Another Nikkor 4x5 Tank Question

[brimc76]

I have a Nikkor 4x5 film developing tank that has been lent to me by a friend and when I went to use it I found that one of the steel bands (which I think is to guide the film) has popped off it's weld. Is there any way of re-welding or re-attaching this band (I think it's stainless steel) or should I just use it for 5 sheets instead of 6?
Anyone else ever had this problem?

Brian

PS- I did try some epoxy but the spring in the steel was too much for the epoxy to hold

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

It's worth repairing. I'd find someone who can weld stainless steel and have it fixed. Since it's not your tank, if your friend doesn't want to repair it, then I guess you can still develop 11 sheets at a time in it.

If the reel is properly adjusted and you load it correctly (and you don't use a super-dilute developer), you can develop 12 sheets in it.

 

[brimc76]

Thanks David, I didn't realize it would do 12 sheets. It looks as if originally it was just a spot weld that held this piece down. I just don't want to mess up the reel any more than it is already, but I will check out a local welding shop.

Brian

 

[George Papantoniou]

Stainless steel has to be welded with a special kind of technique (argon, I think, but I am not an expert).

David talks about mounting two sheets in each groove, touching back to back so the two emulsion coated sides come in touch with the solution. You have to be an expert in order to load the tank this way without risk.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

No, I'm not talking about putting two sheets in each slot, which I would not recommend for the Nikor 4x5" tank. There are 12 slots.

I've posted the instruction sheet in another thread--

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Particularly important details are--

Make sure to set the height of the reel so the sheets have about 1/16" of play. Test with a scrap neg or sheet in at least 4 slots on 4 different sides before trying to load it in the dark.

Load the sheets emulsion side in, and curve the sheets along the curve of the reel as you load them and they should slide right in.

The tank uses 1200 ml of solution.