Missing spindle on Western 100 film loader

[hoffy]

Howdy,

I picked up a Western 100 (is it the same as a Watson 100?) film loader at a swap meet today ($2, couldn't refuse), but it appears that the spindle for the film compartment is not there.

Considering it will be used for loading Ilford product mainly, do I need the spindle?

Cheers

 

[Mike Wilde]

In the Watson loaders I have used the spindle is what I might call the central shaft that the bulk film reel is loaded onto. It usually is what is used to secure both halves of the light lock. So if that is the component you are missing, there may be problems with the bulk reel unloading smoothly without bumping around in its chamber.

The term spindle could also be used to describe the little roller with the cam that the film flows over on is way into the cassette, whose cam causes the frame counter to advance. If that is the component you are missing then there is the chance of scratching the emulsion, as I beleive that one of its purposes is to pull the film though the open light lock without the emulsion side being dragged against the edge of the gate.

 

[hoffy]

Its the spindle that is in the main compartment.

 

[John Koehrer]

I believe Mike is correct. There are no loose parts in the film chamber. If you have seen one of these with a spindle in it, most likely it was the center spool from a roll of film.
I haven't bulk loaded for years but Kodak had a spool in the center.

 

[Mike Wilde]

Aha - the little thing that sometimes has a 'square' hole, and a slot cut in it to hold the original film tab to allow the bulk roll to be wound onto the 'spindle'.

There are some vendors bulk offerings (I can't recall if it was fuji, agaf, or really old kodak) that come on an honest spool, with side flanges and all. Getting the film though the slot into the cassette chanber is a real challenge in those circumstances.

 

[hoffy]

Thanks guys. The unit still has the 1/4 shaft that goes through the middle that the cover/light trap screw screws into. And yes, I did see a picture on the net where there was a spindle on this shaft.

I am now very happy with my buy!