Sorry if this has been asked before. Loading Patterson film tank spools

jeremy rundle · Aug 25, 2016

I remember this from 40+ years ago, when I used to try to load 36 exposure Monochrome film on to Patterson film tank autoloader spools, they used to start sticking at about 18/20 exposures.

I know that this can be dampness.

I have ordered a LARGE changing bag

I dry everything on a radiator before use NOT hot just warm

Still starts sticking, so having to use 20 exposure film, am I missing something.

Thanks

JR

Kirks518 · Aug 25, 2016

I use Patersons, and haven't had an issue with sticking. I don't do anything other then shove everything in the changing bag, and go to work. I'm wondering if heating things up may possibly be causing a condensation issue, or causing your hands to sweat. I would try it at just whatever temp it is, without heating, and see how that goes.

jeremy rundle · Aug 25, 2016

Ok will try that, years ago it was suggested warm things up, perhaps that was wrong many years ago

R.Gould · Aug 25, 2016

I have used Patterson tanks for ever, the answer to the film sticking is simple, take a shard pencil and run the lead around the reels, film will slide in like a hot knife though butter, it has never failed me in as long as I have been using them, if you leave it a bit to long between using the pencil and the film sticks a sharp tap of the reel on a work surface will clear it 99% of the time
Richard

summicron1 · Aug 25, 2016

if you live in a humid part of the country, or if you tend to sweat, you can get just enough moisture on the film so that it binds.

this is why I abandoned those types of reels/tanks decades ago. One you learn steel reels, the film feeds on automatically.

MattKing · Aug 25, 2016

A hand held hair dryer would be better than just warming things.

And a closet or other darkened room is better than a changing bag.

If you must use a changing bag, put something like a cardboard box inside it, so that you maximize the amount of moving air in it.

Stephen Weston · Aug 25, 2016

I don't tend to use the plastic reels very often but when I have and they start to stick I have found a good tap on the side usually does the trick. I have a recollection that someone also suggested that if you nip a corner of each side of the leader before loading that also helps. Apparently the square edges can catch on the spool as the film is being loaded.

Alan9940 · Aug 25, 2016

I never was successful loading 35mm on to Paterson reels. Get these and I'll bet you'll toss the Paterson reels in the trash:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...2_Universal_Adjustable_Multi_format_Reel.html

pdeeh · Aug 25, 2016

is this episode of Reel Wars worth viewing or shall I wait for the JJ Abrams reboot?

pentaxuser · Aug 25, 2016

I use Jobo reels but plastic reels are plastic reels and have had only the occasional problem of sticking after what was probably the 20th frame or so but I think it safe to assume that this will be the same issue that the OP has. I tried R Gould's method( post #4) and found this made all the difference

OK to be statistically confident that this was not simply chance I'd need to repeat it several hundred times but it does seem to make loading easier

Worth a try in my opinion

pentaxuser

CMoore · Aug 25, 2016

I have discussed this on this forum before...do a search, it might be valuable to you.
It seems we all have the same problem.....the roll gets about 70% on, and then sticks for some reason. I had it happen twice.
What i do now (and have never had a problem since) is to feed a dead roll of 36 frames each time.
What is strange, since doing this, i have never had the dead roll stick either.
I wonder if we sometimes, maybe, squeeze the two halves too tightly...push them together perhaps.....or maybe go to fast.? I don't know.
good luck

mshchem · Aug 26, 2016

Trimming the corners, and don't leave a jagged sprocket hole helps A LOT! I used Paterson reels for years, most of the time no problems but sometimes it took three tries. The pencil lead graphite trick sounds good.
I'm now a Jobo convert, I just processed several rolls of 35mm Fujichrome. Trick for me is nip the corners (the is a must with Jobo ) Then I sit calmly and just push the film in slowly. I can slide an entire 36 exposure roll onto the 1500 series reels. Just go easy and don't force it. I've done this in the past with Paterson, you really need a darkened space and get rid of the bag, it's sooo much easier. Put a chair in a closet at night and relax and go slow. The ratchet feature on Paterson reels was what did in Nikor and Kindermann. You might just need to get a couple of new reels if they are gunked up from wetting agents or have corroded ratchet balls buy new.
Mike

Soeren · Aug 26, 2016

And keep the reels clean, use a nailbrush.
Occasionally I had the problem mostly after developing a lot of 120 film. Scrubbing the grooves in the reels with a nailbrush files it.

Arctic amateur · Aug 26, 2016

Won't the pencil trick cause problems with graphite dust?

jeremy rundle · Aug 26, 2016

MattKing said:
A hand held hair dryer would be better than just warming things.

And a closet or other darkened room is better than a changing bag.

If you must use a changing bag, put something like a cardboard box inside it, so that you maximize the amount of moving air in it.

Thanks that I will try

jeremy rundle · Aug 26, 2016

mshchem said:
Trimming the corners, and don't leave a jagged sprocket hole helps A LOT! I used Paterson reels for years, most of the time no problems but sometimes it took three tries. The pencil lead graphite trick sounds good.
I'm now a Jobo convert, I just processed several rolls of 35mm Fujichrome. Trick for me is nip the corners (the is a must with Jobo ) Then I sit calmly and just push the film in slowly. I can slide an entire 36 exposure roll onto the 1500 series reels. Just go easy and don't force it. I've done this in the past with Paterson, you really need a darkened space and get rid of the bag, it's sooo much easier. Put a chair in a closet at night and relax and go slow. The ratchet feature on Paterson reels was what did in Nikor and Kindermann. You might just need to get a couple of new reels if they are gunked up from wetting agents or have corroded ratchet balls buy new.
Mike

Always done that trimming, i do have a room ideal for a darkroom may try that BUT don't want to be tempted into a darkroom.....................

jeremy rundle · Aug 26, 2016

Soeren said:
And keep the reels clean, use a nailbrush.
Occasionally I had the problem mostly after developing a lot of 120 film. Scrubbing the grooves in the reels with a nailbrush files it.

Great idea, toothbrush

R.Gould · Aug 26, 2016

Arctic amateur said:
Won't the pencil trick cause problems with graphite dust?

Never has yet in over 40 years of using it, and I never scrub my reels, the only wash they get is washing after processing, I use wetting agent in the final rinse,empty out, take film out and hang up to dry, put the tank and reels to dry until next time needed, I load my reels damp, the ONLY thing I have ever done is to run a pencil around the groves every 2 or 3 films, and I have not had a film stick for longer than I can remember, and if I forget and use a reel that needs penciling and it does stick, a sharp tap frees the film and in it goes, but that hasn't happened for a few years now, I maintain that all you need do with plastic reels in the pencil trick and NOTHING else
Richard

jeremy rundle · Aug 26, 2016

R.Gould said:
I have used Patterson tanks for ever, the answer to the film sticking is simple, take a shard pencil and run the lead around the reels, film will slide in like a hot knife though butter, it has never failed me in as long as I have been using them, if you leave it a bit to long between using the pencil and the film sticks a sharp tap of the reel on a work surface will clear it 99% of the time
Richard

May well try this, it isn't lead though, graphite, in fact will try this

jeremy rundle · Aug 26, 2016

I was told 40 years ago to clean then with a mild solution of bleach ?

jeremy rundle · Aug 26, 2016

Alan9940 said:
I never was successful loading 35mm on to Paterson reels. Get these and I'll bet you'll toss the Paterson reels in the trash:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...2_Universal_Adjustable_Multi_format_Reel.html

##
Expensive to ship to where I live though, will look on ebay

John51 · Aug 26, 2016

I've never had a sticking problem with Paterson tanks but I always have a bit of the leader out after rewinding and do a diagonal cut, avoiding the sprocket holes.

40 years ago, the tank might have been a Paterson Major II. Max of 20 exp with 35mm film.

GRHazelton · Aug 26, 2016

I run the reels through the dishwasher, top rack and air dry. Seems to help. No damage to the reels yet!

jeremy rundle · Aug 26, 2016

StephenT · Aug 26, 2016

I used to experience some problems using 36 exposure film, but they went away when I started loading only 20-24 exposures from bulk rolls.

Sorry if this has been asked before. Loading Patterson film tank spools

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