Gum Bichromate supplies - Brisbane

Erin · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 84 Location: Queensland

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know where to buy supplies for Gum Bichromate printmaking in Brisbane? I have googled myself silly and haven't been able to find a local supplier.

Ideally I'd like to find somewhere I could buy Potassium Bichromate/Dichromate, or Ammonium Bichromate/Dichromate on it's own.

If I couldn't get that I'd settle for a Gum Bichromate kit from a photography supplies store.

Thanks Smile

Felicity · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Queensland

Hi Erin...
I don't know if this is of any help but there is a Printmakers Studio in Brisbane called Impress and a detailed page of contacts that may be able to lead you in the right direction. Here is the link!
http://www.impress.org.au/contact.htm
Smile

Stephen

Hi
try:
http://www.bayparkphotos.com.au/CandyPress/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=100
http://www.vanbar.com.au/photochem/photochem.html

Google is very very good if you know how to use it , you can find anything....
Wink

Erin · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 84 Location: Queensland

that's strange. don't get me wrong, i'm an avid googler and have spent many hours searching for this and didn't turn up either of these sites. what search terms did you use? i'm currently using a work computer and am wondering whether there are some content settings i need to change... Confused

thanks for the sites though - just what i was trying to find Smile

Erin · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 84 Location: Queensland

also: does anyone deal with vanbar photography supplies?

I just rang their ordering and dispatch office to get some information about the gum bichromate kit and the guy was so rude! he acted like i was being completely unreasonable asking what is contained in the kit (didn't say on website). he was just like "don't know." and was completely unhelpful and even reluctant to tell me what I was potentially purchasing and how much I'd get! Evil or Very Mad

Not sure if I want to buy from them now, are they reputable?

Stephen

Hi Erin,

Dont know them, sounds like their great Rolling Eyes

What ever happened to customer service....

as for the search i just used 'Gum Bichromate kits' nothing that great, google can be a pain sometimes.
I was searching for something today and used two word to find it and nothing i then used the same words just without a space and came up first go.
This als has a bit to do with the website sites too but anyway.

I might give Vanbar a call and ask the same question as you and see how i go Laughing

Stephen

Gum Bichromate kit pwdr (1 Litre) $20

Kit contains:
ok try and get this right.
Black Charcoal powder
Amoniun Dichromate
Gelatine
Gum arabie liquid
and something else charbon something....
i couldnt talk to her i had to go...

Erin · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 84 Location: Queensland

wow thanks for doing that. that's far more information than i was given! i guess it depends who you talk to.

sounds like everything i need. you can do it cheaply buying the ammonium dichromate yourself but funnily enough chemical companies aren't too keen on dishing it out to randoms Laughing

Stephen

i have no idea what the hell that means Confused

i guess it bad it you know how to use it for evil Laughing

Next time people dont give you good customer service have a go at them, dont let them get over you and remember they need you with out you sending money they go out off business. But this is also good from both sides...
I got the Manager from a JB Hifi store Fired because he was a prick (he wanted to fight me....), the store was run like a place where everyone who got fired for bad customer service went and worked there.

anyway.. Rolling Eyes

jag2x · Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 11 Location: other

Hi Erin,
I know this post is old, but I've dealt with Vanbar before, you need to speak to the guy who deals with all their chemicals. I think he's based in Melbourne. Anyhow the chemical you need can be bought from Chemical suppliers, such as the Ammonium Dichromate. Its a orange powder.
The Gelatin you need should be 250 bloom, you can get Gelatin from a food supplier or your grocery store. Though this is a bit hard to find out the bloom of the gelatin?
No need to use Black Charcoal powder just go to a art/paint supplier and pick up some Winsor and Newton lamp black or ivory black Watercolour paint.
At the art/paint supplier you should also try to see if they have Gum Arabic or a food supplier as well, might have some?
Thats all you need..well actually a hundred more other things, but thats the basic of what you need.
Here is a website to show you the process, its an excellent site
http://www.billymabrey.com/
Good luck!
Jacek

rowanmacs · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Newcastle

As for Vanbar I brought some liquid light from them a month ago and the substance was fogged. There was no handling error at our end but there's been no word from them about a refund or exchange so I would be vary careful about dealings with them.