I stumbled upon this for a portable Darkbox




It's a PORTABLE DARKROOM CHAIRSIDE by DENTALEMPORIUM for $99 on your favorite auction site
It's not setup for wetplate.

Here's my idea and please correct me if I am wrong.

Take that idea but use a cardboard box instead.
Cut the top of the 4 flaps off, turn it upside down so the bottom is the top now.

Put transparent red-plexi or ruby red glass on the top and one in the front for windows.

Put some arm holes in the box and install a type of black tube cloth like a sleeve off a shirt or jacket, tape it around the holes to block the light when you
put your arms through the holes.

While the front window lights the inside you look through the red window on top of the box to be able to see your developing?

When you’re done,you just lift the box off and your outside away from the fumes.

I don't even know if fumes are even an issue. I don't know how strong those chemicals are when your inside the box but I have read where others mentioned it's hot and stuffy and the fumes made them dizzy.

Plus,no big cloth to mess with.
All you need is a cardboard box with 2 holes for the windows and the arm holes

Here's my questions are:

1. Will you get fogging from all the red windows even if your setup in the shade?

2. Will you be able to see through the glass to see what you’re even doing?

3. Are fumes really that big of a deal by what little amount of time your in there?

Greatly appreciate your opinion,

Carl



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/2013 12:00AM by deltafour.

Carl,

I built a darkbox somewhat like you've shown several years ago. It was hexagonal with a red window at top and an angled red viewing port. The silver bath was dropped through the floor and I also put in a drain on the base and a valve and hose that brought water down from a storage jug that could be placed on the top. The rear walls were made as sliding doors to permit easy loading of chemicals, trays, holders, etc. It had wheels and the legs converted into handles for pulling it along. The third leg had a flat platform attached with a ledge for viewing plates and when upright for transport, I would strap a tripod to it. The top had a raised lip so equipment could be carried on top and secured with a net. By simply lifting it up, the legs swung down into position at the exact height I needed (although the legs werefoldable and adjuctable for uneven terrain. Retaining pins connected the legs to the box so it was very easy to take them off. The wheels were on 1/2" carraige bolts as an axle and could also be removed quickly by loosening 1/2" wingnuts that held them in place. I dimensioned the box sans wheels and legs to fit in the front seat of my car.

It did help me avoid working in fumes and it was very bright inside. It also had an overhang on the inclined window that prevented glare. I could do whole-plates and smaller in it.

Like the box you've pictured, the angled front made inserting arms very comfortable. While typing, notice your arms are angled. Now try typing with your arms at a right angle to the keyboard. Quite a difference and the same was true for the darkbox with angled front.

It was built around a frame using 1/4" plywood so it was fairly light as darkboxes go. The only things I might change if I built another would be to have a binocular viewing hood incorporated with the red viewing window, and also have larger diameter wheels.

Carl,

Speaking of darkboxes, I'm trying to sell my wetplate RV $500 net and will post a classified soon. I thought you might be interested since Lansing is only about an hour away. I've tried to PM a message to you but the forum software keeps giving me error messages.

Joe

p.s., To answer your other questions, I've never had a problem with the red windows but I haven't set that darkbox up on location except in the shade. Nice and bright in there and no fume problems. It airs out very quickly by sliding one of the rear doors open.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/22/2013 05:15PM by smieglitz.

That is one bad ass darkbox, Joe!

Thank you so very much for the offer on your trailer but I am going to keep my operation as small as possible.

That way I don't have lug or store large pieces of equipment.

I rented a dumpster and pitched junk I was storing that hasn't seen the light of day in years. Fun projects that I thought one day I would start on but never did.

I even tore shevling units down so it would prevent me from storing and collecting things again.

Talk about liberating

Only thing I am interested in doing right now is Wetplate/tintype, board surfing, learning the piano and CWing (morse code sending)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2013 05:06PM by deltafour.