Got an error attaching files.
Is it a film drum or a print drum? A film drum is not designed to process paper. The film drum is insulated (much thicker drum wall), the print drums are not. The film drum has a gasket, an o-ring and a rubber cap, the print drum has only the gasket. I seem to recall the print drums had ridges to support the paper, but I haven’t used one in many years. I believe the Cibachrome and Beseler print drums did not have gaskets which solved that gasket problem.
Hello all creative people - I just bought a Unicolor drum and the roller. The drum is all leaking and the seal cracked into pieces. Could you please help me with following (may be stupid) questions?
1. They said I can process photos(exposed paper) using this. Inside the drum it’s smooth surface. Is it true? Have I bought the wrong drum? I want to process the color prints, I already have a Paterson tank to develop reals.
2. Have you got any success with the 3D printed piston O’ring and the cap?
Thank you,
Mahesh
The 3d printed seals and cap have been working fine for me, that last incarnation seems to be golden.
The tank is a film tank but in the very distant past I have processed paper in it. The problem is that without the ridges to hold the paper, the paper does not stay on the wall of the drum very well. The chemicals may not cover the paper well.
I guess you can develop prints, I think a paper drum works better. I glued the end cap on with a silicon sealant, I've read that some have used the large plastic lids from a coffee can to make a gasket. For the plunger I still have one with the O ring that is still flexible, I have another that came apart, I tired a couple of different O rings so far not much luck. Thinking about trying 2 or even 3 O rings, have not spent time thinking about it as long I have good end cap. I don't know if anyone is 3D printing, the large gasket should be easy, the plunger end might more tricky, need the right plastic that will squeegee out to make the seal.
Thank you. Would you be able to share the sketch/print file. I think the library has 3D printing service. I might be able to get it printed.
Use the file from post 31, expand the X and Y to 94mm in the slicer software. Turn off the ratio lock so that it does not scale in the Z axis as well. Make sure you use a flexible filament.
I did the same with 1mm Gasket material from Rockauto. Make sure you cut the gasket slightly less than 5” diameter or the ring buckles and leaks.I don't bother getting too fancy with the cut outs, just as long as it makes a seal on the drum, hangs on to the lid and lets the tank drain it is good enough for me. This is the print drum though, and not the film developing drum...
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I also used auto gasket sheeting from the local auto parts store. In a Unidrum II print drum, cut to perfect size it dosen't leak. I use it for running four 4x5 B&W sheets, using the "rubber thingee" so that the sheets don't overlap each other during processing. Has done a perfect job for decades. Recently I bought a couple more 8x10 Unidrum II's, you can make the "rubber thingee" from a strip of rubber bungee strapping, I bought a single short one from harbor freight. Works great now I have extras. Use a carpet knife to cut the slot in the length of bungee cord. BTW if you have limited darkroom space the 16x20 Unidrum II works great for fibre paper development. I still have some 16x20 Ektalure to print on. The 11x14 Unidrum II will process two 5x7 film sheets, similar to the 4x5s in the 8x10 Unidrum II
What is this "rubber thingy", --maybe you could post a picture?
What is this "rubber thingy", --maybe you could post a picture?
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