You will recall that a couple of
Newsletters back I was talked into having a go at mixing my own Home-brew
from raw chemicals. Up to now you have followed my exploits into the E-6
processing, using, Commercial kits, and with considerable success. It was
suggested, that being a Committee man, I should show encouragement to
others to take up Home-brew processing, which, of course, is what the
C.R.C. is all about.
As with all new ventures the initial
cost of getting all the equipment together is foremost. However much of
the materials I have already. I was lucky in getting a fine set of scales
from a CRC member at our very first Didcot meeting. I had ideas of.
attempting home-brews then, but having success with kits I wasn’t too,
sure of getting into these complications. I cant recall who the gentleman
was, but I would like to thank him again and at last show that I have got
around to putting them to use.
There was a set of weights included but
the smaller sizes were missing. Bob Lewis kindly made up these from
alluminium cuttings. These consist of - (brass) l00g, 50g, 2 * 20g, l0g,
5g 2 x 2g and 1g. and (alluminium) °500g, 2 x •200g, •l00g,
•50g,
2 x 20g and a l0g. just right for this use.
Bob also recommended the Barry Priscott
“BK6O” formulae, and for chemical supplies? who better than our OWN,
Oliver Barron. I sent Oliver the formulae and’ in return’ he sent me
all the chemicals required. These were enough to make 2 x I litres of
chemic The formulae consisted of - 1st Dev. Col. Dev. two separate Stop
Baths, Bleach and Fixer baths, This cost £5.19 plus postage. Very
economical for this amount of chemicals and shows what a good service we
get from Oliver. Because of copyright I cant print the whole formulae, but
for example here are samples of three baths and the equipment required for
the work:- (Oliver’s instructions ).
EQUIPMENT.
(Including what you have already)
Balance.
Sensative enough to measure 10mg (0.0lg) and going up to 100g.
Never put chemicals on bare scale pans. Use smooth pieces of paper
or plastic on each pan & balance. (Chemicals will stick to rough.)
Thermometer.
(accurate)
100/1.20F
( = 40/50C )
(approx)
212F
( = 100C )
Boiling water.
Measuring Jars etc.
l000ml
( = 1 litre)
For full mix.
250m1
(approx )
For medium quantities.
50m1
(approx )
For small quantities.
2, 5 & l0ml
syringes. These can be had from your doctor
who. thows them away after one uses.
Stirring
rod.
Coloured
bottles.
6,
300m1;
2, l00ml for developers.
1, l000ml for Bleach.
Col.
or clear bottles.
3, l000ml
2, for Stops; 1, for Fixer.
Stop Baths
Bleach
Potassium metabisulphite
35.0g.
Potassium ferricyanide
40.0g.
Water to
l000mls.
Potassium bromide
8.0g.
Water to
l000ml.
Fixer
Sodium Thiosuiphate
50.0g.
Potassium metabisulphite
3g.
Water to
l000ml.
I started with these three baths as they
represented the easiest to weigh and are no more trouble than using a
commercial kit. With the scales balanced ‘Centrally’ while empty, I
placed a piece of paper on each, pan (both cut to same size, for balance)
and placed weights to 35.0g on the left hand pan, raised the balance,
fully, so that they leaned toward the weighted side, and with a small
plastic spoon, placed