I have a twin reel job tank that i use for 35mm, Problem is when when I'm loading the film onto the reel Im always left with this stubborn inch of film that just dose not want to play ball, usually I just force it in,
This has worked 5 out of 6 times, However it creased and causes a flaw in one of my images last time,
I'm using fomapan 400 which isn't unusually long?
Two things come to mind.
1. have you put the reels in Photo-flo?
If so wash and scrub them good with a toothbrush and never put them in PF again. It builds up in the groves quickly and becomes a catalyst. also it causes opposition to the film sliding in..
2. do you clip the corners of the leading edge?
At any rate,it can't hurt to scrub the grooves well to eliminate any build up. A clean reel allows the film to slide in effortlessly.
I have a twin reel job tank that i use for 35mm, Problem is when when I'm loading the film onto the reel Im always left with this stubborn inch of film that just dose not want to play ball, usually I just force it in,
This has worked 5 out of 6 times, However it creased and causes a flaw in one of my images last time,
I'm using fomapan 400 which isn't unusually long?
I had a similar problem. It turned out it was due to the way I cut the leader.
If I cut it with a U shape, the film has problem in advancing inside the reel at the end.
To solve the problem, one must cut first the excess leader and then round only the square corner to give it the same round shape that the other leader corner has as cut the by the factory.
So instead of a U shape you end up with a rectangular shape with rounded corners.
I hope this solves your problem.
Try swapping the reel halves, you might get lucky. If it works, a little nick to mark the halves that work well together will prevent the problem from reoccurring.
I have problems with them all the time...I have a toasted unexposed roll of film I test each one with prior to loading my good film...it seems to be the
photoflo (I use Formulary version)...the pencil thing (graphite) didn't work for me really. As mentioned above, clean them well with a tooth brush...
maybe alcohol would work? It is maddening though...I also found that certain reels need to marry with others...fortunately, I have a dozen of them,
and one always seem to work! ;O)