Ilford Dryer Rescue

Someone on Ebay trying to get rid of "Junk" 25 bucks AS IS plus 14 dollars shipping .Ilford 5250 print dryer.. IT looked to be in nice shape. I figured it would go in my parts reserve. The guy put it in a box absolutely no padding of any kind. Weighs 50 lbs.
Came smashed.

I figured it was junk, took it apart. Had to do major bodywork. Cleaned and fixed a couple minor faults inside. Fans had come loose, end caps needed reglueing. Now it works perfectly. These things are built like a tank on the inside. I have another somewhat newer model. Gives the most amazing gloss, literally slightly melts the gelatin so it flows out. Feels good to save something so amazing from the scrap yard. Even if it's somewhat wrinkled and dented. Proudly Made in England.

I got one of these in a lot of darkroom equipment. The foam rollers were dust. Cleaned it up and used some door sealing foam to redo the rollers. It’s a great machine, spits out a perfectly dried RC print in a minute or two, no dry down questions. I found this especially useful when making RA4 prints so I can judge color and density quickly.

btaylor said:

I got one of these in a lot of darkroom equipment. The foam rollers were dust. Cleaned it up and used some door sealing foam to redo the rollers. It’s a great machine, spits out a perfectly dried RC print in a minute or two, no dry down questions. I found this especially useful when making RA4 prints so I can judge color and density quickly.

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I've been lucky on rollers. I think maybe these have been replaced at some point. For color work these are indispensable. Makes for fast work.