Before the pandemic I had a wonderful darkroom in an outdoor shed. It has now been at least 4 years since I have been able to make any work, I have not been particularly inspired until now. I am now in a new home in a new state starting from scratch. I bet on myself when I moved knowing I wouldn't be able to be out of the darkroom forever. I kept all of my equipment. I have 3 or 4 enlargers, dozens of trays, clocks, safe lights, beakers and swizzle sticks, film reels, special equipment for processing sheet film etc.
I am a lover of all mediums 35, 6x6, 6x9, 4x5. So, now begins my new journey. I have identified a 10' x 5' space in my attic that would make an excellent darkroom area. It would at least be an excellent area for wet work. If I can't fit everything in that area, there is a seperate area in the same attic space that would make a good area for viewing prints, selecting negatives, and drying prints.
My appeal to this community is for help because I forgot what else I might need and for help in arranging a good layout.
I was hoping to be able to print up to 20x24 but that means I would need my sink to be about 26" wide to handle the trays, that and the astronomical cost of paper these days has brought me to the conclusion that 16x20 might be the maximum print limit for my space. I have attached a very rough drawing of the space in question.
In hindsight I think it would be best for my enlarger to go on the very leftmost end of my sink opposite from it space permitting. I don't know exactly how much space I would need for a 16 x 20 easel. I just looked at what a 16 x 20 easel is going for and I am shook as the kids say (any good diy easel plans out there?). 4 years ago everything I am looking at was at least 1/2 the cost that it seems to be going for today.
I also have a massive archival print washer that I need to stuff somewhere. I could potentially place it in the sink permanently but that would require serious bracing of the sink because dry it weighs like 75lbs. Maybe I need to ditch this one and get a smaller unit but I'd like to use what I already have.
The sink would have storage underneath for chemistry and trays. A shelf above for measurement vessels, tongs, clocks etc. I would be constructing this plywood on a frame made out of 2x4 studs.
The viewing and storage area will have a big light table that I already own.
Any help planning this space is greatly appreciated.
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