stainless steel reels - get the right ones!

[ludoo]

I picked up two Kindermann reels along with a tank a few months ago. The tank is fine, but, for the life of me, I can't figure out how I'm supposed to load film into the reels. There's what looks to be a clip in the center, but it doesn't flex or open.

You push down the clip with your thumb, and push in the film with your other hand in the gap you just created. When you let go, the film stays more or less in place.

I have two Kindermann reels and, while it took a few tries to learn how to load them properly, they work very well. The trick is not to rotate the reel dragging the film with it, but to push the film in so that the reel rotates in your hand. Then from time to time pull/push a bit on the film to check it is riding freely inside the rails.

 

[wgerrard]

You push down the clip with your thumb, and push in the film with your other hand in the gap you just created. When you let go, the film stays more or less in place.

I have two Kindermann reels and, while it took a few tries to learn how to load them properly, they work very well. The trick is not to rotate the reel dragging the film with it, but to push the film in so that the reel rotates in your hand. Then from time to time pull/push a bit on the film to check it is riding freely inside the rails.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

 

[wgerrard]

... plastic reels ... can't be cleaned in hot water.

Why not? That's how I clean mine and they seem no worse for wear. Have you had problems?

I found it took much longer to learn to reliably load a steel reel. I did it simply because I can be stubborn. While it doesn't take that long to get comfortable loading a Paterson plastic reel, using a steel reel does involve less clutter.

Both designs work fine once you get them down. I'd stay with the one you like.

I also think a design rethink would likely produce a simpler and more reliable approach to getting film on a reel, but that's not going to happen.