Bulk loading film stuck.

[Casperrobo]

Just got some 100ft of Ilford HP5, put it in my bulk loader (first time using a bulk loader ever, just a computrol loader) and the film just tears after a couple of clicks.
The bulk roll of film seems to be wedged on the main spindle in the dark chamber and so it won't spin freely to reel off the film, anyone know how to solve this or what I'm doing wrong?

I might just file down the plastic spindle

 

[Trask]

IIRC I read that these computrol units have struts molded into the inside of the round cover that covers the bulk film roll, and in some instances tightening the nut that hold the round cover on presses the struts down against the reel stopping it from turning -- hence your problem. I suggest putting the the whole device in a changing bag, loosening the nut on the round cover, and seeing if the film then moves properly; that would confirm whether this is the issue or not. Then it's up to you do either buy a different loader, or use some sort of tool to trim back the struts in your computrol loader.

I hope this helps.

 

[Xmas]

No you have mis loaded it in some way. The loader does not need alteration nor does a core or cine cam reel

You need to take it back into dark room open the trap and the film should have a clear path off the core.
Unscrew the large knob remove the case half and check the core is free to turn on pin.
Retread the film end through trap.
Replace the case half check the spool still turns by pulling out some more film.
Replace large knob, it is not a lug nut on an auto and does not need torqued down.
Check the spool turns freely as above.
Close trap turn on lights.
It is just possible to jam the core on the spindle if you used force - the loader is a force adverse toy, easy to break. Don't use levers to remove core...

You need a photo of a used core, or cine reel...

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

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Did you load the roll upside down? if you do this the film must make a 90 degree bend. This causes binding. Look at the instructions and then reload the roll.

 

[Xmas]

Did you load the roll upside down? if you do this the film must make a 90 degree bend. This causes binding. Look at the instructions and then reload the roll.

HiGerald

That is possible but would leave the emulsion side out?

 

[Gerald C Koch]

HiGerald

That is possible but would leave the emulsion side out?

I am ashamed to admit that I once did this even after loading several bulk rolls. Sometimes we are distracted when doing familiar things. One may not notice the error until loading the film in a camera. I experienced exactly what the OP did.

 

[John Koehrer]

Did you load the roll upside down? if you do this the film must make a 90 degree bend. This causes binding. Look at the instructions and then reload the roll.

Ayup, The film should feed directly into the chamber with the cartridge. It should not have a sharp bend in it.

 

[Trask]

This issue has arisen before, hence my initial response #2 above, which Xmas pretty much dismissed as not applicable. I don't have a telesar/computrol so perhaps he's right -- but the issue of reel height does seem to exist.

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

 

[Xmas]

You

This issue has arisen before, hence my initial response #2 above, which Xmas pretty much dismissed as not applicable. I don't have a telesar/computrol so perhaps he's right -- but the issue of reel height does seem to exist.

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

Well I have about a dozen watsons and comprotol loaders and use

- cores 1and 2 inch and
- camera spools Fuji and Agfa - the Fuji ones do come in Fuji and legacy badged bulk cans,

Cause I load cine from 400 or 1000 cans and need a spool rather than core otherwise the film goes sideways

Because eg I never use a torque wrench to tighten down the cover screw I've never had a problem. There is normally a tensioning spring on a comprotol... But not on a Watson.

The cine spools are to tight tolerances for running in 35mm cameras so I don't buy that it is a spool problem. I have several dozen in plastic and metal.

It is the OP first attempt it is most likely he has a mis load. It is unlikely that HP5 comes on a reel think Ilford stopped that more than a decade or so...

If his comptrol still has the tension spring he need not over tighten the screw. But I think all my spools rattle on spindle...

Edit
Just tried two Computrols one loaded with Agfa spool and the other Fuji spool. When shaken they both rattle on spindle so the reel clearance is large.
One has a plastic cassette door clip the other a metal clip so they are not all identical.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

There shouldn't be a problem loading HP5+ in a Computrol.

If the OP hasn't read the manual, here is one: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[Xmas]

The user manual neither shows the critical spring nor indicates the big knob should only be done up small finger and thumb tight and then backed off 1/8 of a turn...