Reel movement in plastic Paterson-style tanks

[Mrtrik71]

Rubber washes come in all sizes they roll down tightly to the bottom reel or wherever u want them,they don't budge a single mm ,try it.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

That thread you replied to is six years old now, but anyway, welcome to APUG from Melbourne.

 

[R.Gould]

Thanks for the replies. I am using a 2-reel tank that fits 2 135 reels or 1 120 reel. This problem only occurs with 120 film, but that is only because the area left underdeveloped is the rebate/sprocket holes in the case of 35mm film. The bottom of the tank says 650mL for 2x135 or 590mL for 1x120. I have always used 650mL of solution regardless of what I am developing. Using the second reel as a spacer is not possible with 120 film and my tank did not come with a spring or any other kind of spacer. Should I just chalk it up to a cheap tank?

ninja'd. I'll try the rubber band trick, thanks!

Are you sure it is a Patterson super system 4 tank? I have 4 of the unirvasal patterson tanks and mine all state 500ml for 120/220 films, 290 for 1 35mm which would be 520 for 2, Knowing that it is possible for the 120 reel to slide up slightly I always allow 600ml of dev for 120, it is rare for the reel to slide up, but it has happened if my inversion has been a bit to vigoures, but 99% of the time it never happens, and I have never bought a paterson tank with a locking collor, at least not the super systen 4, always with the old system 4,
Richard

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Many hardware stores, at least here in the US, sell a variety O-rings. Get one that fits a bit snuggly on the center post. It has the advantage that it won't dry out and crack and the rubber used for them is inert. A scrap piece of PVC pipe cut to length will also work. Choose a diameter just bigger than the center post.

 

[Pat Erson]

I am a bit surprised that it happens, are you sure that the reels are made by Patterson? There are reels around made by other manufactures that perhaps are less thight than the Patterson reels.
Cor

Yes the cheaply made AP reels will slip very easily.

 

[M Carter]

I had this EXACT THING HAPPEN TO ME. IR film - I was like "does my camera have some weird leak? Why is the roll half developed on one side?" HAd it happen when testing, so the reel wasn't full, just a foot or so of film.

And I don't "invert" - I use Rodinal and do more of a "wine glass swirl" for 5 seconds. But anyway, I cut a piece of 3/4 PVC to hold the reel down (the lid closes and locks it in place) and also made a shorter one for 120, marked them both with sharpies. Problem solved.