Nervous about funneling my fresh Xtol into bags... the manipulation part

[IMoL]

If you're looking for cheaper Propylene Glycol, try looking at stores that supply the "vaping" industry, as PG is one of the main ingredients in e-cigarette liquids.

I found this right away, and there are probably a ton more. 30CAD/litre, or 90CAD/gallon: https://www.fusionflavours.ca/products/propylene-glycol-usp?variant=720863409

Even that one seems a bit expensive (I pay about 15-16CAD per litre here in Sweden)

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Even Polyethylene Glycol (aka PEG)?

$40 for a litre, including shipping.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I'll stick with distilled water

 

[bluechromis]

Why not fill the bottles with cooking oil? Just an idea

If you mean using cooking oil in the same manner as glycol and TEA as the solvent for the developer, I am not sure that would work. In the first place, the ingredients would have to dissolve in the oil. But also, when making the working mix glycol and TEA readily mix into the water. Wouldn't the oil with the chems separate from water and float to the top?

 

[Duceman]

One and two litre glass "growler" bottles with good caps are good too - the finger grips make them much safer to use in the darkroom.

I'll second this. Also, these dark glass kombucha bottles work well. 1/2 liter filled to the brim.

 

[Sonynolta User]

I use the amazon wine bags, a paint gun holder from Harbor Freight to hold the funnel, and a long 'oil filler' funnel from Walmart or similar place.

 

[jay moussy]

Update; all went well, starting with making the Eco Pro stock (I have limited experience with this, being a Caffenol/Rodinal junior practitioner)

One minor note: I filled each StopLoss bag with as much as bag could take... which left me with the last one being half-full!.
Panic... did I goof measuring my water..?
No, it just looks like the bag can take more than the nominal 1 liter, so the proper way was/is to measure an approximate liter per bag.

Incidentally, it seems like the mass dev chart for Xtol (Eco Pro) show typical dilution rates, but also wild ones like 1:50. What's up with that?

 

[pentaxuser]

Incidentally, it seems like the mass dev chart for Xtol (Eco Pro) show typical dilution rates, but also wild ones like 1:50. What's up with that?

Which films are shown with a 1:50? I just checked HP5+ and Foma 100 and all I can see is the "normal " dilutions of 1+1;1=2 and 1+3.

What kind of development times are shown and is there any note to accompany those times?

pentaxuser

 

[jay moussy]

Which films are shown with a 1:50? I just checked HP5+ and Foma 100 and all I can see is the "normal " dilutions of 1+1;1=2 and 1+3.

What kind of development times are shown and is there any note to accompany those times?

pentaxuser

Sorry, it must have been my late night reading the charts sideways, there is no such thing! Apparently, few values, like 1+4, for "exotic" EVs well outside from box speed.

 

[pentaxuser]

OK Glad we cleared the 1:50 up

pentaxuser

 

[Trask]

I'll second this. Also, these dark glass kombucha bottles work well. 1/2 liter filled to the brim.

Ha! I've got a bunch of these same Health-Ade bottles, and I agree they work very well for storing developers.

 

[Tim Stapp]

Good Grief! Do like I do: Buy a five liter box of wine. Drink until empty, remove dispensing valve from bag with a butter knife. Rinse under the kitchen faucet two or three times. Put the bag back into the box.

Using a funnel and a ladle, just pour the xtol or equivalent into the bag. When full, squeeze the air out.

Best part? You enjoyed the wine and your developer is not exposed to air.

It's worked for a few years.

EDIT: Make sure to paint or otherwise identify that the wine box is not edible. You don't want your grandkids getting into it

 

[Helge]

I’ve had no I’ll effects by spraying butane/lighter gas into my bottles.

Don’t have open flames or sparks right next to the bottle opening though. But then, why would you?
Screw the cap on tight and there is absolutely no danger.

 

[pentaxuser]

Good Grief! Do like I do: Buy a five liter box of wine. Drink until empty, remove dispensing valve from bag with a butter knife. Rinse under the kitchen faucet two or three times. Put the bag back into the box.

Using a funnel and a ladle, just pour the xtol or equivalent into the bag. When full, squeeze the air out.

Best part? You enjoyed the wine and your developer is not exposed to air.

It's worked for a few years.

EDIT: Make sure to paint or otherwise identify that the wine box is not edible. You don't want your grandkids getting into it

Well it was certainly my habit to do as you did with 3 L boxes of wine- I have never seen 5L boxes but in the U.K. at least wine boxes have changed unfortunately

Nearly all are 2. 25L boxes now and the dispensers now seem to be fixed. They cannot be prised open as was once the case

Just a warning to those in the U.K. who may be wanting to do this. A great pity but I assume that the 5L bags and boxes that are still available from home-brew shops are re-usable

pentaxuser