Thanks and results
Well it has taken a long time, obviously, to finally use this set up. I successfully developed my first b&w 16x20 last evening, and it went as outlined with only one signficant lesson learned.
First, the amount of chem needed is about 300 mL, and one print exhausts my 200:1 stop solution fresh mixed. I can't test the developer, but I mixed it 1:1 from stock, too, so I figured that 150 mL and toss is affodable. I am using Dektol on Ilford paper, and before you wince be assured I am happy with the results. I used the hypo check on the fix, and it stayed clear but I will check each time.
Second, the pouring is through the end with the cup, and the draining is through the opposite end. It takes a minimum of care to tip the solution slowly onto the machine to avoid sloshing out. I didn't the first time, and learned fast.
The main lesson learned is that the machine must be absolutely level when running! This might seem obvious, and it even occurred to me at one point in devising the set-up, but I forgot that detail when I was in the thick of measuring, pouring etc and when the machine ran for a minute the whole tube walked toward one end, and almost tipped everything onto the floor.
Other than that, it worked perfectly. It had the advantage of forcing me to take great care with my test strips etc in setting up the exposure, as I didn't want to have to walk the tube up and down the stairs between dry darkroom and basement bathroom more times than necessary. For the record, my dry darkroom has a small table for 5x7 trays so I can inspect the test strips without a lot of travel. I don't think I have ever been quite so careful with test strips, and I never had the first full print come off quite so close to ideal...there is something to be said for doing things the hard way at times.
