"Richard Knoppow" wrote in message
m...

"Lew" wrote in message
...
Are these the same? I'm looking for the 3 grams specified for the
Microphen substitute in Darkroom CB.
A few years ago someone contacted the United States Borax Co, the maker
of 20 Mule Team Borax. It is chemically pure, at least enough for
photographic purposes and is granulated. It should work in any photo
formula calling for Borax. Red Devil Lye is another "grocery store"
product (although I haven't seen it recently) that is pure enough for
photo use where sodium hydroxide is called for. One can make the
equivalent of Kodalk (sodium metaborate) by combining the hydroxide and
Borax in solution in the right proportions.

as per lye -
http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/co...lyesources.htm