Hi steve,
I admit not folowing all your post in detail, but did you try as a start to go the "regular" way, ie expose your Tmax 100 (if that is the film you use) at say 80 ASA, develop in XTtol 1:1 and take it from there (or any other established and proven combination), and that go to more demanding routines ?
Good luck,
Cor
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