Several years ago I made this black and white 250 x 250mm enlarger. The light source is a Aristo cold light 300 x 300mm. In the summer of 96, I purchased a new tube for the Aristo light source. This new tube has a mixture of gases. The new tube V-54 will produce execellent single contrast and polycontrast prints that will allow the use of the multicontrast filters. The original tube W-45 was great for single contrast papers. Both the focus and elevation are controlled by two hand cranks on rack & pinions. The weight of the enlarger is counter-balanced by a heavy weight below the table.
The unit is timed with a Zone VI compensating timer. The timer senses the variation in light output when the unit is turned on and cycled for the duration of time. It is located at the rear right of the enlarger.
On the right wall is a electronic dust cleaner, it uses the electrostatic charge together with a fine camel hair brush to remove all traces of dust.
I have recently had email from James Wilson
The lighting is provided by a double florescent fixture over the sink area and is controlled by a wall switch by the door and by a pull switch over the position of the fixer tray on the left. There is also a viewing light controlled by a wall switch just over the sink to the left. This light is on a light dimmer so that the ouput can be controlled at about ev.12 @100asa. A piece of white melamine provides an area for the wet print to be placed for viewing.
On the ceiling is a safe light made from a retro fit exit light. It consists of two banks of red leds (light emitting diodes). It consumes about 2 watts of power. The light is safe for about 7 minutes before the enlarger exposure and 4 minutes after the enlarger exposure on all the papers that I have tried.
The prints are washed with 1 of 2 home made washer, basically an all glass aquarium with 8 partitions, that will hold 16 * 280 x 360mm(11x14") prints. The water flows in the end of the tank, over the prints and is exhausted from the bottom of the washer. The other washer is made the same but larger.
This film washer is based on the same principal as the paper washer, its made from very thin stainless steel (local sheet metal shop). This one is made for Kinderman spirial film reels. It will hold two 120 reels or four 35mm reels. The outside shell is 110mm(4.3") diameter by 160mm (6.3") high, the inside is cylinder is 90mm (3.5") diameter by 175mm (6.9") high (the inside cylinder is mounted 6mm(1/4") off the base to allow for water flow
The water for the washer and for general use is piped into the darkroom on two pipes that are connected to the thermal regulator. This controller monitors the water and maintains the desired temperature with flows up to about 30 ltr per hour.
On the left side is a timer box that contains two timers. The first timer is the maximum time for the print wash. The second timers allows the prints to sit in still water for 30 min. and then a 5 min rinse. This cycle continues for the duration of the maximum time set. Generally for fibre based paper, its a 2 hour wash time.
This washer a smaller version of the print washer is used to wash 4x5" negatives. My choice of adhesive (white silicon) does not add to the appearance however it does work well. It will hold 26 negative about 8mm apart and 25mm from the bottom of the tank. The plastic top which is perforated allows the water to flow over all the negatives and also keeps them in place ( from the pressure of the water)
Rather than rely on chemical test to determine if the fixer for both negatives and paper have be exhausted, I use these two little counters, when they reach 0 I dump the fixer out.
I made this print press in 1986 and it has been well worth the effort to make it. The frame is made of 12mm steel, with 6mm angle iron brackets between each side. The movable handle when it is brought forward and down is self locking to maintain the pressure on the prints. The heater is hand wound nichrome wire connect to 115 vac(1000 watts) through a temperature controller. The temperature is set about 118'c(220'f). The platen is 457 x 558mm(18 x 22") with the base being about 25mm(1") larger in both directions.
When fibre base paper is air dried, it takes on many shapes non of which is flat. I carefully place the prints on a table top and cover them with a heavy weight while the press is heating up. This prevents the paper from curling up when it is placed in the press. After a few minutes in the press and the prints are quickly placed on the cool counter top.
Thanks for visiting this page, if you have any questions please send E-Mail