How to open JOBO tanks??

[Rolleijoe]

I've made the jump to JOBO (the ATL-3 will be delivered today, the tanks/reels came 2 weeks ago). Can't wait to get everything setup and start processing the 15+ rolls that are patiently waiting. However, the tanks seem to be stuck shut, I can't pry them open for love or money. I don't want to break them, so haven't tried forcing them open. Is there a trick to these? Thanks for all the help.

 

[jimgalli]

Air pressure. Force air inside and that lid will pop right off. JOBO makes a little foot pump for this. You can also do it if you're a non smoker and have lungs used to 6000 foot elevation. Caution: If you do it with your mouth, the lid comes off with enough energy to give your face a little wake up call.

 

[Bob F.]

Manuals here: Dead Link Removed. If you have the "expert" drums, you need air as above, if the normal ones with the orange rim, just lift the rim upwards.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Chris Fraser]

Mine has a foot pump (rubber bulb) like you use to get with air mattresses. That is connected to a rubber stopper (with a hole through it) via a section of plastic tube. Stick the rubber stopper into the fill hole on the top of the drum, a couple of pumps on the foot valve and it pops off.... You can buy them from Jobo but it would be very easy to make...

 

[Clueless]

I have posted my way: a sink stopper, drill a hole in it, and an ear syringe. Air compressor use cautioned as can be overdone.

 

[L Gebhardt]

I hate using the air pump on the expert drums. Evertime the lid breaks loose it scares me half to death. I use a short section of 2x4 that I stand up on the floor and gently tap the bottom of the lid edge against. A couple of taps and then rotate and it come off fine.

For the other drums you just need to pull the orange ring up as was mentioned above.

 

[jp80874]

If you are using pyro or any dangerous chemicals I would think twice about putting my lips on the lid hole and blowing. Not long ago many explained to me that even rubber gloves were not protection enough.

John Powers

 

[Rolleijoe]

THANKS!

Thanks everybody, that did the trick. The ATL-3 just arrived, the plumbing will be done tomorrow, so hopefully Thursday I can start processing.

Rolleijoe