I'm trying to decide what brand print washer to get. I do mostly fibre. I want a 16x20. I would appreciate hearing why people like/dislike the ones they have. thanks carol

-- carol maurin (cbmaurin+@pitt.edu), March 09, 2000

Answers

I cant tell you much about the fancy plexiglass models, other than they are all supposed to a good job, but cost most of your monthly income.

I still get by very nicely with an old Kodak tray Siphon. I have done dye tests to see just how completely it flushes a tray full of water, and it is a very efficient -- and economical -- device, although they may be hard to find.

As long as you dont crowd the tray, and remember to shuffle the prints around and from top to bottom every few minutes it will wash to archival standards.

-- Tony Brent (ajbrent@mich.com), March 09, 2000.

If water conservation is a concern where you are, look at the Summitek Cascade washer. I've been very pleased with mine; extremely effective at 250ml/minute for the 11x14 size. More water is used by the 16x20 version; see their Web site for details. Note that my only connection with Summitek is as a customer.

-- Sal Santamaura (bc_hill@qwestinternet.net), March 09, 2000.

http://www.summitek.com/cascade.html "Summitek regularly manufactures the Cascade in three sizes, 11x16, 16x22 and 20x24 selling for $425, $525 and $625 respectively. Shipping is extra. The 11x16 washer holds 16, 11x14 prints or 32, 8x10 prints side by side. The 16x20 washer is big enough to hold 10, 16x20 prints or 20, 11x14 prints side by side. The 20 x24 washer has the same capacity as the 16x20 but will also hold 10 of the larger prints."

-- Chris Hawkins (peace@clover.net), March 09, 2000.

You might also want to look at the "Archival print washers" thread in the Printing & Finishing forum (where this post actually belongs).

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), March 10, 2000.