Stearman Press leaking like crazy
Any other people developing 4X5 in a Stearman Press.
through time it starts to feel more and more unreliable.
Do others also have experience? The rubber closing off looks intact. But even when I close the cover in the dark I always feel a space between the cover and the tank. (I use duc tape to close it off)
And also while developing, especially using BLX, you see it pouring out :(
I think it is still a great tank to use overall, but would feel better if they improved it. Maybe with sealing on the outside to make shure it closes fully
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
At first mine leaked a lot, then I started filling it less which caused a better vacuum and it's been fine since, user error on my part.
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
Wet the gsket with water just before closing. You are squeezing it while putting the final cap on, right?
Kent in SD
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
I load mine in a changing bag so wetting the O-ring never has been a great option even though it’s probably the best option. After one leaky session my agitation protocol changed from inversion agitation to a more gentle two axis side-to-side agitation. That and “squeezing to create suction” minimizes leakage.
I’ve not noticed any negative impacts of reducing agitation violence. In fact, I use same agitation protocol for Paterson tank too.
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
Also... I stopped trying to put 475 ml in it. Only 450 and that helped reduce leakage.
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
Thanks guys,
I have considered the wetting the rubber thing. But did not try.
I do close the tank with the caps on it.
And fill it always to the top.
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
Don’t forget to squeeze when tightening the last cap.
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
I don't wet the o-ring, I use 475ml of solution, do the "squeeze play" with the caps on loosely, then tighten down the caps while squeezing the tank. It still leaks a little, but nothing problematic. Also, my tank reveals a very slight space between the lid and the tank with the lid fully pressed down. I've never noticed any particular issues because of this.
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
I had an issue a while back which turned out to be the O-ring. It had aged sufficiently over a couple of years that a replacement solved the problem. Mine involved a light leak. As others have noted, the squeeze is the key and not over-filled.
I get both caps on simultaneously, tighten one, then squeeze while tightening the other.
Re: Stearman Press leaking like crazy
I have been considering moving over to a patterson tank with the mod54.
Don't know, but I have no trust in the Stearman at this point no more and my images are to valuable to loose to such a problem.