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Darkroom Accessories: Print Squeegee
After you read this one, you're going to think I'm crazy. After you build it and use it you're going to think I'm a genious. I had a set of wipers that were the wrong size, that I bought by mistake, and one day had the inspiration to try to make a paper squeegee, like they have in the big processing machines. It works great with RC paper, I've never tried it with Fiber Based paper though. DesignTools
Materials
Construction
Use
Design
I used automobile windshield wipers, held in a V shape. I then slide the prints between the wipers and the water runs off. The auto wipers are soft enough that I've never had an RC print get scratched, and they remove enough water that I don't have to do anything else but hang them up to dry.Tools
- Screw driver - I use a drill with screwdriver bits
- Saw - table, circular or hand
- Sanding block - I use a palm sander
- Paint brush - if you paint it
Materials
- Windshield wiper pair - use a new set
- 1x2 or 1x4 lumber scraps
- Screws - 1" or 1 1/4" - I use drywall screws because they are self tapping
- Nails, epoxy, and or caulk
- Sandpaper
- Paint - if you paint it
Construction
- Cut lengths of wood to mount the windshield wipers onto.
- Attach the windshield wipers to the edges of the wood, use screws, nail, epoxy, caulk, or whatever else you can think of based on the shape of the windshield wipers you are using. I used a combination of nails and screws. Get the wipers so they are close to one side of the wood.
- Cut a piece of wood to hold the pieces made above in a 90 degree angle.
- Sand, seal and paint, if you are so inclined (in this instance I did not paint, because I just wanted to see if it would work, it did, and has survived 5 years of use so far!)
- Screw the windshield wiper mounted pieces of wood to the holding plate so that the wipers touch each other (do not make them press against each other, just barely touch)
- Cut two pieces of wood and screw them to the other side of the plate so that you can set these pieces over the edge of the sink and the squeegee will remain in place when you drag paper through.
