Developer for x-ray film

[eyesage]

I just received a shipment of my first box of 8x10 x-ray film (Fuji HR-U) which I'm hoping to be able to use within the week if I can finish my 8x10 pinhole project. It occurs to me I haven't given much thought to what I'm going to develop it in however. My standard developer is Beutler's (mixed from raw chemicals) which is doable here though I can't see an acutance developer being ideal with pinhole work. I also have the standard ingredients for Caffenol developers (Sodium Carbonate, Ascorbic Acid, Potassium Bromide and gut-rot instant coffee. I also have a packet of D76 I could use. I'll probably be developing in large zip-lock bags as some have suggested to avoid scratches with this film. Eventually I'll probably move to developing in Pyrocat, but for now has anyone had success (or cautionary failure) using any of these developers with x-ray film?

 

[Fotoguy20d]

I've used hc-110 and scratched my negatives badly in trays. I just got tanks and hangers but haven't tried them yet.

Dan

 

[juan]

I use Pyrocat as the developer tans and hardens the emulsion. I use hangers, so the likelihood of my scratching during processing is low.
juan

 

[DannL.]

I've used Dektol (paper developer) with Kodak x-ray film. If that helps.

 

[pdeeh]

You need something with plenty of muons in it

 

[eyesage]

You need something with plenty of muons in it

Muons don't bother me. It's the pions I try to avoid.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

My preference is pyrocat-hd (10ml of each solution in 1000ml water, 21C). If you have ribbed bottom trays, then do use a ziplock bag. That's how I developed double-sided xray film until I got my hands on some flat-bottomed trays. One trick I learnt was to puff a bit of air into the bag before you zip it up. That will keep bag from settling on the surface of the film.
You can develop xray in pretty much any developer. Just find the dilution that works best for you and Bob's yer uncle. How will you be printing the negatives?