Information needed on an old bakelite processing tank

1. how does one close it to agitate without spilling? Maybe I am missing a part;
2. how does one load the film in it? The sides of the spiral don't seem to twist to help loading, like in the Paterson system;
3. why is the spiral's radius longer than the Paterson's? Is it meant to load more length of film than a 36 exposure roll's length?
4. would I be able to use modern BW and Color chemicals in this tank without issues?

fabulousrice said:

I got this bakelite tank yesterday for pretty cheap.

Images here.

I have a few questions about it but when I googled what is written on it I can't really find a resource page about it:

1. how does one close it to agitate without spilling? Maybe I am missing a part;
2. how does one load the film in it? The sides of the spiral don't seem to twist to help loading, like in the Paterson system;
3. why is the spiral's radius longer than the Paterson's? Is it meant to load more length of film than a 36 exposure roll's length?
4. would I be able to use modern BW and Color chemicals in this tank without issues?

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BAC1967 said:

I have a similar one that has an adjustable Reel, 35mm to 70mm. You’re missing the swizzle stick that went down the center, that’s how you agitated it. It won’t seal, tipping it will leak. I never figured out a good way to get film on the reel, it‘s a major struggle.

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guangong said:

If memory serves me correctly, when I was a little kid my FR tank had a corrugated piece of celluloid that the film was wrapped in. The crinkled edges allowed developer, etc to flow. Leitz sold developing tanks using same principle. Eventually the celluloid became brittle and fell into pieces, making tank useless. My FR tank was from mid 1940s so perhaps not same model.

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