Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Notices

Go Back   Film and Darkroom User > Equipment > Darkroom

  ***   Click here for the FADU 2015/2014 Yearbooks   ***

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 22nd February 2021, 05:28 AM
NeilCannon NeilCannon is offline
New User
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 2
Default contact printing frame

Hello, contact printing frame's look really expensive, so I thought I'd make my own. I have a question regarding the glass, does it have to be a specific type? I have some float glass, from framing, so has a slight green tint to it, will this affect the processing?

Many thanks,

Neil.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22nd February 2021, 12:25 PM
Bob's Avatar
Bob Bob is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: London(ish)
Posts: 2,744
Default

Welcome aboard.

Glass blocks UV-B but allows most UV-A through. I believe wavelengths in the UV-A range are what alternative processes require so pretty much any glass should do the job. A green tint should not be an issue as UV wavelengths are a long way from green.

However, a green tint might affect silver based variable contrast papers as they use green to control the low-contrast exposure but I don't know if the very feint tint in window glass would be enough to make a noticeable difference.

That's the theory, but I do not use alt. procs so I leave it to others to provide the practical!

The only caveat I might make is that window glass breaks in dangerous ways so if it will be used by little hands, perhaps go for toughened safety glass.

Cheers, Bob.

Last edited by Bob; 22nd February 2021 at 12:32 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22nd February 2021, 12:57 PM
Terry S Terry S is online now
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Southend on Sea, Essex, England, UK
Posts: 3,775
Default

Yeah, I'd recommend that you seek out a local glazier and get a bit of toughened glass as well. I did this many moons ago and it didn't cost much more than 'ordinary' glass for sale.

Terry S
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22nd February 2021, 02:09 PM
alexmuir alexmuir is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Glasgow, Scotland.
Posts: 2,663
Default

I tried to re-glaze some old frames myself using float glass bought for picture frames. I couldn’t cut it accurately, so I took the wooden frames to a professional picture framer. He cut several pieces of glass to fit, so that I have spares.
It was just standard picture frame glass, and works fine for normal contacts. I haven’t tried any alternative process with these frames.
Alex


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22nd February 2021, 02:38 PM
Nat Polton Nat Polton is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 757
Default

Picture frame glass tends to be quite thin.
A thicker glass might be more suitable considering the bumping around that the contact frame might experience during use.

Cheers.
__________________
It will all be over by Christmas.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22nd February 2021, 03:12 PM
alexmuir alexmuir is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Glasgow, Scotland.
Posts: 2,663
Default

The frames I have are only 4x5. If it’s something like 8x10, or larger, a heavier glass would be best.
I can recommend the Printfile model which, I think, is 10x12. It’s actually quite reasonably priced compared to others.
Alex


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22nd February 2021, 04:19 PM
NeilCannon NeilCannon is offline
New User
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 2
Default

Fantastic, thanks for the prompt replies, I've done a bit of framing, so can cut the glass to size, but it sounds like the 3mm glass I have will be a bit too thin. I'll look for some thicker stuff. Cheers.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Homemade Contact Printing Frame Nabhar Contact printing 12 11th July 2020 01:47 PM
JOBO contact printing frame? Miha Darkroom 2 18th November 2013 06:11 PM
Help! Patterson 10x8 contact proofing frame AlanJones Darkroom 3 6th July 2012 11:09 PM
7x5 contact printing frame Michael Auctions of Interest 0 1st December 2011 10:02 PM
contact frame AmericanMrs Darkroom 22 22nd October 2010 11:43 AM


All times are GMT. The time now is 11:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.