Metal tank lid stuck

[Kvistgaard]

Hi all,

The lid on my Hansa metal development tank is stuck and simply refuses to come off.

I've tried to heat the lid in very hot water, hoping it would expand just that tiny bit that would have it slip off the tank, but had no luck. Cooling the lower part did not help either.

I've also tried wrangling the two parts from each other by brute force. I also tried the opposite - trying to pull them apart with as little force as possible.

Any suggestions what to do?

Thanks!

 

[glbeas]

I've had to tap the lid off with a knife or scraper against the lower edge of the lid. It takes gentle taps opposite side alternating so it doesn't jam worse.

 

[Whiteymorange]

If there is not currently any film in the can, you might consider a drop or two of penetrating oil around the edge. I had to do this once and then get a strap wrench to apply enough force to twist the thing off. A wipe down with naptha finished the job, but that particular tank also got a swipe with 600 sandpaper and a quick coat of wax after the incident. No problems since then.

If film's in the can, Gary's remedy is all I can see working.

 

[df cardwell]

twisting a coin between the bottom of the lid and the flange of the tank

 

[Kvistgaard]

Hi all - thanks for the good advice. Gary's tip did the job. I think I'll give the tank a sanding and a wax coating to avoid this happening again. Luckily, there was no film in the tank this time!

 

[eli griggs]

I suggest you keep a kitchen jar opener in the dark room and in easy reach while developing. The type I use is pictured here and has saved my film several times when a tank top refused to budge. http://flickr.com/photos/54724843@N00/2481573507/

 

[df cardwell]

You might replace the tank with a Kinderman... with a plastic lid !

(The lids only last 15 years of hard use, so get an extra.)

 

[David Brown]

... then get a strap wrench ...

I keep a strap wrench in the darkroom as a standard tool. Rarely needed, but when it is ...

PS: Before anybody asks: http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/s6h.html

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I do what DF does but with a church key bottle opener. I've an omega simmons tank, it's excellent. The inside of the lid is pitted but is still functional. It is starting to leak slightly but it's not bad. I just wrap a towel around it and go from there.

 

[Ayo]

A wipe down with naptha finished the job, but that particular tank also got a swipe with 600 sandpaper and a quick coat of wax after the incident. No problems since then.

It's been quite old post. But I faced same problem and try to prevent for the next time. Curious what Whiteymorange mentioned here. What kind of wax is good to use? Thanks.

 

[mshchem]

It's been quite old post. But I faced same problem and try to prevent for the next time. Curious what Whiteymorange mentioned here. What kind of wax is good to use? Thanks.

Try some lip balm. We have a product called Chapstick, looks like a lipstick. just a good paste wax should work too. It is amazing what a bit of lubrication will do.
Mike

 

[Ayo]

Try some lip balm. We have a product called Chapstick, looks like a lipstick. just a good paste wax should work too. It is amazing what a bit of lubrication will do.
Mike

Aha, it worked with my olive stick. Thanks!

 

[Gerald C Koch]

You might replace the tank with a Kinderman... with a plastic lid !

(The lids only last 15 years of hard use, so get an extra.)

You can get plastic lids to fit the standard SS tanks separately. No need to buy a whole Kinderman system just to get the lid. My experience is that chemicals left on the cap or lid cause it to stick. Wash the tank, lid, cap and reels well after each use.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I keep a strap wrench in the darkroom as a standard tool. Rarely needed, but when it is ...

PS: Before anybody asks: http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/s6h.html

Or a heavy rubber band if you do not have a wrench strap, but a wrench strap is much much better.

 

[darkroommike]

I use vinyl electrical tape on both the tank and a winding around the lid. It also upgrades my grip on the tank (my hands are old and arthritic and yes, before someone else says it, I AM losing my grip).