Trouble in putting the film in the reels!

[Rhodes]

Hello! I began to developing the b&w films at home. Bought the chemicals, material, etc. One of my father friend, lend me a tank. When I was putting the film in the reel, after a few times, the reel began to get stuck and I can not proceed with the loading. Many times I have to begin the procedure all over again, but it gets stuck every time. I have to cut the film and do two developments for the same roll.
Is it possible that the trouble is due to the age of the reel? The tank is a paterson universal tank, model II, inversion/agitation.
Sorry, but i can't express well this problem in English.

 

[dfoo]

Are the reels dry? If so, most likely they are dirty and need cleaning. I use a tooth brush, and scrub in between the threads on the inside of the reel. Most likely you'll find a black deposit which will come right off. You could also stick the reels in your dishwasher, and run then through a cycle.

 

[nikon_sam]

You may want to sacrifice a roll and try reeling it on while watching...this way you can "See" where the problem is and also "See" if it's you, the film or the reel that's giving you grief...
Another thing you might want to try is cutting the leader off the roll and cutting the lead edges at a 45 degree angle before putting everything in the changing bag...this could help in getting the roll to load...

 

[naruto]

I agree with dfoo. This seems to be likely if you bought the reels used. I have a pair which gave me similar trouble until I cleaned them both with a toothbrush. Do remember to keep the reels and your hands completely dry when loading.

 

[Rhodes]

Nikon_sam, I already did that. I have two old rolls of film that i ruin, so i can use then in cameras testing or this case, doing the loanding of the reel in plain day light. In those ocasions, I have the simillar trouble, but after a few carefull twists, the reel continue to work fine. other times no. But in the darkroom, everytime was a bad one.
I usually cut the leader, but will do the 45 angle cut to the lead! And now I going to brush my reel...
PS: I did not bought, was loan to me, it's cheaper that way, but i didn't know that tey need to be clean after some use.
Thanks!

 

[dfoo]

With my plastic reels I don't bother to cut the leader. However, you should cut the tail of the film, otherwise the tape can touch the film and ruin a frame.

 

[40oz]

my plastic reels are great as long as they are dry. And as long as I cut the corners off the film prior to trying to load.

A friend has a pile of reels that appear to be exactly the same as mine, but he complains they get stuck every time despite clipping the corners. Could just be some plastic reels are better than others.

 

[Thardy]

Make sure reels are clean and very dry. Also after cutting the leader off , round the leading edge - that helps it to go on.

If that fails use the Samigon type reels. They are so easy my daughter loaded them perfectly, first try.

 

[David William White]

Film gets sticky when wet, too. Everyone has their favorite type of reel, and practice does help.

Every once in a while I like to remind people that you do not need to load film onto a reel to process it. As long as the film is submerged or dipped in developer (in the dark) for the requisite time, the film will develop nicely.

So if you've shot some film and are now worried about wrecking it during the loading, and haven't practiced in the light, then just mix up a pot of developer and gently stir the film around in it, or see-saw it through the developer.

Good luck!

 

[Keith]

Also make sure that there is not too sharp a curl at the edge of the film that is being fed into the reel ... if I notice this when loading I ease it by bending it the other way a little.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I have a set of plastic reels are are starting to give me trouble when loading film. When I looked at them closely I noticed some grey areas in the grooves. It hasn't become too much of an issue when loading film but I need to get around to scrubbing them with a toothbrush one of these days.

 

[Rhodes]

The first time I develop a film, was during the workshop of doing so. When we load the reels, I and another friend of mine, didn't cut the leader and the loading was smooth! Beginners’ luck I suppose.

 

[dfoo]

As I said earlier, I never cut the leader on commercially loaded film. On bulk loaded film I do, because I put a bit too much in the roll and need all the space I can get!

 

[Joao]

Reels ned to be really clean and dry, as said in other posts.
An aditional trick: Before loading try to warm the reels with an hair-dryer - this will take out all the traces of moisture from the grooves.
Good luck
Joao

 

[danwilly]

Also, be sure to make your cut between the sprocket holes.

 

[Rhodes]

I clean yesterday. Today, during the morning I proceed to loading again, and everything when good. Now, I just want that this happens again, in the dark room, with films that are to be develop.

 

[Borghesia]

I use plastic reels and put them on the central heating beforehand or blow them dry.
When using 35mm film I cut the beginning of the film (which goes into the reel first) - roundish.
In my changing bag, I make myself sure that the beginning of the film is directed enough into the reel, say 10 cm's.
After that I start spooling, without touching the film all too much, only winding the plastic reel.
In past times I was used to check if the film was steady and even in the reel, with my fingers. I experienced that when doing that 50% of the time the film get stuck.

 

[nikon_sam]

As I said earlier, I never cut the leader on commercially loaded film. On bulk loaded film I do, because I put a bit too much in the roll and need all the space I can get!

I have never ever loaded a roll of 35mm film without cutting the leader off...
I started years ago with bulk loaded rolls and then on to commercially loaded so I guess the practice of cutting just went along as normal...
Maybe I'll try not cutting the leader on my next roll...😱😀😎😱