Clips for Hanging Film to Dry

TimVermont

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I'm looking for a less pricey substitute for either the Jobo sheet film clips or the Patterson 2-pin clips. Some time ago there was a posting recommending a solid looking metal clip --but I can't find it using the search function. Anyone with a better memory (or better search skills) want to lend a hand? Thanks!
 

Stephen Frizza

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technolab in italy make super ultra awesome racks and clips for 4x5.
 

PhotoJim

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If you really want to do it on the cheap, clothespins work. I use them when I'm out of proper film clips (sometimes I have frenzied film processing days where I process 15 or 20 rolls). A couple of pins at the top will suffice, but you probably want to put a few at the bottom for weight. I usually put 4 on 35mm and 6 on 120, plus the pair at the top.
 

PhotoJim

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Oh, I missed that you wanted this for sheet film. I use clothespins exclusively for sheet film. I pin one corner of the sheet only as much as is necessary to hold it securely.
 

ic-racer

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I got a bunch of hemostats off the internet for a little over $1 USD each. They are stainless steel and grab the edge of the film very strongly (as good as a pin).

Like the pin-type, they leave a mark, but the mark is very small. (1.5mm x 1.5mm) Since the basic design of a hemostat requires it to hold the blood vessel at the tip of the insturment, even the cheap hemostats (or most that I have seen) do this very well.

 
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MikeSeb

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Like you I'd like a cheaper alternative to some of the commercially available film clips; but the problem with using other types are that most--like those Bulldog clips bobwysiwig referenced--grab the film with a flat surface that makes a lot of contact, and allows water to collect and then run down your film after you've finished drying it, leaving a streak.

Film clips tend to grip just by a few tiny sharp points, so that there is no water accumulation.
 

Ian Grant

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Like the CD-1 in another thread I don't have time to sort out things now, but yesterday put a large bag of film clip/hangers 100+ away in storage.

I'll find them when I'm next in the UK, and offer them for nominal prices.

Ian
 

ntenny

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ic-racer said:
I got a bunch of hemostats off the internet for a little over $1 USD each.
Click to expand...

That's a really good idea, and a better price than I can find easily---where'd you get them?

I've been using clothespins, but in some cases it'd be nice to have clips with a smaller and more clearly defined contact area.

-NT
 

Sean McEntee

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Clothespins. Since 1972, haven't dropped a sheet yet. 4x5, 8x10, 120, 35mm, minox. Clothespins have a million and one uses in the darkroom.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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Ansel Adams trick: Take the two sides of the clothespin out of the spring and put them back in reversed, so what was the handle end becomes the pincer end. This will reduce the contact area.
 

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Jim Noel

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As the ads say, "See Your Dentist". If he has switched to digital x-ray, which many have, the old clips may still be hanging around and in the way. They are very small and have a small pin to hold the film very securely. I use them for everything up to and including 7x17.
 

bobwysiwyg

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Photo Engineer said:
I tried using them and the chrome plating curled up and split off and the clips rusted. This was some time ago, but if they have changed they would be excellent.

PE
Click to expand...

Probably have changed for the worse, if anything. Likely imported from China now. Thanks for the tip on the corrosion and pealing finish.
 

Síle

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At the risk of outing myself as a "real girl".. I use Dead Link Removed.. They're really cheap, they're tiny, you can get them made of plastic so they will last for ages and they are very easy to source. And they grip just the tiniest edge of film and photos..

Here's mine in action.. they're wooden with little coloured flowers on them..thanks to my daughter for the hand modelling!
 

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Steve_7x

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Another vote for the Kodak Dental Clips. Not sure if you can still get them trough Kodak or through a local Dental Supply company. I have had all sheet film sizes up to 12x20 negs on them - No issues and just a 1mm pimple on the corner (read as clear portion) of the film.

Steve
 

jeroldharter

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You might be referring to these which work very well. the spring is quite strong. The metal edge is rolled so it does not scratch but it will leave a tiny imprint in the unexposed margin of a 4x5 negative:

http://www.craft-inc.com/gui/gui1/p...439&QtySelected=1&value1=100&value3=.160+dia.

The cost $18.00 per 100. I also use them for paper. For 11x14 and up, I use one clip one each of the two upper corners and hang to dry. Then I put a clip on each of the two lower corners which helps prevent curling.
 

Changeling1

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Don't know what the correct name is for them but run-of-the-mill roach-clips will do in a pinch.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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For those who wonder about the attraction of my absurdly expensive Jobo sheet film clips, here's a picture. They make it possible to hang lots of film of any sheet format in little space, because the film hangs perpendicular to the drying line, they have pinprick contact area, and because the needle pierces the film, they can hold any format securely. On occasions where I've had a lot of film to process (these sheets are 2.25x3.25, but my largest are 11x14" and 7x17"), they've been worth the expense. I've got 40 of these clips (some purchased new when they weren't quite so expensive, some purchased second hand), and even when I am using all of them, I have room to hang more film with clothespins.
 

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Sean McEntee

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Changeling1 said:
Don't know what the correct name is for them but run-of-the-mill roach-clips will do in a pinch.
Click to expand...
Dude, you are so busted. They are called Alligator clips, I mean I'm told by a friend they are called alligator clips.
 
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