Unicolor roller base: Price and Compatibility with Jobo drums?

Removed Account · Aug 27, 2008

Due to extremely limited darkroom space I've decided to pick up a Unicolor motor base and I have a few questions for the knowledgeable folks here.

First off, what would be a good price for a Unicolor motor base?

Second, would they work with Jobo expert and 2800 print drums?

I'd love to be able to consistently process sheet film in daylight (mostly) and processing prints in a drum would enable me to print larger than the 11x14 trays I have space for.

Thanks!

- Justin

colrehogan · Aug 27, 2008

I use my Unicolor roller base with 3005, 3004 & 3006 Expert drums to develop my film. Works fine. I can't imagine them costing very much. I can't recall what I paid for mine at the time (5 or so years ago), maybe less than $100?

MenacingTourist · Aug 27, 2008

I use a beseler roller base (with reversing switch) for Jobo expert drums up to the 8x10 size (forgot the number). I paid $9 for mine on ebay.
Not sure about 11x14 print tubes...

Fate favors the bold.

Alan.

wilsonneal · Aug 27, 2008

I've used both beseler bases and unicolor bases. I never paid more than about $20 for one on eBay and bought one for $10. I was using print drums for 8x10 film, but got uneven development, so switched to a 3005. With the Jobo 3005, the base reverses direction just shy of a full revolution, and I was always afraid that would result in uneven development. I opened up the base and defeated (permanently) the reversing feature. Neither of my bases has a switch to defeat this automatic reversal. I now let the film spin for thirty seconds and then lift and reverse the drum end to end and let it spin in the other direction for thirty seconds. Never had a problem.
Neal

Nick Zentena · Aug 27, 2008

2800 or the midsize 2500s are fine. The biggest 2800 [I forget the size but it's the 16x24?] will need to be stablized with your hand while it spins but even that monster works.

Venchka · Aug 29, 2008

I have both Uniroller & Beseler. The Uniroller was $20 in a local shop. The Beseler was free with a free enlarger. I used the Beseler (one way rotation) with my Jobo 3010 last night. Works like a dream. I have yet to figure out how to use my Jobo 2500 (short) tanks on either motor base. The tanks are too short to span both rollers. Any suggestions?

BradS · Aug 29, 2008

I use a unicolor with the Jobo 3006. The base I have reverses direction before the drum makes it all the way around. So, I too permananently disabled that feature. I don't bother to reverse direction of rotation at all. The flow inside the expert drums is chaotic enough. There is nothing to add by picking up the drum and turning it around manually.

Photoe · Aug 29, 2008

I have found that the Besseler base works well with Patterson tanks for roll film also.

Nick Zentena · Aug 30, 2008

Venchka said:
I have yet to figure out how to use my Jobo 2500 (short) tanks on either motor base. The tanks are too short to span both rollers. Any suggestions?

Get a 2500 extension The short drums are just too short.

wilsonneal · Aug 30, 2008

BradS said:
I use a unicolor with the Jobo 3006. The base I have reverses direction before the drum makes it all the way around. So, I too permananently disabled that feature. I don't bother to reverse direction of rotation at all. The flow inside the expert drums is chaotic enough. There is nothing to add by picking up the drum and turning it around manually.

I tried it your way and got uneven development in areas of broad, smooth tone (like seamless studio backgrounds). I am not sure how chaotic the flow really is, having never been inside the tube when it was running. I just know that I get smoother results when I reverse the tube. I certainly would prefer it your way. YMMV.
Neal

Unicolor roller base: Price and Compatibility with Jobo drums?

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