Darkroom: Wheels Of Steel Or Plastic Fantastic?

[dcsang]

Well, which is it?
Are you processing your film on metal wheels/tanks or are you using plastic "easy" load reels (a la Patterson or AP)?

Feel free to comment if you find a benefit of one over the other.

Cheers
Dave

EDIT: I currently use plastic, which I don't mind, but I've tried steel and I'll be gosh darned diddly-iddly kerfuffled if I can ever figure out how to put the film onto the steel PROPERLY 🙁

 

[GeneW]

I've used both and both are good. Each has its quirks. I'm currently using Patterson tanks and reels and stick with them because they work for me, but I always liked SS tanks and reels too. I think Patterson reels are easier to load in a changing bag.

Gene

 

[24x30]

Hm,... the plastic stuff is doing its work at about 100 films per year ... no reason to change.
I use Jobo (15xx series).

/rudi

 

[MinorTones]

I'm using steel, but damn I hate it when I get impatient on that last roll and get some negative touching at the end of the roll. I'm not sure who made the tank but the reels are Kalt. The film holder tab inside the reel is really hard to get the film into.

At school we had some that had teeth on the inside of the reel to hold the film on. Anyone know who makes these?

I have a two reel plastic tank with reels, maybe I'll whip them out tonight. They are so much easier to use.

-Mitch

 

[sleepyhead]

I've used both. They're just different - each can be gotten used to.

I use stainless steel exclusively now because in the long run they're extremely durable and easy to keep clean - no chemical residues build up. Also, I imagine that temperature conduction through the wall of a steel tank may be more efficient than through a pastic tank wall. This can be a plus or a minus depending on whether you want the tank to act as an insulator or not. I prefer it not to be as when I develope the tank itself sits on a large basin filled with water of the correct temperature, so i want thermoconduction to be efficient.

 

[eric mac]

I've switched from Patterson plastic to Hewes steel. I had trouble with jamming with the plastic which I guess is due to the photoflow residue. If I miswind on the steel, it is easier to unwind and start over.

Eric

 

[f/stopblues]

I personally like the stainless reels and tanks because they're easy to clean and seem easiest to spool up for me, but I've been using them a while. If you decide to go with them, make sure you get the reels with the little teeth that hook into the film instead of the clippy thing.

Really I think if you get either one and do it for a couple months then it'll become second nature. I'd bet most people still use whatever they learned on. There's no doubt some converts to one or the other, but just in general.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I use plastic. Mainly because of the expense of steel, but also because I've never had trouble with the plastic.

 

[dnk512]

I started with Patterson and now use Kinderman. I ruined film with both. The plastic is easier for 35mm the steel is easier for 120. I worry less about cracks and residue with my steel gear. It takes less space, too. Anyone needs any Patterson stuff? I could spare a 2 and a 5 wheel tanks, 6 reels (or so...) and the water hose for continues wash (never used that one... did not fit my faucet). You could cover the shipping by sending me 2-3 rolls of your favorite B&W film and I will ship all the above to you.

 

[amateriat]

To paraphrase a bicycling community phrase, plastic can be fantastic, but steel's for real. Way, way back, I worked with the then-new Patterson reels, which I thought were okay. But soon afterward I learned how to properly load those scary-to-me-at-the-time steel reels and never looked back. I now have a "vintage" set of Honeywell/Brooks and Nikor tanks and reels. Barring some silly accident with the reels, this setup will likely outlive me.


- Barrett

 

[wlewisiii]

I have been using plastic patterson clone tank and reels from Freestyle. However, I recently found a small stainless tank with two 35mm reels in it for $5 at St. Vinnies, so once I get a second roll of B&W finished, I'll get to learn what they are like.

Of course, I'll still have to use the plastic reels for my 120 until I can afford a steel 120 reel.

William

 

[RayPA]

I'm a steel reel guy. I've several beauties, most have been with me for over 25 years. I have a Paterson setup, but just never use it, because I prefer the feel and convenience of ss. However, I understand the frustration that some have experienced with ss reels. It does take practice to load ss reels correctly, and it's a major bummer when things don't go right. To each his own. Film forever!



🙂




.

 

[dnk512]

MelanieC took me on my offer. If the transaction falls through, I will re-post.

 

[aizan]

hewes reels take up film like butter.

whoops, my 1234th post. ok, i'm outta here. 😀

 

[Trius]

Steel rules, plastic is for wussies. Sorry Gene! 😀

 

[einolu]

i love the title,
im currently using plastic,
but havent tried steel
so i wont vote...
🙂

 

[kmack]

Steel, cold hard steel. I find steel easier to load, easier to clean. You can dry them quickly and load more film faster.

 

[taffy]

I've used AP plastic reels, generic steel reels, and Hewes steel reels. If the Hewes steel reels weren't so expensive ($20 per reel, last time i checked) , I'd be using those exclusively.

Steel reels are easier to clean becuase chemicals won't stick to them--just douse it with hot water and you're done. They also don't get discolored and (based on my AP plastic reel expericence) they require less chemical (volume-wise) to use bec the system (reels+tank) is smaller. Since they are smaller, they are easier to store. And since they're made of steel, they're quite resistant to elements and I think they'd last longer as long as you don't dent the reels. Plastic reels tend to have a little friction after a while so the rachet mechanisim isn't so smooth sometimes.

BUT i love the Hewes design becuase it makes it SO EASY to spool the film-- perfectly aligned and secure (very minimal error in my experience).

Hope this helps.

Taffy

 

[T_om]

There is a reason pro labs used steel reels and tanks for short run stuff that they did not dip and dunk.

Faster to load, more durable, less developer, can be loaded wet... and the list goes on and on.

Tom

 

[Doug]

At school we had some that had teeth on the inside of the reel to hold the film on. Anyone know who makes these?

Mitch, those are my favorite kind. All my tanks are Kinderman, I think all of my reels are too, including the toothed ones as well. So are my "plain" ones I'm sure, the kind with no spring-clip or toothed recess, just an open spot between two of the four core support posts. The clips give me a bit of problem when I don't center the film properly. I've heard Hewes are good reels too.

I've preferred the Kinderman tanks because of the flexible polymer top, rather than the fitted stainless top of the Nikor tanks. In 40 years of use I don't recall having a Kinderman top fail.