my 8x10 tank that I use when teaching and it drips a lot when taking 8x10 plates from the tank. It is fine for smaller plates.
I quit FB 3+ years ago
Rejoined last week as we have no choice about many things these days
Just applied to 4 wet plate FB groups today
and was welcomed back by 127 old friends without rancor
next I find the Old Camera marketplace
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ari
My in hand SS rod is 304, I just checked
It will have to do
I will bend up at least 2 dippers, as usually the first go is never perfect
Quote:
Originally Posted by interneg
Unless you're potentially dealing with lots of chloride salts, 304 is probably fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tin Can
Quote:
Originally Posted by cuypers1807
When I pull the plate up, just before I lift it clear I rest the bottom of the rods against the top inner edge of the tank above the solution and lightly bang it against the side a couple of times. This lets some extra drips come off and wick back into the tank.
Kent in SD