NOTE : some photography teachers prefer to use fewer but larger trays in which several students develop prints at the same time. This practice often leads to students being splashed with developer as someone over enthusiastically transfers their print into the stop bath. Developer on white shirts is not a pleasant sight. So we suggest four individual Dev, Stop and Fix stations which will service a large number of students and keep Health and Safety standards at a high level.
Wet Bench
The wetbench is the heart of a darkroom and is the first item you may need to consider when remodeling an existing facility. The cost of the final assembly will start at around $6000 but will vary according to the accessories required to accomodate the number of students. Wet benches are custom built from chemical resistant PVC and are generally 2400 x 800mm. This size is important for two reasons.
- The wet bench is large enough to accept a print washer. In practice, if the printwasher is centrally located, this means there's sufficient space for four sets of Dev, Stop and Fix using 200 x 250mm print trays and still enough room for four students to process negatives in tanks at the far end of the wet bench.
- The wet bench size allows for simultaneous use of three of the largest print trays available i.e. for 500 x 600mm prints when the class is involved in extra large prints.
Wet benches are supplied with a hob at each end, pre-drilled to accommodate the appropriate number of faucets ordered.
A 50mm waste outlet is located directly above the space provided for the dilution tank.
Wet bench stands are fabricated from high moisture resistant board. The smooth white melamine surfaces can be easily wiped over to keep your darkroom fresh and clean.
Both stand and wet bench are predrilled for ease of fastening with four screws.