Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Setting up a Darkroom

  1. #1

    Setting up a Darkroom

    I have been running around collecting equipment and buying lumber, etc. I am about to start constructing a sink and table tomorrow. Any last minute tips?

    \Tyler

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 1997
    Location
    Baraboo, Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,697

    Re: Setting up a Darkroom

    When you build the sink make sure it isn't level and don't put the drain in the center. Put the drain at one end and make the legs about an inch lower at that end to facilitate draining.
    Brian Ellis
    Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you'll be
    a mile away and you'll have their shoes.

  3. #3
    lenser's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Tim from Missouri
    Posts
    1,698

    Re: Setting up a Darkroom

    Make the sink tall enough for your height. Standard counter height, if you are too tall, can be a back killer after only a few prints. If it hurts when you wash the dishes, you'll hurt even more in the darkroom (more hours). Be sure to allow for a vent fan and plenty of air flow. A good radio or CD player helps the time pass.

    Tim
    "One of the greatest necessities in America is to discover creative solitude." Carl Sandburg

  4. #4

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    2,588

    Re: Setting up a Darkroom

    Make sure to put a bar or something along one side of the sink so you can lean up against it,

  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Ramona, CA
    Posts
    159

    Re: Setting up a Darkroom

    Two things I could not do without; a refrigerator and a really good lock on the door!
    When mine is completely set up and ready to go I will post some pictures, just in case anyone is interested.

  6. #6

    Re: Setting up a Darkroom

    It is a shame to cut all that wood yourself: I built two 8' sinks and when I picked up the plywood at home Depot I had them cut the plywood on their panel saw. 50 cents cents a cut and the guy did not charge me. Those panel saws do much better than me with a circular saw. I made the sinks sqaure and level adjusting slope with the stands.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Vero Beach, Florida
    Posts
    335

    Re: Setting up a Darkroom

    When I built my sink, I made it level but the bottom is tilted so one corner, where the drain is located is lower than the others. There is a false bottom which is level that is about 1 1/2" higher than the real bottom. Simply made from 2" wide wood strips spaced about 1/2" apart supported on 3/4" strips. This way no matter how much water is moving around in the sink the trays, bottles, etc aren't floating around.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    37

    Re: Setting up a Darkroom

    The best thing I ever did was use Green code plywood (for bathroom applications)
    and covered the interior seams with 4in wide fiberglas cloth and painted the interior with a product named GloveIt that is available in sailboat supply stores.(It's like a
    polyurethane)Had it for 20yrs. without a leak!

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Johannesburg South Africa
    Posts
    33

    Re: Setting up a Darkroom

    Oddest sink I ever saw was in a commercial darkroom. It was stainless steel and had a decidedly odd but recognizable shape that I couldn't quite decide where I had seen before. Slightly wave shaped. I asked the owner of the sink and he admitted that it was a public restroom urinal that he had laid on its back and mounted on legs. Weird but it worked very well.

Similar Threads

  1. Illford Photo: Defend The Darkroom
    By David Spivak-Focus Magazine in forum On Photography
    Replies: 39
    Last Post: 7-Jan-2010, 13:54
  2. survey digital vs traditional darkroom
    By Kirk Gittings in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 185
    Last Post: 30-Jul-2009, 12:21
  3. Color Darkroom Precautions and Setup
    By deanbl in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 16-Sep-2006, 07:41
  4. A new Darkroom!
    By Calamity Jane in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 36
    Last Post: 26-Aug-2005, 21:11
  5. Any ARCHIVABLE LF ink jet printers that can equal darkroom print?
    By Bill Glickman in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 8-Jan-2001, 13:42

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •