Ambitious Drum Processor

[Jac@stafford.net]

Just sharing and wondering if anyone has seen the same. I got it from a photo lab that closed.

Can do 24 sheets of 4x5 at a time. With one more reel it would be 32.

Pictures:

Side view showing drive socket and filling hole. (http://www.digoliardi.net/big-drum/a-side-view.jpg)
One reel. (http://www.digoliardi.net/big-drum/b-one-reel.jpg)
Three reels, one with blank film loaded. (http://www.digoliardi.net/big-drum/c-three-reels.jpg)
Removable, loading lid. (http://www.digoliardi.net/big-drum/e-lid.jpg)
Drive and fill closer. (http://www.digoliardi.net/big-drum/d-bottom.jpg)


The lid has a supple seal and can slide down into the drum when using fewer reels.

[Jim C.]

Looks pretty cool, best that I found was that they're from a company call King Concept
that made automated processors, there's one on eBay now that's has Arkay brand # 171455457437

[Jac@stafford.net]

Looks pretty cool, best that I found was that they're from a company call King Concept
that made automated processors, there's one on eBay now that's has Arkay brand # 171455457437

You must be a search guru! Thank you for the lead. I am such a dummy and I will look at '171455457437'

And a departing question: Would anyone here consider using one?

[Jac@stafford.net]

Looks pretty cool, best that I found was that they're from a company call King Concept
that made automated processors, there's one on eBay now that's has Arkay brand # 171455457437

It does not look large enough to take this drum, but it has the very same drive config! We shall see.
.

[Liquid Artist]

I wouldn't likely process 24 sheets of film with one. If I did something would probably go wrong.

However I would use one for batches up to 1/2 that size. Especially from an event where I may have several similar photos.

While processing batches that large I would change the chemistry with every batch.

[Jim C.]

It does not look large enough to take this drum, but it has the very same drive config! We shall see.
.

The picture is deceiving since there's no other common object like a soda can to scale to,
but if you guess that the control buttons are about an inch wide that unit is close to 35 - 40 inches wide
give or take. Your picture of the reels with loaded film makes me guesstimate that the tank is probably
20-24" long and a post on photo net confirmed my guess, so that unit on the bay will probably work.
It's also freight shipping to it's large and heavy too. Ask the seller a question, the listing doesn't offer much info.

There really isn't much info out there, it was also known as a Image Maker II
there are 2 posts on Photo net including one from the
designer here - http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/004ek4

I would give it a try if it was cheap enough, and if there were 5x7 and 8x10 reels.

[Jac@stafford.net]

The picture is deceiving since there's no other common object like a soda can to scale to,
but if you guess that the control buttons are about an inch wide that unit is close to 35 - 40 inches wide
give or take. Your picture of the reels with loaded film makes me guesstimate that the tank is probably
20-24" long [...]

There really isn't much info out there, it was also known as a Image Maker II
there are 2 posts on Photo net including one from the
designer here - http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/004ek4

Thanks for the link, Jim!

EDIT: My drum length minus the drive/filler spout - 19.5". Diameter - 7.5"

[HMG]

How much chemistry does it require? Is it light tight (I assume so)? Could you use watertight spacers instead of one or 2 of the reels to reduce the volume.

I could see this resting on 2 rollers (either in or out of a temperature bath) driven by a low rpm motor connected to the drive with a common socket.

[Jac@stafford.net]

How much chemistry does it require? Is it light tight (I assume so)? Could you use watertight spacers instead of one or 2 of the reels to reduce the volume.
Chemistry is poured into the drive end. It is all light tight.

The top loading lid (http://www.digoliardi.net/big-drum/e-lid.jpg) fits inside the drum and has a large pliable seal to keep chemistry in. You can remove reel(s) and push the lid against the reel(s) remaining in the drum. Then put a spacer against the outside of the lid. That way less chemistry is required.

As to volume of chemistry, it would depend upon the chemistry (developer) chosen because some developers require a minimum per film area. Generally, I would estimate by taking 30% of the volume of a cylinder 7" diameter (3.5" radius) by 5" length per reel.

The driving end is tapered slightly so I'm sure a common socket will fit somewhere along its length. Being tapered also allows it to fit even when slightly worn.

[Jim C.]

Thanks for the link, Jim!

EDIT: My drum length minus the drive/filler spout - 19.5". Diameter - 7.5"

So it seems that the machine on the bay would be a perfect fit !
The processor would probably have been a decent competitor to Jobo had it not been
strangled to death by the company that bought out the original company.

[ic-racer]

It is missing something...like the whole rest of the machine :)

[Jac@stafford.net]

It is missing something...like the whole rest of the machine :)

Details, details. Seriously, for occasional use wouldn't a manual roller base suffice? I do suspect there is more required than the auction shows, such as space for the chemicals and a cart to schlep it around.

[Wayne]

Is that a chemical warmer on top of the machine? Looks like a bunch of holes you might put bottles in.

[Jim C.]

Is that a chemical warmer on top of the machine? Looks like a bunch of holes you might put bottles in.

From the description that was posted on Photo net it seems it's more like a Jobo ATL 1000
rather than siphoning out of bottles at pre programmed times, you pour chems into the machine ?
All guesses without someone who actually uses one posting a video.

$300 bucks and whatever the freight is will get you the machine. ;)

[Jim C.]

Found another tidbit of info and picture of what seems to be a bigger unit -

http://photographytraining.tpub.com/14209/css/14209_270.htm