MECHANICAL WA SHERS.
It has been pointed out that, when possible, hand washing is preferable to machine washing ; but it will easily be seen that hand washing can only be done when the quantity dealt with is small, as not more than about fifty prints can be washed properly by hand at one time, and if they have to be done in batches the waste of time increases. All washers are construc ted on practically the same principle. They consist of two compartments, and are made of a substance that is not likely to affect the print, such as wood, enamelled metal, or porcelain ; the lower compart ment receives the contaminated water, and is fitted with a syphon for emptying pur poses, and the upper compartment allows the prints to soak, keeping them at the same time well separated. Any washer that does not meet these requirements is bad. A serviceable washer may be con structed with a small wooden cask, a sheet of perforated zinc, some comp° piping, and some rubber tubing. Coat the cask well, inside and out, with paraffin wax. Next cut a sheet of perforated zinc, as shown in Fig. 348, bend at the parts marked x. and place the zinc in the bottom of the cask. The zinc can be removed when required by passing the fingers through the two holes. The compo piping must be fastened so as to pass through the cut A and over the side (see B, Fig. 349). At c fix another piece of
piping and connect c with the tap by a piece of rubber tubing. A circular motion is given to the prints by the jet of water emitted by c. Fig. 350 shows an excellent form of washing apparatus. The fresh water is introduced from the side, and the contaminated water is drawn off from the bottom. The inventor claims that in all ordinary circumstances it is im possible for prints to clog together for a moment, and this claim seems to be sub stantiated. The prints do not appear to suffer ill usage in the process, as with some mechanical washers. Fig. 351 shows another form of washer which is very popu lar. The " Champion," suitable for either prints or negatives, is illustrated by Fig. 352. The " Suspension " washer for large prints is shown by Fig. 353. The prints are held in a wooden frame by means of wedges and the frame is supported in a large tub or tank by metal uprights, which fold out of the way when not in use. Another useful idea takes the form of wooden clips (Fig. 354) by means of which the prints may be floated in an upright position in any convenient vessel.