I want to build a negative dryer...

[mjs1973]

Here is my plan... My negative dryer is going to consist of a piece of PVC pipe, and a hair dryer. I will put the negative in one end of the PVC pipe, still on the real. The warm air from the dryer will come in from the other end of the pipe. I will make it so the air will have to travel a few feet to keep it from getting too hot and melting my negatives. I want to filter the warm air some how so that I'm not blowing dust onto my negatives. Any suggestions? I thought about inserting some cloth into the pipe, between the dryer and the negatives but I'm not sure what to use. Any suggestions? It has to be something that will let the air thru, and stop the dust. I could use cheese cloth or an old cotton towel or tee shirt, but I'm affraid the dryer would blow lint and fibers off of the cloth. What are your opinions and suggestions? My other option would be to filter the air before it goes into the dryer, but I have no idea how I would do that....

Let me know what you think.
Michael

[another view]

I've heard of people using a piece cut from a furnace filter to get rid of dust before it gets into the area where the negs are, but the one's I've seen are basically a box with a lightbulb (for heat) and a couple of filters - low and high to create a chimney effect. I leave mine hanging in the shower overnight and they've been fine - without any air moving across them. Having a fan could lead to dust problems eventually, even with a filter I'd think.

[mjs1973]

I've heard of people using a piece cut from a furnace filter to get rid of dust before it gets into the area where the negs are, but the one's I've seen are basically a box with a lightbulb (for heat) and a couple of filters - low and high to create a chimney effect. I leave mine hanging in the shower overnight and they've been fine - without any air moving across them. Having a fan could lead to dust problems eventually, even with a filter I'd think.

Thanks for the info! Chunk mentioned that he did the same thing and he didn't have to worry about the dust because of the moister in the bathroom.

[Gerry Widen]

I don't like the idea of leaving the film on the reel. I think it best no matter what method of drying to use some kind of of either photo flo solution or distilled water and take the excess off. I just use photoflo and my fingers.Some people use sponges. Haven't had a problem with either streaking or scratching negatives.

If you just leave the film to dry hanging it should do so in about 3 or 4 hours depending on temperature and humidity. The less disturbance the better and drying in a humid area like a bathroom is a good idea because the humidity keeps the dust down. I've keep film hanging for days as once the film drys the emulsion hardens and dust won't stick and can easily be taken off before scanning or enlarging. When the emulsion is wet it is soft and dust can embed itself.