HOW TO TRANSFER THE FILM FROM A BROKEN NEGATIVE TO ANOTHER GLASS.
When the glass to a negative has been broken, but there is no break in the film, the film may, with a little care in handling, be transferred to another glass and made as good as new. Take a glass plate the same size as the negative and lay a small bit of beeswax on each corner, and a few bits where the break in the negative will come when laid on the whole glass. Place the broken negative, with the film side up, on the plain glass, and apply a gentle heat until the wax is melted and the two glasses are stuck firmly together. This makes a support for the broken negative, and prevents the film tearing when lifted from the glass.
For the loosening solution mix 1 oz. of water, 3 oz. alcohol, and 12 mms. of hydrofluoric acid; or ½ oz. of hydrofluoric acid, 4 oz. water, and 6 oz. of alcohol. This should be put into a rubber tray. In another tray put 2 oz. of water and 6 oz. of alcohol, and place a clean glass the size of the broken negative in the tray. Immerse the broken negative (previously attached to the whole glass) in the tray containing the acid solution, and rock it gently. In a few minutes the film will be found to have become loosened at the edges. With the ends of the fingers push the film gently from the glass, keeping it beneath the liquid while stripping it from the glass. Now take a clean glass plate, and when the film is detached from the broken negative lift it by one corner and slide the glass under the film, handling it very carefully. It will not hurt it if it should not lie perfectly smooth. As soon as the film is on the glass transfer it to the other tray, sliding it off the glass to the one in the bottom of the tray. Straighten it out under the solution, lift it from the tray, and with a small soft wad of surgeon's cotton wet in the alcohol and water, press it gently to the glass, removing all air-bubbles between the glass and the film. When it is in place and adheres smoothly to the glass, set it up in the rack to dry. It will adhere as firmly to the glass as to the original glass on which it was first coated.
It is better to take the formula for stripping solution to the dealer in photographic supplies and have it prepared, as the acid is a dangerous chemical to handle, making quite severe sores not easily healed. The weak solution will not affect the skin, but it is well to wear rubber finger-tips when handling chemicals which are at all dangerous.
Sir Knight Earle Harrison, Knoxville, Tenn., asks for a good formula for combined toning and fixing bath. The following will be found very satisfactory: Water, 10 oz.; hypo. soda, 2 oz.; sulphocyanide of ammonium, ¼ oz.; lead acetate, 30 grs.; lead nitrate, 30 grs.; gold chloride (neutral), 2 grs. Mix the ingredients in the order named, dissolving the gold in a little water, and adding the last thing after the others are well mixed. If the gold is not dissolved separately where hyposulphite of soda is used, the gold will be precipitated.
THE S. & F. LINE
NEWPORT SWELL
