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Gralab 171 timer

Mainecoonmaniac

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I have a new gralab 171 timer. I wonder if there's a way of advancing minutes without tediously cranking the knob. Do I have to turn the knob 60x to time something for an hour? It's tedious. I remember some Graylab timers you can advance the minutes just by moving the minute hand. Do I just have the wrong model for that feature?
 

fotch

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The knob controls the second hand, the minute hand is L shaped at the tip and not controled by the knob. Instead, you just push or grab that L shape tip and rotate to the minutes you need. Unless I am misunderstanding your problem, this should work.
 
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Mainecoonmaniac

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With my model, you can advance the minute hand by turning the second knob. It advances one minute per one full turn of the knob. I advanced the minute hand, the one with the hook and it seems not to advance the minutes. I remember when I worked at a university photo lab, I could start the clock without turning the knob, and by advancing the hooked minute hand. Oh well, I think it's just that model. Thanks for the response!
 

fotch

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Unless they changed it, it just has a loose screw. Look behind the second hand knob, you should see a set screw on the minute hand, its probably loose.
 

David Brown

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I have a 171. I actually prefer it (for film processing) to a 300 because it has the water proof switches and a white face. But, in practice, it operates just like the 300. Fotch is probably correct, or you got a defective unit.
 
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Mainecoonmaniac

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Thanks! I got a defective unit Got it on Ebay. Thought I got a good deal, not so now.
 

ChristopherCoy

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I have the 171 I think... I put it up on the shelf and bought a model 450 instead. I like being able to repeat the exposure time by hitting the button instead of fumbling with the arms.

If you want it, let me know. I bought it for $25 on ebay, I'll pass it on to you for the same.
 
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Mainecoonmaniac

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Hey thanks for the generous offer. Lately, I've not had any luck with Gralab timers. I bought one that I thought was a 15 minute timer, but it was a 15 hour timer My fault, should have done my research. Right now I have two and it's too many. I'll have to put that one on eBay first.
Best,
Don
 

fotch

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Don, if I may ask, why were you looking for a 15m timer? I have a Gralab one, never used it. Just wondereing if it has more of a purpose than I know of. TY
 
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Mainecoonmaniac

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Sure. I just want a timer so I can time my paper in developer for about 2 minutes. I have a regular clock with a second hand which I use now. Sometimes I'd space out and forgot when I put the paper in the developer. fortunately, paper in developer is fairly forgiving and I use my eye also. I'd also use a 15 minute timer because that's the longest I'll wash my FB paper after HCA.
 

MTGseattle

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I realize this is a very old thread, but I didn't see any other posts with a current Gra-lab timer model number. On the recent ones (model 170 etc), does the whole face glow?