Bulk loading - attaching film to spool

[Nomad Z]

I just got some reloadable cassettes (metal-bodied ones from Maco), and it seems that there is a slot in the spool that the film passes through. The slot isn't the full length of the spool, and has a couple of hook-type bits. Clearly, the film width is meant to be cut down and a couple of holes made to engage with the hooks. The last time I bulk loaded was 30-odd years ago, and I don't remember any of this - I'm sure it was just round spools and tape.

Is there a template, or maybe a clever little ready-made cutter, for dressing the end of the film? Or am I looking at fiddling with tape?

 

[nikon_sam]

Tape is the easiest way to go...been doing it that way for 30+ years...only time I had a problem was with my Nikon F2a with the Motor Drive...at the end of the roll the motor drive still wanted to pull the film and before I could shut it off it tore the tape...I lost that roll of film since I couldn't rewind it...

 

[presspass]

What Nikon Sam said. For more than 25 years, I bulk loaded black and white film and always used just masking tape. It holds well and is easy to tear off in the darkroom. Never tried trimming the film to fit in the spool slot.

 

[Nomad Z]

I pulled a used commercial cassette apart, and found it has the same slot - the end of the film has a pretty fiddly shape that I don't fancy trying to make (and I don't fancy trying to make a cutter or template, either).

Masking tape it is, then. 🙂

 

[dleyva2]

Electrical tape also works great.

 

[Landshark]

masking tape

 

[Tom A]

I use gaffers tape - 1" wide and wrap a couple of "rounds" around the center spool. When you peel of the end, you can either tear it or if you are lucky, peel the film off and re-use the end. This way I have to tape only every 3rd or 4th load. I use it with standard reloadable cassettes (metal or plastic) and the Nikon re-loadable cassettes as the center spool has a bewildering variety of slots and it was easier to just tape them.
With the Leica IXMOO's I made my own template for cutting the V-shaped end - and I have also loaded these 1000's of times so they are easy for me.
Be sure that the film fits well between the flanges of the spool though -it can hang up at the last 4-5 frames and with M2's and M3's the spool can slip - camera exposes, but the film stays put in one place.
The gaffer tape is available from movie supply houses - big rolls and they can do several 100 spools if needed. Various colors - and slightly different "glue" - the yellow dries out fast as does the red, the green one dries slower which works better for film-loading.

As for motor drives, F2's with MD1's and Leicaflex Sl Motors will happily strip the film from the tape and the end will flap loudly as it spins around. It will also do that with "slot" film loads - just use a bit more tape - at least 1" and be sure that it is really stuck on.

 

[rodinal]

Strange, I thought my method was the most widely used, but nobody has mentioned it. I also use masking tape, one inch wide. I cut a piece of about 2-2.5" and form an "U" around the spool and BOTH ends of the tape are sticked to the film, one to each side of it. This way is almost impossible (well, very difficult) to tear the film accidentally with a motor drive or an absentminded thumb. Factory loaded cartridges use this same method.

 

[nikon_sam]

Strange, I thought my method was the most widely used, but nobody has mentioned it. I also use masking tape, one inch wide. I cut a piece of about 2-2.5" and form an "U" around the spool and BOTH ends of the tape are sticked to the film, one to each side of it. This way is almost impossible (well, very difficult) to tear the film accidentally with a motor drive or an absentminded thumb. Factory loaded cartridges use this same method.

That's how I do it...I apply the tape to one side of the film then try to square the film on the spool then wrap the tape around the spool onto the other side of the film...😀

 

[RayPA]

Another vote for (black) electrical tape. I also ...

...cut a piece of about 2-2.5" and form an "U" around the spool and BOTH ends of the tape are sticked to the film, one to each side of it.

Btw, electrical tape is reusable, so there's no need to have to go through this exercise every_single_time. I've had electrical tape easily last more than two years on a spool.


/

 

[Bobbo]

I like masking tape because it doesn't leave a residue like electrical tape and it's a whole lot cheaper than gaffer's tape.

 

[maddoc]

When I use the plastic reloadables, masking tape for the reasons mentioned. IXMOO / FILCA (Leitz) cassettes have the slot in the spool and I just cut the sprockets of (two small stripes actually) about 1cm. The resulting leader fits well into the slot and the film is hold firmly.

 

[slm]

Another vote for (black) electrical tape. I also ...



Btw, electrical tape is reusable, so there's no need to have to go through this exercise every_single_time. I've had electrical tape easily last more than two years on a spool.


/

Yup, same here, both method and tape used.

Cheers

 

[SciAggie]

I'm not sure if this has been addressed, but does anyone reuse commercial spools? Instead of opening the canister with a can opener, I just don't rewind the film allmthe way into the canister. I then spool it from the canister and cut the film off. I have thought that I could attach the film to the cut-off part and re-use the canister.

Has anyone done this?

 

[DNG]

I use 2" wide Duct Tape, and cut 2- 1/2" strips, and make a long 3.25" x 1/2" strip to wrap it around the spool and the inside of the film at least by 1/2" on emulsion of the film. So, I have I have 2 film surfaces taped.. The base and the emulsion sides.

 

[typhillips]

I re-use commercial spools. Got a huge box of discarded ones from a photo lab. There's a small piece of film sticking out of each spool after their machine cuts it off from the roll. I just splice the bulk film on with a piece of Scotch tape (the "frosted" kind). Never have had an issue and they were free!

 

[DNG]

I re-use commercial spools. Got a huge box of discarded ones from a photo lab. There's a small piece of film sticking out of each spool after their machine cuts it off from the roll. I just splice the bulk film on with a piece of Scotch tape (the "frosted" kind). Never have had an issue and they were free!

Great idea... will check my local drug store lab for ISO coded ones I use.

 

[MichaelW]

Strange, I thought my method was the most widely used, but nobody has mentioned it. I also use masking tape, one inch wide. I cut a piece of about 2-2.5" and form an "U" around the spool and BOTH ends of the tape are sticked to the film, one to each side of it. This way is almost impossible (well, very difficult) to tear the film accidentally with a motor drive or an absentminded thumb. Factory loaded cartridges use this same method.

Same here.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I re-use commercial spools. Got a huge box of discarded ones from a photo lab. There's a small piece of film sticking out of each spool after their machine cuts it off from the roll. I just splice the bulk film on with a piece of Scotch tape (the "frosted" kind).

This sounds terrific. Will try it. Scotch tape sounds just right; more masking tape would wear off the felt light traps. I like it.

 

[DNG]

Strange, I thought my method was the most widely used, but nobody has mentioned it. I also use masking tape, one inch wide. I cut a piece of about 2-2.5" and form an "U" around the spool and BOTH ends of the tape are sticked to the film, one to each side of it. This way is almost impossible (well, very difficult) to tear the film accidentally with a motor drive or an absentminded thumb. Factory loaded cartridges use this same method.

Same here.

That's what I was trying to say.... :bang: Thanks