Home-made Film Developing Tank for ANY Size Film

Описание: This video shows you the finished product of and explains how to make a $19.54 film developing tank that can take any size film.

Parts list:

Three-foot lengths of 3" ABS plastic pipe
Three-foot length of 2" ABS plastic pipe
One 3" pipe end (I used a cupped end to improve strength)
Two 2" plastic pipe caps (these should be inexpensive; I used knock-out type caps)
One tube of super glue
One stainless steel developing tank lid
Some electricians tape
Some spare, small pieces of plastic
60-grit sandpaper
Two rubber bands

Using the sandpaper, rough the two-inch pipe's outer surface until it's completed roughed. This will help get film developer behind the film.

Wash the roughed pipe with water and dry thoroughly.

Glue the 2" pipe caps into place with a single but complete bead of super glue. Let sit to dry. This will form the inner core.

Rough the inner and out surfaces of the rounded 3" pipe cap and outer surface of the 3" pipe where the cap will overlap it. Wash both with water.

Using a complete double bead of super glue, glue the 3" end cap onto the 3" pipe. Set aside to dry. This forms the tank.

With the inside core dry, glue four evenly-spaced pieces of plastic to each end. Be sure not to use pieces that will make the inner core too wide to fit inside of the tank. I used parts of a 120 spool for spacers. These help keep the film from contacting the tank wall during developing.

Put one rubber band around the inner core at each end. One of these will remain in place and the other will move depending on where the film ends.

Be sure to let this sit until the glue is completely dry. With a 3" pipe and 2" core, the tank will require about 1,800 milliliters to fill. With only one roll, that developer can be reused again a number of times or re-poured into your bottle of stock developer.

To attach the film, put the rubber band over the edge of one end of the roll. Check the video to see how I did that. Make sure the rubber band does not cover the film in such a way as to impair the image. Load the film in a spiral, emulsion side outward, and affix the lower film end with the other rubber band. The other rubber band may need to be moved for this.

Remember that any time film is not safely secured within its roll or cassette, the lights need to be out and you need to be in darkness. Due to this tank's size, a dark room (like a bathroom) is needed as no changing bags are large enough for this device.

Place the film tank lid on and secure it with a double-wrap of electrician's tape. Place more electrician's tape on the lid like straps to hold it to the tank. THE INNER CORE IS BUOYANT AND WILL LIFE THE TANK LID OFF (RUINING YOUR FILM) IF THE LID IT NOT TAPED IN PLACE.

In the video I talk about doing inversions. I actually recommend against that. You can simply spin this on it's central axis on the floor. Some gentle taps do a lot to move developing liquid around inside the tank.

Load and empty this tank carefully as it's heavy and awkward to use. Building and using this tank come exclusively at your own risk.