All hail the beseler rotary base!

mattk · Mar 27, 2008

Well, after hand rolling a Jobo expert 3010 drum for my 4x5 I finally had enough and bid on a rotary base. What was I thinking? I can remember my wife asking me if there was an easier way as I rolled that massive black drum along her kitchen counter. If you do not have a rotary base and use Jobo's, please--in the name of all that is Holy get one. To top it off I am finishing Gene's video on Bromoil and my ink and bleach came today, kid in a candy store!

Venchka · Mar 28, 2008

Listen to your wife. I found a Uniroller in a local shop for $20. The free darkroom I picked up a few weeks ago included a Beseler motor base and several of the Beseler print cylinders. Either motorized roller base works GREAT! with a Jobo 3010. No, you don't have to modify the Uniroller to only turn one way. The reversing motor works just fine for 8 sheets of 4x5 film in 1 liter of D-76 diluted 1:1. YMMV

JeffD · May 8, 2008

I have a Beseler base, and wish I could slow the revolution speed. I looked around online for an inexpensive motor base that had an adjustable speed, and could find little.

Someone told me that it may be possible to install a variable resistor of some sort "inline", I'm assuming between the outlet, and the device.

Any one have any knowledge about doing this?

Nick Zentena · May 8, 2008

Jeff I think if you check the places that sell tools they might have something that could work.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43060

Maybe something like that?

Matt I have one thing to say. Gralab 300.

Frank Szabo · May 8, 2008

JeffD said:
I have a Beseler base, and wish I could slow the revolution speed. I looked around online for an inexpensive motor base that had an adjustable speed, and could find little.

Someone told me that it may be possible to install a variable resistor of some sort "inline", I'm assuming between the outlet, and the device.

Any one have any knowledge about doing this?

Not a variable resistor but an autotransformer - you deal with AC by cutting the voltage (a caveat, max 15% decrease or increase from the base motor's rated voltage to avoid a motor overheat). You can usually pick up one that works on FleaBay for about $20.

Using a resistor as a speed control generates a bunch of heat and eventually, all the magic smoke will escape from your base/voltage limiter arrangment and it won't work anymore.

freygr · May 8, 2008

Neither a autotransformer or a SCR type speed control will work well with the type of motor in the motorized base because there inductive squirrel cage motors.

Stevopedia · May 8, 2008

JeffD said:
I have a Beseler base, and wish I could slow the revolution speed. I looked around online for an inexpensive motor base that had an adjustable speed, and could find little.

Someone told me that it may be possible to install a variable resistor of some sort "inline", I'm assuming between the outlet, and the device.

Any one have any knowledge about doing this?

"Inline" would mean between the motor's power source and the motor itself. The variable resistor works by changing the motor's working voltage, and a normal DC motor's speed is directly proportional to the voltage it gets. (Torque, by the way, is directly proportional to amperage.)

Also, it should be noted that this will only work for normal DC motors; AC motors rotate at a rate proportional to the AC mains frequency and brushless DC motors are controlled by circuitry inside the motor.

Vaughn · May 8, 2008

Somehow make the drum have a larger diameter? Perhaps by wrapping it with thick rubber or closed cell foam (backpacking sleeping pad) -- it will help to maintain temp, also.

Vaughn

PS...I felt the same way after a couple decades of developing 4x5, 5x7 and then 8x10 film in trays -- getting the 3005 Expert Drum was wonderful!

ricksplace · May 8, 2008

I recently picked up a Simmaroller. Same beast as a Unicolor, but the drive rollers are on an eccentric, so the tube gently rocks back and forth as it turns. Brilliant and simple idea.

All hail the beseler rotary base!

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency