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  #1  
Old 26th November 2017, 03:45 PM
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Ian Marsh Ian Marsh is offline
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Default Fixer

I like to mix my own developers and toners for various reasons.

I would like to make a fixer and am looking for any reccomendations.

Film is mixed, Kentmere, Ilford FP4+ and FP5+ and Tri x

Paper usually Ilford MG RC

Thanks
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Old 26th November 2017, 04:19 PM
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Hello, the formula I have for rapid fixer is:
  • 750ml of Water at above 40˚C
  • 200g of Sodium Thiosulfate
  • 50g of Ammonium Chloride
  • 20g of Potassium Metabisulfite
  • Once mixed add cold water to make up to 1 litre
Bests,

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Old 27th November 2017, 02:08 PM
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thanks David

Would this be used as it is or diluted for use please
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Old 27th November 2017, 02:54 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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Ian another you might like to try for both film and paper
800 ml water at 40C
Sodium sulphite anhydrous 10Gg
ammonium thiosulphate 150G
water to make 1000ml
make 24 hours before use
use undiluted
fixing time at 20c for film is 3 to 5 minutes for film and 2 3 minutes for paper
I have another if you are interested
water at 40c750ml
sodium sulphite anhydrous 10mg
ammonnium sulphate 25g
sodium thiosulphate anhydrous 180g
water to make 1000ml
again use undiluted
fixing times for film are 4 to 5 minutes and paper 2 3 minutes
this is a cheaper version of the last rapid fixer

another rapid fixer is the Agfa 304 formula
for film and paper
water at 50c750ml
Sodium thiuosulphate crystals 200g
ammonium chloride 50g
potassium metabisulphite 20g
water to make 1000ml
use undiluted
fixing times for film at 20c are 4 to 5 minutes and for paper 2 to 3 minutes
Hope this helps
Richard
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Old 27th November 2017, 04:26 PM
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thanks for the repies.
One of the reasons for wanting to do this was cost, I thought it may save some money.

However.

Having just costed the chemicals on a gram price ( I know I would initially have a large outlay for stock) The mixtures vary in price from £17.35 to £7.38 per litre to make and use undiluted.

Bearing in mind I can Buy 1 Litre Ilford rapid fixer for £10.70 which can be diluted 1+4 or 1+9 this makes for 2.14 and £1.07 per litre of working solution.

Do not think it is remotely viable from this point.
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Old 27th November 2017, 04:59 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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You can buy other fixers, such as champion amfix, which I buy by the 5 litre container,for around £17, or tetenal superfix which cam be had for £16.5 for five litres, it certainly makes more sense to buy the fixer ready made, both the amfix and tetenal fix are as good as Ilford, use the same dilution rate, and same fixing times.
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Old 27th November 2017, 05:24 PM
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I agree with Richard. The 5 litre purchase is much more economical compared to buying a litre.
Alex


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Old 27th November 2017, 07:46 PM
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If you are processing fibre base paper you can get an alkaline fix https://www.fotospeed.com/fx40-alkal...ieconfirm=true
This fix is easier to wash out of paper than acid based rapid fixers. It also seems to stay stable for ages as there is no acid in it to break down the other chemicals.
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Old 27th November 2017, 10:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian Marsh View Post
thanks David

Would this be used as it is or diluted for use please
This can be diluted at 1 + 4 or 1 + 9 but, these days, I always go for a stronger fixer with a shorter period of fixing.

David.
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Old 27th November 2017, 10:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexmuir View Post
I agree with Richard. The 5 litre purchase is much more economical compared to buying a litre.
Alex


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This is true but you have to factor in that a 5L canister will go off in 3 months. However, if you decant it straight after opening and ensure the smaller bottles are full to the brim you will get a much longer usable life.

The key thing with rapid fixer is that when it smells somewhat acrid or strange it is, for archival purposes at least, dead.

Bests,

David.
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