Switching To Metal Reels -Not So Simple....

[Bob Carnie]

I use jobo plastic now, but I have to admit I prefer stainless steel reels, I have kept a complete lab set for the day I set up a line.

 

[AgX]

Only possible advantage I can see with steel is that it conducts heat better.

Yes, but it also has more warmth-capacity, thus being of more influence on the temperature of the bath in casae of great temperature differences between reels assembly and baths.

 

[mehguy]

I've never used plastic reels. Steel reels aren't hard at all. Just practice with your eyes close before you do the real thing.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Two advantages of metal reels. I can load one in less than half the time of a plastic one. The metal ones are far easier to keep clean. But there are a few individuals that seem to lack the dexterity needed.

 

[Vaughn]

What I really enjoy having is not just the SS reels (120), but also my two double 120 reel capacity SS tanks with SS lids and caps.

They have to match well, but the fill and empty times are at least double of SS tanks with plastic lids and caps. The SS lids are vented to make it faster. Last forever!

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I've never used plastic reels. Steel reels aren't hard at all. Just practice with your eyes close before you do the real thing.

You do realise you also need to load with your eyes closed in a darkroom too. I know I'm not the only one. ;-)

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Closing your eyes in the darkroom is what seals up the light leak from the crack around the door.

That's what I always thought.

 

[GarageBoy]

I loaded my first 120 Hewes and man, that was easy, once I got it on the clip and confirmed it was square

 

[DREW WILEY]

I use the stainless tanks for keeping the chemicals at proper temp in the water bath. Then I pour the chem into the Jobo plastic hand tank. It's far
easier to thread film onto than the old stainless reels.

 

[dburian]

Year's ago at my first printing workshop, I was told/taught that a disadvantage of plastic reels is that PhotoFlo can't be completely cleaned off them and the reels get gummy. Since then, I lucked into a Jobo CPA2 that included several Jobo plastic reels and a tank that were gummy. I've always assumed it was because someone dunked them in PhotoFlo.

That said, I find steel reels much easier to load than the Jobos but I'm not giving up the reproducibility of the Jobo system over a little extra time to load the reels.
Dennis

 

[darkroommike]

Year's ago at my first printing workshop, I was told/taught that a disadvantage of plastic reels is that PhotoFlo can't be completely cleaned off them and the reels get gummy. Since then, I lucked into a Jobo CPA2 that included several Jobo plastic reels and a tank that were gummy. I've always assumed it was because someone dunked them in PhotoFlo.

That said, I find steel reels much easier to load than the Jobos but I'm not giving up the reproducibility of the Jobo system over a little extra time to load the reels.
Dennis

Jobo sold a Hewes made stainless steel reel to fit the 15xx series of tanks so you could have the best of both worlds.

 

[Moopheus]

I loaded my first 120 Hewes and man, that was easy, once I got it on the clip and confirmed it was square

The clip is the hard part. Indeed, once the film is clipped in and straight, it goes right on, but I sometimes have a hard time getting it clipped in.

 

[paul ron]

Closing your eyes in the darkroom is what seals up the light leak from the crack around the door.

and it works!

 

[dburian]

Jobo sold a Hewes made stainless steel reel to fit the 15xx series of tanks so you could have the best of both worlds.

That's good news. Thanks much,
D