How to use Beseler Motor base?

[DavePEI]

Does anyone know of an online resource where you can download instructions on using a Beseler Motor base and drums?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180176891618

Dave

 

[Konical]

Good Evening, Dave,

1-Plug in motor base.
2-Turn on motor base.
3-If the model you have gives a choice between single direction and automatic reversal, select your preference.
4-Place loaded drum on the base
5-If the base rotates in only one direction, reverse the drum from time to time, say every thirty seconds or one minute, (probably unnecessary but doesn't hurt anything).
6-If you use the drum for film processing, try the film manufacturer's suggested time for "continuous agitation" as a starting point.

Konical

 

[DavePEI]

Hi Konical:

That much I pretty well knew, but are there recommended amounts of developer, etc. to be used in the various size drums? I am not certain of the size of drum with the motor base, but I do know there are various sizes available....

The drum size will become clearer when it arrives, and I may be looking for other drums after, but now just wanted to get an idea of the correct procedure for using it. It will be nice not having to get my hands into the chemicals so much...

Dave

 

[MattKing]

Dave:

It seems your question is more about the tubes than the base. The problem is that different tubes require different answers. The volume needed depends on the size of the tubes, and their mechanism for accepting chemistry and draining it.

When I started using the tubes, I was amazed how hard it was to get answer to just this question.

It is probably best to identify the tube you will be using, and then ask about that tube.

FWIW, I use Cibachrome Mark II Colour Processing drums for 8x10, and find 120 millilitres to be a convenient quantity that is probably more than necessary.

Matt

 

[DavePEI]

Well, yes. I was hoping originally to find a source for the manual which would have come with the base, in the hope that it might include instruction for the various tubes by Beseler.

The auction photo doesn't clear up what size the tube is as I have never seen the motor base in the flesh before so can't make a comparison comparing it to the tube shown to figure out its size. However, it appears to by for 8x10 if I am thinking correctly.

I just noticed the Beseler model for the base is 8921, so by Googling that number I may be able to find out something, But it win't tell me what tube is with it.

By the way, for those who might have been following my setting up of the darkroom, I have it under way now. I have the sink and wet counter installed and drains roughed in. I am building the room backwards... i.e. Sink and wet counter first - then the walls! The main reason is I need to know the dimensions of everything that is going into it, then I can build it to the minimum required size. However, it is well under way and soon no more trying to use the small bathroom in the house and having to move the equipment around...

Glad to have it started and it will be great when everything has a permanent home.

Dave

 

[dmax]

Dave,
If the Beseler processing drum is more or less the size of a Unicolor 8x10 drum, then the recommended volume of chemistry is 120ml. This is what Unicolor advises with its 8x10 drum. This assumes that you have the roller processor on a level surface. It helps a lot to have a bubble level handy when using these roller processors.

 

[DavePEI]

Thanks all:

It will be a bit of a learning curve, as I have never used anything but trays and regular developing tanks, but the idea of drum processing sounds great!

<G> I will miss getting my fingers into the developer and fixer

Thanks all!

 

[Whiteymorange]

I use a Beseler drum like the one in that ebay ad and find it quite convenient to do 320 ml of liquid (easy to mix HC110 b in that amount with the measures I have available.) It may be overkill, but it works great. The box that the drum came in (all I have of the original materials) says that 2 oz of liquid is all that is needed for processing color paper.

 

[DavePEI]

Sounds like I will save in developer, etc. over using the trays. It will be interesting when it arrives and the first time I use it. I am a little bit stuck in the time warp, as it was back in the early 70's when I last did much of my own processing. To me the idea of using a drum was quite foreign, but it sounds as though I will like it. I saw the auction yesterday - it was on for a much higher price first, then the seller relisted it for under $10, so decided I would buy the items he was offering.

 

[Whiteymorange]

I think the drum I have was originally for 11x14 paper. I can fit 2 sheets of 8x10 in at one time. I looks larger (in relation to the motor) than the one in the ebay ad. I also have an 8x10 Unicolor drum and the Beseler is definitely larger.

 

[DavePEI]

Hmmm... Wonder if anyone has a copy of the Beseler instruction sheet for their Color Print Processing Drums that comes with a new drum which they might be able to scan for me in Jpeg or PDF and send to dhunter@isn.net? It would be much appreciated!

Dave

 

[MattKing]

Here is a p***net thread about solution quantities for developing sheet film in the Beseler 8x10 tube:

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0039ML

I think the observations therein are probably at least helpful.

Matt

 

[Lee L]

Just to save anyone digging and scanning, my circa 1980 instructions for motor base, drums, and Beseler 2 Step (ancient history) chemistry quantities were where I expected them to be, so .pdfs are sent to Dave.

Lee

 

[DavePEI]

As Lee mentioned above, he scanned and sent me the needed docs. They arrived in my mailbox a few minutes ago.

Thanks, Lee!

 

[DavePEI]

Drum and Motor Base Received - Surplus and Unidentified Items!

Hi All:

My Beseler drum and motor base has been received. In answer to a note above, it was received with all of the paper guides, etc. Thank you all for your information on these, especially Lee, who scanned the docs for me.

Now, as I bought this in a lot, I do have some items which I will be offering to the list, but I would like to know what two items are:

1) At the left of the attached thumbnail is an item I think is some type of diffuser, probably an enlarger accessory. It is labelled 35 mm. It is lined with a foam type material and the bottom contains a ground glass diffuser.

2) the small drum on the lower right I am curious about... It is 2 1/2" in diameter, and 6" long. It contains three small plastic measuring cups, and one end contains a built in cup which can be filled from the outside. I am assuming it is also some type of developing drum... Anyone recognize it? Depending on what it is, I might be keeping it. This little drum has been identified. It is a 4x5 Cibachrome drum from their early intoductory kit!

There are also several items I will be offering to the list. I will place an ad in the For Sale area, but will be selling them on a "make it worthwhile to me to pack and ship them basis" plus actual shipping cost.

They include:

A) The odd diffuser item mentioned above

B) A brand new shrinkwrapped, in the package Negative Carrier for a Beseler 67C enlarger #6746 designed to hold a 2" slide

C) A Watson 100 - 35 mm bulk film loader, used but appears to be in greaty shape

D) A Yankee Standard Developing tank and two reels (I have a number of other tanks I may eventually let go). This tank has two adjustable reels, is clean and in good shape.

I could hang onto these, but really don't need them, so someone else who can put them to use is better off having them.

So, if anyone recognizes the "mystery items" or would like any of the surplus items, please contact me.

To see a larger image than the thumbnail here, go to:

http://www.islandregister.com/phones/new/surplus.jpg

Dave

 

[Lee L]

Dave,

At the upper left is a mixing chamber for an enlarger, very likely for a color head for a medium format enlarger, but I don't recognize the make/model. It should have an entry point for light to enter on the face that's down against the table.

The small drum looks like a Ciba model, which I recall fitting the description you give. They made smaller sizes for small or test prints. The extra cups were for holding the small amounts of chemicals in sequence ready for use in the drum.

Glad that the paper guides came with the Beseler drum. Have fun.

Lee

 

[DavePEI]

Hi Lee:

Somewhat what I was thinking on the mixing chamber. Yes, it does have a roughly 35 mm size opening on the other side. Anyone who recognizes the make/model and wants it, let me know...

Yes, I am told it was a 4x5 drum from the Cibachrome introductory kit.. Almost seemed too small to be a drum, but was pretty sure that was what it was.

And yes, I was glad the glides and print separator came with the large Beseler drum. Unfortunately, they weren't mentioned in the auction, so I really couldn't be sure. Now, what I am wondering but haven't yet tried, is will the drum hold its contents without leaking. The cap comes off quite easily, so I will have to try it with some water in it to make sure. Otherwise, there are no cracks or defects. The motor base works great - nice, since they were the two items in the lot I wanted

Thanks,

Dave

 

[MattKing]

Dave:

The mixing chamber may very well be the 35mm mixing chamber for a Beseler Dichroic Colour Head for the 67C enlarger. I can't really see it well enough in your photo to be sure.

Matt