Stainless Steel Tanks What Available New?

Ted Baker · Jun 28, 2019

After my retiring my jobo rotary processor, I would like to get some more stainless steel tanks.

I already have the hewes reels and few tanks, but supply of stainless tanks in the UK is a bit thin, so I will order a few new ones from the US. These will last my lifetime, so happy to get right ones...

I would like to get stainless steel tanks that will are designed for 3 x 120 rolls, are those still made?
Otherwise 2 x 120 rolls. For complete daylight use, i.e. pour the developer in with light on, and it doesn't take for ever to fill the tank.

Good suggestions please?

Syed Ali · Jun 28, 2019

I wanted to ask what is making you move from the jobo system to steel tank/reels?

I’m actually about to move in the opposite direction. I’ve been developing in steel tanks/reels almost exclusively since I began developing film many years ago.

Loading film on a steel reel isn’t very straightforward but you get the hang of it after having done those sufficient amount of times.

I wanted to see if jobo reels will make my process quicker. I also rather like the modular jobo 1500 tank system. Gives you a lot of flexibility.

thuggins · Jun 28, 2019

Aren't Hewes reels made in the UK?

Ballinderry-Michael · Jun 28, 2019

thuggins said:
Aren't Hewes reels made in the UK?

They are; but the firm doesn't market them very actively. One supplier is RK Photographic (who don't have standard 35mm spirals in stock at the moment).

Alan9940 · Jun 28, 2019

Syed Ali said:
I also rather like the modular jobo 1500 tank system.

Personally, I like the 2500 series better, but going that route means you have to buy a more expensive Jobo. It's all a trade-off.

Ted Baker · Jun 28, 2019

thuggins said:
Aren't Hewes reels made in the UK?

Sorry the title should say tanks, I have edited now.

Ted Baker · Jun 28, 2019

Syed Ali said:
I wanted to ask what is making you move from the jobo system to steel tank/reels?

I’m actually about to move in the opposite direction. I’ve been developing in steel tanks/reels almost exclusively since I began developing film many years ago.

Loading film on a steel reel isn’t very straightforward but you get the hang of it after having done those sufficient amount of times.

I wanted to see if jobo reels will make my process quicker. I also rather like the modular jobo 1500 tank system. Gives you a lot of flexibility.

I have both, since forever.

I ONLY use stainless reels, and that includes in my jobo. Only time I ever use plastic was to load 2 x 120 on single plastic roll, which was sometimes handy for hand processing.

But for me the jobo is really only superior for:

1. Any color processing (no brainer actually)
2. B&W processing where I leave the jobo out, if I have to set it up each time, then hand processing for small runs is just as easy.

Anyway. I am just after a good recommendation for new to buy in a shop steel tanks, ideally 3 x 120 size?

mrosenlof · Jun 29, 2019

I don't think I've ever seen a 3x120 size steel tank. I have 1x, 2x, and 4x 120 tanks, and that usually covers my needs. Maybe evilBay wold turn up something 3x. B and H currently lists only up to 2x120 size. Tanks seem pretty generic to me. They either expect a plastic lid (and have straight sides) or a metal lid (and have a slightly narrow mouth). I like the way the metal lids pour with separate channels for the air to come out, but I like the way the cap on the plastic lid seals, so no dripping when agitating. I call it a toss-up.

Ted Baker · Jun 30, 2019

mrosenlof said:
4x 120 tanks

Actually I would consider a 4 x 120 tank, are these still made?

Pentode · Jul 1, 2019

I know that Kindermann made a 5x135 tank which fit 3x120 as well. I picked one up recently at a flea market and it's the first tank of that size I've ever seen.
Kindermann tanks had plastic lids and I don't think the tanks are made any more so you'd have to search the used market. Those plastic lids are interchangeable with modern ones in case you only find the tank.

I really like the build quality of the old Nikor tanks, personally, although they didn't make a 3x120 (only 1, 2 and 4). They made two types: the original type had a metal diverter in the pouring spout and the later ones didn't. The later ones were the "quick-pour" versions and they fill and empty much faster. The lids are not interchangeable between versions.

I'm not sure what's currently being manufactured but if Hewes is still manufacturing tanks I would expect their quality to be as excellent as that of their reels. Have you contacted Hewes directly?

guangong · Jul 1, 2019

I have a steel tank that holds 8 reels. Bought used in 1970s and have no idea who made it.
I also have retired my JOBO, for same reasons as given above.

mrosenlof · Jul 1, 2019

Ted Baker said:
Actually I would consider a 4 x 120 tank, are these still made?

If I had to guess, it would be no, not still made. But not sure.

I got mine used about 10 years ago. I have mixed feelings about a tank that large. It takes a while to pour in/out through the lid. If I were doing something really time-critical (rare, if ever) I would kill the lights and take the cap off to change liquids.

Fin · Jul 2, 2019

mrosenlof said:
I don't think I've ever seen a 3x120 size steel tank. I have 1x, 2x, and 4x 120 tanks, and that usually covers my needs. Maybe evilBay wold turn up something 3x.

After searching for a while using 'Nikor tank' as the saved search phrase, I found a 3x 120 tank in the US. It was a bit scruffy and was advertised as a repurposed cocktail shaker?! Whatever! So, at the cost of around £28, it finally arrived and was treated to a wire wool polishing. It's now perfect and has been re-unpurpos… wait, un-repurpose... no... Look, I'm using it as a developing tank. Because, it's a sodding developing tank. That's it's purpose! That was exactly what it was designed for!

mrosenlof said:
I like the way the metal lids pour with separate channels for the air to come out, but I like the way the cap on the plastic lid seals, so no dripping when agitating.

The trick with steel lids is to wrap a couple turns of electrical/pvc tape round the seam once the film is in there. This will stop any leaks from the seam, although the Bleach stage of the Digibase C41 kit will belch it's way though seals and also pops the top off my tank when I use it!

Arklatexian · Jul 2, 2019

Fin said:
After searching for a while using 'Nikor tank' as the saved search phrase, I found a 3x 120 tank in the US. It was a bit scruffy and was advertised as a repurposed cocktail shaker?! Whatever! So, at the cost of around £28, it finally arrived and was treated to a wire wool polishing. It's now perfect and has been re-unpurpos… wait, un-repurpose... no... Look, I'm using it as a developing tank. Because, it's a sodding developing tank. That's it's purpose! That was exactly what it was designed for!

The trick with steel lids is to wrap a couple turns of electrical/pvc tape round the seam once the film is in there. This will stop any leaks from the seam, although the Bleach stage of the Digibase C41 kit will belch it's way though seals and also pops the top off my tank when I use it!

I was using the electrician's tape to seal the steel lids until a member of this group suggested putting a wide rubber band over the seam. It works and does not leave any adhesive afterwards. I have never seen a tank for 4 120 reels. I would rather use two tanks holding 2 ea. 120 reels. Easier to pour chemicals in & out........Regards!

mshchem · Jul 2, 2019

Ted Baker said:
Actually I would consider a 4 x 120 tank, are these still made?

I don't know of anyone left making any stainless tanks bigger than 2 120 reels. There's still a lot of used stuff in the US but more and more stuff just gets tossed into the bin. I gave away my deep tanks to a friend,
Answer to your question, I don't know of any new 3 reel tanks, watch Ebay.

canuhead · Jul 3, 2019

I use Hewes steel reels that fit Jobo cores, which are used in 15xx series tanks. Best of both worlds really, and very quick pour and dump.

Renato Tonelli · Jul 3, 2019

I would recommend the Nikor tanks - they are well made and the aluminum is a bit thicker than some of the others; I have had mine (in several configurations) for decades. They turn up on ebay quite regularly.

Fin · Jul 3, 2019

Renato Tonelli said:
I would recommend the Nikor tanks - they are well made and the stainless steel is a bit thicker than some of the others; I have had mine (in several configurations) for decades. They turn up on ebay quite regularly.

FTFY!

Sirius Glass · Jul 3, 2019

FreeStyle, one of our sponsors, carry a good selection of stainless steel tanks and Hewes reels.
https://www.freestylephoto.biz/search?q=stainless+steel+tanks

Ted Baker · Jul 4, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
FreeStyle, one of our sponsors, carry a good selection of stainless steel tanks and Hewes reels.
https://www.freestylephoto.biz/search?q=stainless+steel+tanks

That about sums it up... A bit disappointing that tanks that will hold more than two rolls of 120 and that pour and empty fast just don't seem to be available. Rather than deal with international ebay, I a have decided to get some new reels that fit the my old jobo plastic tanks.

canuhead · Jul 4, 2019

Do you have the inversion lid for the your tanks, or are they all cogs ?

Rocccity · Jul 5, 2019

Ted Baker said:
That about sums it up... A bit disappointing that tanks that will hold more than two rolls of 120 and that pour and empty fast just don't seem to be available. Rather than deal with international ebay, I a have decided to get some new reels that fit the my old jobo plastic tanks.

Hey Ted,
I have some tanks laying around. I’ll check them out tomorrow and send you a message of what they hold if you’d like.

Rocccity · Jul 5, 2019

I’m not sure what brand they are. The bottoms just say “made in Japan.

Ted Baker · Jul 7, 2019

Rocccity said:
I’m not sure what brand they are. The bottoms just say “made in Japan.

Thanks for taking those photos the bigger tanks are probably too big for HC-110 and daylight pouring.

I decided to get new Jobo stainless reels to fit my plastic tanks that hold 3 rolls of 120

Stainless Steel Tanks What Available New?

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