Freddy the wet plate darkroom trailer is ready for action!! Filled the tires and greased the trailer wheel bearings!! All the chemistry, water and glass loaded. I need to pack all my camera gear, then we are a go. Will take the trailer out next week Ambrotype making!
I greased the darkroom trailer wheels for the second time today. A messy job that requires you crawl under the trailer to jack it up. Not the funnest task but necessary to maintain Freddy! You add the grease to the 4 tires as you spin the tires. When your new grease colour comes out you’re done that tire.
I learned how to do this greasing work from YouTube videos. Today I also had to watch several videos on how to change the grease in a grease gun. You gotta love YouTube as it gives me knowledge I never had growing up. Dad never did mechanic work, so I never learned from him. With the invention of YouTube I now have worldwide instructors.
Note* Last night also watched vids on using torch wrenches, changing inner dually tires on a RV and how to use an impact driver. I want to be able to change my dually tires in the fuels if necessary.
Gosh 6 years ago, before the darkroom trailer was scared with silver nitrate and other stains! The ice fishing tent is also for wet plate work, only used it a few times.
Got me a beauty Emily Carr book today, All her collected writing. She was such a talented painter and author! I have always found her work very inspiring. Her forest scenes have been a direct influence on the Ambrotypes of forest scenes for the Ambrotos Kanata project.
The book cost $2.25 CAD at the thrift shop but retails at $40!
I keep trying to streamline and lock down all the moving parts in the darkroom trailer. Its an ongoing battle. Here is how I am currently doing the large trays. Having some carpentry skills (boxes and table tops) is helping things a bit!
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| First trays to use. |
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| Extra trays to use, you can never have enough of these babies! |
Got 2 new 6v batteries for the motor home Fanny. The old ones were all used up and would not hold a charge. Cost was $480 CAD, got a $40 rebate on the old batteries.
The motor home has 4 batteries. A 12v motor/ignition battery, a 12 volt in RV underneath box (2nd ignition battery? and generator starter battery). 2 6volt RV interior power batteries combined to create 12volt.
These batteries will help with longer boon-docking in remote locals while shooting AMBROTOS KANATA.
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Put a new 2000 watt inverter in Fanny the motor home. The inverter changes battery DC power to AC power. It will create a backup power source in the RV and allow higher wattage items like a toaster or other appliances, while boon docking (no AC plug in). Cost $180, glad I got it working.
The inverter will help with longer boon-docking in remote locals while shooting AMBROTOS KANATA.
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| 2000w inverter placed behind the driver seat in the RV Fanny |
Spent a bunch of money on AMBROTOS KANATA today, feel a bit bad about it, but it needed to be done. 200 grams of Silver nitrate and 2 litres of USP Collodion purchased. I have lots of Silver Nitrate but with the $72 in FED EX shipping costs I decided to order some more. The shipping cost remained the same with no silver or with 200 grams.
Total cost $1064 CAD, at lot of money when your retired and unemployed. I hope I can sell some plates this year to offset costs somewhat.
Mixed up 2000ml of fresh Gerry Collodion Have some very old stuff which I will try to use but the new mix is more likely to work well.
Note* The collodion turned orange/red fast, no yellow stage. That is probably because the USP Collodion is older. It should still be OK to use, but likely slower. I will order more USP Collodion.
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| Cadmium Bromide is Carcinogenic, so I wear the ventilator just to be safe. |
The darkroom trailer is a wonderful working space. There is a peace here, free from distractions. I have a heater, lights , running water and cd player. Doing some glass cleaning tonight, while listening to some old films.
Hopefully I can make some Ambrotypes on Friday!
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| Using the glass carrying boxes I made last year |
17 Thrift Store book buys today. Best book is this wonderfully inspiring Claude Monet book. It was the last book of a long and tiring day (buses, 2 restaurants and 5 thrift shops, while lugging bags, a backpack and a cart). Sometimes an extra effort when your tired is rewarded!!! It will inspire me to make Ambrotypes. Got it free off points.
Working on. Freddy my wet plate trailer. Silver in, chemistry n, water in. painted counter done. Cleaning and remaining things I do not need to carry. Charging all batteries (4 lead acids).
Unlucky start! Got a flat tire, inner dually drivers side. Waiting on AMA to come and change the tire. Will need to go get the tire repaired after. Bad luck screwing up the first day. Losing 4-5 hour on this.
Update. AMA DOES NOT CHANGE DUALLY INNER TIRES. WE WILL HAVE TO GET THE ENTIRE MOTORHOME TOWED TO A TIRE SHOP IN WETASKIWIN THEN REPAIRED THERE.
Big operation towing Fanny our class C motorhome. Big tractor trailer truck plus a big tow truck and a 3/4 ton truck. 3 men, 3 large trucks. Just to take her to there repair shop 17 km away!!
They did a good job, very knowledgeable men in the field and at the Fountain Tire Shop. It took around 5 hours and cost $405 for the tire work, AMA covered the tow.
One tire (inner dually) had a 10 inch gash in the tread, tire needed replacing, the second tire (outer dually) had a leaking stem valve, repaired.
Overall the guys did a great job, thanks.
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| Fanny loaded on a semi truck trailer with b2 flat tires |
Freddy the wet plate darkroom trailer is ready for action!! Filled the tires and greased the trailer wheel bearings!! All the chemistry, w...
