Re: Film reels jamming (Developer tank)

> ... > [film jamming in plastic reels]

I found it is critical to feed the film into the reel
so it is perfectly perpendicular to the spirals.  If the roll
of unloaded film is off to the side then the film jams.

Another problem is wobbly reels: plastic reels aren't as well
fixed as SS reels and the two reels aren't necessarily parallel -
try wiggling the reels and see if this allows the film to
continue to slide in.

If the camera winds the film inside-out then the film can have
reverse curl that makes loading a problem.  But then neither
should the leading edge of the film be tightly curved inwards.

I find the same film perpendicularity issues with SS reels.  If
the film isn't perfectly centered in the reel or isn't feeding straight
in then the film will buckle in the first turn or two.  Hewes reels
superiority is, I believe, down to the hook arrangement that
grabs on to the sprocket holes - thus insuring the film is centered
and straight.

Centering 120 film under the central clip is, IMO, a real PITA.

I have never encountered photoflo residue.  I have been using
the same reels with photoflo for 40+ years, and all I ever
do is rinse them in hot water.  No residue yet.

-- 
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Darkroom Automation: F-Stop Timers, Enlarging Meters
http://www.darkroomautomation.com/index2.htm
n o lindan at ix dot netcom dot com