Trouble w/ Bulk Loading?

[Lonius Funk]

Hi,

I have always been a bit hesitant to buy a bulk loading system, even though it would save me quite a bit of money. Have most people had very little problems with these..such as scratching of film when it comes out of the film cassettes or has the film cassette tops ever popped off?

If anyone has a system that has shown much better results for bulk loading and cassettes that work very well..please let me know. I'll appreciate any responses. Thanks

 

[iceman]

i use a Watson 100 bulk loader with either used film cassettes from the labs, or some re-usable ones i picked up. no major problems so far.

i had some scratched negs sometime ago, but it was from some particles in the felt of the cassette. just dump that and use another.

with bulk loading, you'll need some dust free environment to keep your equipment, esp the cassettes.
but nope, nothing major to worry about.

 

[RayPA]

Bulk loading is well worth the time and minimal expense to get started. I have about 5 Watson-style bulk loaders. I've used them for years. No problem.


,

 

[peter_n]

No problems so far. I use a felt-free bulk loader (Alden 74 - they are still being made... 🙂) and used cassettes from my local 1 hr. lab. I only use each cassette once.

 

[RayPA]

No problems so far. I use a felt-free bulk loader (Alden 74 - they are still being made... 🙂) and used cassettes from my local 1 hr. lab. I only use each cassette once.

I've got an Alden, too. I *think* mine might be bakelight, but I don't know for certain. It just has that look and feel to it...very similar to THIS ONE on the *bay (noconnectionwithsellerandIreceivenopercentagefromnorwillIbenefitfromthesaleoftheabovereferenceditemnotliableformisfortunesrelatedtothesaleorreceiptofthisitemlinkprovidedforillustrativepurposesonly--whew!)


ray

 

[bsdunek]

I've bulk loaded for years with a Watson loader. Just inspect the felts on your cassetts to insure cleanleness and that they aren't coming loose. I use cassettes made to reload. The end cap bayonets on and off. I also have some Nikon cassetts which should be good into the next century - they are really built.
Not only does bulk loading save money, you can load whatever length rolls you want. While I generally load 36 exp. if I want just a short roll for a quick job I do that.
Try it - you won't be sorry. 😎

 

[Cale Arthur]

I use cassettes made to reload. The end cap bayonets on and off.

Which cassettes are those, Bruce? I have every ounce of faith in my Nikon cassettes, but i've been skeptical of some of the 'standard issue' snap-cap examples.

--c--

 

[jky]

I have a couple of Watson 66B loaders (or something like that) and have only ever had 1 problem with one of them....
sometimes the sprockets on the counter don't catch, which results in having to open the loader to rewind the unused film and start again - all of this in the dark, which really isn't that difficult.
Otherwise no issues...

 

[eli griggs]

I have several types of loaders, both the felt and non-felt types and they all work well enough. I also am using the plastic type cassettes and have had no problems with them, though I am sure to place a piece of tape on the 'lid' just-in-case.

I have found that the blue painters tape made by 3M works best for film as it feels a bit thicker than regular masking tape and will hold quite well without leaving a sticky residue on the spool or cassettes. Scotch tape is a plague on film work and IMO should never be used.

Ilford films use to come in reusable cassettes, is that still true? I've got some HP-5 I've yet to shoot/develope so I can't say for sure.

Every now and again run some painters tape through the felt on any loader and cassettes you use to pick up bit of whatever might be lurking to scratch your film and LOOK at the leaders of your film as you load it for obvious scratches.

Lastly, when looking at your cassettes for condition, as soon as you decide one is too messed up to reload, crush it so it can't tempt you or find its way back into your good stash.

Cheers

 

[Lonius Funk]

Thanks everyone for your comments and Eli..I appreciate those tips and will put them to use.