Custom made darkroom sinks in the UK

[Mike Crawford]

Hello.

Asking for a friend, but has any UK members got recommendations for manufacturers of darkroom sinks. Ideally custom made to size, though good to know any general ones. Unfortunately it seems Hull of Richards are not around anymore which is a great shame. My sinks made by them are more than 30 years old and still going strong.

Thanks!

 

[pentaxuser]

Let's hope that such places and skills still exist. If my sink made by S.W. Browns of Birmingham were to crack I have no idea what I'd do in terms of a replacement

pentaxuser

 

[Lachlan Young]

@Mike Crawford are you sure Richards of Hull have disappeared? Their website is still online - and they weren't that reliant on photographic markets the last I heard - archaeological, conservation and forensic markets, along with printmaking and the like all seem to be part of their purview. Had a sink made by them a couple of years ago - as it is, anywhere that can do welded PVC of the right grade will be able to fabricate something suitable.

 

[Jord186]

Nova Darkroom Sinks - The Imaging Warehouse | Nova Darkroom & Digital Inkjet Supplies

Not sure if they do custom though.


Richards were my first thought as well

Richards of Hull

 

[Mike Crawford]

@Mike Crawford are you sure Richards of Hull have disappeared? Their website is still online - and they weren't that reliant on photographic markets the last I heard - archaeological, conservation and forensic markets, along with printmaking and the like all seem to be part of their purview. Had a sink made by them a couple of years ago - as it is, anywhere that can do welded PVC of the right grade will be able to fabricate something suitable.

My friend said that the number doesn't work now and her e mails are unanswered. If you have any other contacts for them, do please message me if that's ok. I'm still using my old sinks by them, and it was a good job they are in two sections that are butted and clipped together making them 11' length in total. Easy to dismantle for moving. When I used to have others working with me, (pre digital), we got Richard's to plastic weld together a 12' sink in one piece in situ for Gaby's darkroom. Also had the metal frame welded together on site. Sadly there was no way to get it out in one piece when we moved out of the basement, even though we knocked down all the stud walls that were built for the darkroom. Not a happy time!!!

 

[Lachlan Young]

Liquidated in early December 2023.