If this page takes more than a minute to load, you might want to refresh your browser
Darkroom Accessories: Film Washer
The purpose of a film washer is to keep a continuous flow of water going over the film, this does not have to be a large volume of water, but it is best if it is continuous. This is for 35mm film, but the concept can be adapted for other sizes, I will adapt it for 4x5 if I do much more in that size. OptionsChosen Design
Tools
Materials
Construction
Design for an ABS plastic film washer
ABS Tools
ABS Materials
Construction
Design for a sheet film washer
Sheet Washer Tools
Sheet Washer Materials
Sheet Washer Construction
Use
Options
There are a few ways to do this,- Run water into the developing tank
- Using a JOBO or other manufacturers developing tank that has, with the film washing attachment
- Run water into the bottom of a film washing tube
Chosen Design
Water flows in from the bottom, up past the film and over the top. The constant flow of water, at a slow
rate, is what rinses the film best. A strainer is put over the bottom, so the film reels don't rest
directly on the tube where the water comes in.
Tools
- Sharp knife
- Caulk applicator
- Drill motor, with 1/16" or so drill bit - this is to remove the rivets from the strainer
Materials
- Drink pitcher - 1 or 2 quart, diameter slightly larger than the stainless film reels
- Female hose connector
- Caulk - to secure the hose connector
- Strainer - this is the flat kind, with a handle riveted on. When you remove the handle it should fit into the pitcher
Construction
- Cut a hole in the side of the pitcher, at the bottom, just large enough for the hose connector to slip in, and still be able to attach a hose to the outside. Don't put it so far down that you can't set the pitcher flat when the hose connector is installed.
- Insert the hose connector into the hole, caulk all around to secure it to the pitcher
- Drill through the rivets on the strainer, so you can separate the handle and the round strainer portion
- Cut a V shape in the rim of the pitcher (make the pour spout deeper) so that you can direct the water flow - I use this water to pre-rinse film, paper, or whatever
- Drop the strainer into the bottom of the pitcher, it won't sit flat, but it will prevent the water from deflecting the film in the reels
Design for an ABS plastic film washer
An ABS plastic tube, of a diameter that allows for film reels to fit inside, can be used instead of a drink pitcher. The reels will fit tighter, and theoretically it will use less water. I don't know whether or not it will use less water though.ABS Tools
- Caulk applicator
- Drill motor, with 1/16" or so drill bit - this is to remove the rivets from the strainer, plus a drill bit large enough for the hose connector
ABS Materials
- ABS plastic, about 12" long, of a diameter that will let stainless steel film reels fit inside
- ABS plastic end cap - flat, not round
- Pipe glue to secure the cap to the tube
- Female hose connector
- Caulk - to secure the hose connector
- Strainer - this is the flat kind, with a handle riveted on. When you remove the handle it should fit into the tube
Construction
- Secure the cap to one end of the tube, using the special glue
- Cut a hole in the side of the tube, at the bottom, through the cap and tube, just large enough for the hose connector to slip in, and still be able to attach a hose to the outside. Don't put it so far down that you can't set the pitcher flat when the hose connector is installed.
- Insert the hose connector into the hole, caulk all around to secure it to the washer
- Drill through the rivets on the strainer, so you can separate the handle and the round strainer portion
- Drop the strainer into the bottom of the pitcher, it won't sit flat, but it will prevent the water from deflecting the film in the reels - You might have to trim the strainer, or bend it, to fit in the tube, depending on the diameters
Design for a sheet film washer
Using a film tank, I plan to run water in to the bottom, and then I can put the film hangers into the tank and run the water. A strainer will not be needed.Sheet Washer Tools
- Caulk applicator
- Drill motor, plus a drill bit large enough for the hose connector
Sheet Washer Materials
- Plastic Film tank
- Female hose connector
- Caulk - to secure the hose connector
Sheet Washer Construction
- Secure the cap to one end of the tube, using the special glue
- Cut a hole in the side of the tube, at the bottom, through the cap and tube, just large enough for the hose connector to slip in, and still be able to attach a hose to the outside
- Insert the hose connector into the hole, caulk all around to secure it to the washer
Use
- For the reel films washers, put the strainer in the bottom, so it sits on top of the protruding hose connector, put the film in on top of the strainer.
- For the sheet films washer, put the sheet films in the hangars in the tank.
- Run the water into the film washer using the hose.
- If you put more film into the washer, you have to start the timer over again on all the film, because the chemicals will spread throughout the water faster than it will leave over the top.
