FC Manufacturing Air Dryer JRC-55

Burgy_Tog · Nov 8, 2023

Hi

I have recently acquired a Paper Dryer as per title, it is not a brand that I am familiar with I am hoping that someone could furnish me with some details & maybe a service guide? The only thing I can say is boy is it huge, certainly bigger than the Ilford RC dryers & heavy too

It is probably too large for the space that I have, but I will use it until I can find a better solution.

Xylo · Nov 8, 2023

I think I have a 4x5 bakelite tank by that company.

Back in the 60's and 70's there were a lot of smaller companies making really good darkroom equipment.

Burgy_Tog · Dec 8, 2023

Well I have stripped it down and given it a good service, re-lubed the bearings, checked. the electrics, in the end I decided the colour scheme was too 1970s (even though it was made in 1980) so I had it stripped & powder coated & lacquered. I am quite pleased with the end result, replaced all of the steel fixings with stainless, but I still want an Ilford print dryer so this one will be sold.

Neal · Dec 8, 2023

Nice!

ic-racer · Dec 8, 2023

Wow, great work!

Is this for both fiber base and RC?

Burgy_Tog · Mar 4, 2024

Not tried it with Fiber, but it is now for sale as I have found an ilfolab 1250RC

mshchem · Mar 4, 2024

This looks to be RC only.

svenw · Sep 5, 2024

I work at a college and we have the same dryer. Our is broken and overheats and smokes whenever we use it. Do you have a service manual or any pointers on how to fix one of these?

Burgy_Tog · Sep 5, 2024

I was unable to find anything on line (or otherwise) however I would recommend giving it a strip down, (quite a simple job) and a clean out inside, there is likely an accumulation of dust & crud & dried out grease. Remove the outer panels, disconnect the heater, clean out the fan. decrease the interior & reassemble. Fire it up and see if it continues to smoke

svenw · Sep 6, 2024

Burgy_Tog said:
I was unable to find anything on line (or otherwise) however I would recommend giving it a strip down, (quite a simple job) and a clean out inside, there is likely an accumulation of dust & crud & dried out grease. Remove the outer panels, disconnect the heater, clean out the fan. decrease the interior & reassemble. Fire it up and see if it continues to smoke

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That's really helpful, I appreciate your photos. Its a great reference for us. I noticed the bearings on two of the rollers have gunked up pretty bad and I dare say there is plenty of dust on the inside. I'll let you know if we can finally dry our prints or if I cause an evacuation

FC Manufacturing Air Dryer JRC-55

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