Making a 4x5 "expert" style tank

bspeed

Member

Joined

Dec 31, 2008

Messages

61

Format

35mm

• Oct 1, 2010

• #1

I am forever waiting on a Jobo setup....

After looking at the expert drums online, here is my thoughts:

get (find my old) tall patterson tank.

install as many round pvc tubes that will fit in the tank.
tubes I figure to cut some slots/drill holes for the chemistry to move about.

thoughts ?

the more I think about this, it seems a really good way to go and save a LOT of money!

 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber

Joined

Jan 18, 2007

Messages

50,469

Location

Southern California

Format

Multi Format

• Oct 1, 2010

• #2

Try getting in touch with Dave Smith of Electromechanical Services in LA, CA. He is a trained Jobo repair person and has some parts in stock. I have gotten Jobo parts from him. He and his wife are really great people, but they do not answer the telephone so call and leave a message at 1-323-227-1869 OR him email at joboman@aol.com.

I was able to get a new Jobo 3010 Expert Tank for 4x5s from FreeStyle last month.

Steve

 

ic-racer

Member

Joined

Feb 25, 2007

Messages

16,618

Location

USA

Format

Multi Format

• Oct 1, 2010

• #3

Search for "taco."
It may be a little easier than what you are suggesting and there will be support from a number of people that use that method in a daylight film or paper drum.

 

OP

OP

bspeed

Member

Joined

Dec 31, 2008

Messages

61

Format

35mm

• Oct 4, 2010

• #4

thanks kindly

 

MaximusM3

Member

Joined

Jul 11, 2010

Messages

754

Location

NY

Format

35mm RF

• Oct 4, 2010

• #5

I got this on ebay from Morgan (mod photographic). Works like a charm in a five reels Paterson tank. Takes a couple of practice runs to load the sheets in the dark but otherwise it is a breeze to process six sheets.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130424649200#ht_2776wt_1141

 

Ken Nadvornick

Member

Joined

Mar 18, 2005

Messages

4,942

Location

Monroe, WA, USA

Format

Multi Format

• Oct 4, 2010

• #6

bspeed said:

get (find my old) tall patterson tank.

install as many round pvc tubes that will fit in the tank.
tubes I figure to cut some slots/drill holes for the chemistry to move about.

thoughts ?

Click to expand...

I started down exactly the path you describe above. I finally ended up (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

Eventually I threw in the towel and purchased a pristine Nikor 4x5 tank on the evil auction site. Then I went 8x10 and put together a nice used four-tank, water-jacketed Arkay hanger processing line and picked up half a dozen 4-up 4x5 hangers.

But processing quality-wise those little plastic 4x5 taco cages were easily the equal of them all.

Ken

 

Jim Noel

Member

Joined

Mar 6, 2005

Messages

2,261

Format

Large Format

• Oct 4, 2010

• #7

The inner tubes of an Expert tank are not cylinders, they ae barrel shaped.