Should this developing tank have a spindle?

[Agulliver]

I've been given some darkroom equipment including a developing thank and reels, but I feel this should have a black spindle? Can anyone confirm? There's no branding on the tank, it simply says "Made in EEC" on the bottom likely dating it to earlier than the 90s.

 

[John Bragg]

Looks like a Jessop tank. They had blue lids. I had one for a while and iirc they took Paterson reels. I used inversion but I believe it was dual purpose and came with the required "Twizzle Stick".

 

[Agulliver]

Will it be light tight as is? I'm more familiar with the Jobo which has a spindle for the reels that goes all the way up from the bottom of the tank to the "funnel" where the liquid is poured. It's what makes the tank light tight.

Yes this appears to use Paterson reels, which is cool as they're much cheaper and more readily available than Jobo. It did arrive with two reels anyway but still nice to know I can replace them if necessary.

Looking at photos of Jessops tanks they do have a spindle into which the twizzle stick is inserted.

 

[Donald Qualls]

If you can see light through the center hole in the lid, it's missing the core. Without the core, it'll fog the film.

 

[MattKing]

Will it be light tight as is? I'm more familiar with the Jobo which has a spindle for the reels that goes all the way up from the bottom of the tank to the "funnel" where the liquid is poured. It's what makes the tank light tight.

I think most of us would refer to that as a centre column or core - the spindle being the thing that you can twirl for agitation.
Yes - you need a centre column for tanks like that.
It looks a little bit like the tanks made by AP - the older style ones like this:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...p_app321000_developing_tank_classic_with.html

 

[Agulliver]

Thanks, yes centre column is a better description...and it does indeed look a lot like that AP branded tank. It's likely some generic 80s tank sold under a lot of names. Looks to be in great condition I just hope the person who gave it to me can find the core....

 

[Donald Qualls]

If it uses Paterson reels, it's possible a Paterson core will fit (or one from a 3-reel size could be trimmed to length, but it's probably the same as the Paterson 2-reel size) -- finding one would be the trick, though. Paterson tanks are durable enough loose parts don't turn up much.

 

[reddesert]

The tank looks similar to the AP tank (made in Spain) that Freestyle sells badged as "Arista Premium." https://www.freestylephoto.biz/5041-Arista-Premium-Double-Reel-Developing-Tank-with-Two-Reels There are also Arista regular tanks, which is what MattKing's picture is of.

Freestyle sells replacement columns for both Arista and Paterson tanks. The ones for Arista tanks are called "cores" so search "core" on their website. They are inexpensive, but it would be nicer to find a UK / EU retailer of AP tanks, given likely shipping costs.

 

[Steve906]

Ag-photographic in the UK sell the AP tank including two reels, core and twiddle stick for £17.99
Just bought on a few weeks ago.
No connection just a customer.

 

[Agulliver]

Thankfully the person who gave me the tank found the core...so all is good. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Thankfully the person who gave me the tank found the core...so all is good. Thanks for all the info.

Excellent! Good processing.