Testing a secondhand bulk film loader

[malthusiantrap]

Hi everyone!
A friend gave me a bulk loader that he didn't need anymore. He said that he hasn't used it for years and he said that I should test it first before loading a 100 ft roll in it.
The obvious approach is to put a strip of unexposed film in it and take it out in the light but I'm wondering if RFF'ers have a tried and tested approach and tips for this matter? Thanks!

 

[nikon_sam]

I hadn't given too much thought to testing a bulk loader but it would make sense to test one that is used...
Maybe give this a try...
In a changing bag place a strip of film in the film gate and then put it in the closed position...take the loader out in the sun and open the door like you would when loading cassettes...DO NOT open the film gate...the piece of film sticking out will be exposed but what's inside should be unexposed...develop that strip and see if there's any light leaking through...
That's all I got...pretty much what you said but testing the light trap too...

 

[kokoshawnuff]

Maybe sticking a small flashlight inside and examining it in a very dark place.

 

[malthusiantrap]

Thanks nikon sam and kokoshawnuff. Haven't thought of that!

Also, I forgot to mention the loader type. It is a watson model 100 clone.

 

[nikon_sam]

That the only kind I have or have used...good luck...

 

[muser53]

Typically bulk loaders do not have light leak issues unless they have a crack or the plastic bits are warped. If you look carefully where all the pieces come together there is usually a channel or groove with two right angles. That is what keeps the light form coming thru. Just like darkrooms without doors. It is more important that the loader itself be clean. If it is one with a felt light trap wash it after every 100 ft or so and you should be fine.

 

[timor]

To leak light bulk loader has to be visibly damaged. Issue might be scratching. Fixable.

 

[Robert Lai]

If that's the bulk film loader that I mailed out, then I can tell you that it is indeed light tight. The last spool in there was Kodak Tech Pan, and there were no light leak problems on the developed negatives. I don't think it scratched either. I had cleaned the felt light traps and the entire interior chamber before I put it inside a new ziplock bag for storage.

 

[muser53]

If that's the bulk film loader that I mailed out, then I can tell you that it is indeed light tight. The last spool in there was Kodak Tech Pan, and there were no light leak problems on the developed negatives. I don't think it scratched either. I had cleaned the felt light traps and the entire interior chamber before I put it inside a new ziplock bag for storage.

A public thank you! The loader arrived in great condition and I am actually about to go out the door and make use of some TMY I recently spooled up.