Now have: Jobo tank. WTB: Broken CPE2 or similar.

[Adrian Brewster]

Hi
I am trying to get into e6 processing on an extremely restricted budget, does anyone have a Jobo 2521 or 2523 tank and 2509 (with or without "N") 5x4 spiral going spare. Will be making diy handcranked version of CPE2, can't be that hard!
Failing that, would consider a combiplan tank or even just a combiplan sheet film hanger.
Any other suggestions on low budget e6 processing gratefully received. Have been using system 4 tank for taco style b&w processing up to now, assume this won't work for e6 chemistry.
Thanks
Adrian

[IanG]

Adrian, I've been using the plain 2000 series tanks since 1976, mine are pre-Rotary and they work well using inversion agitation.

Ian

[Patrick Dixon]

How do you tell if it's a 2509 or a 2509N?

I have a 4x5 reel but I don't have any of those wing things for it. I've never used it, but it seems OK.

[Adrian Brewster]

Hi Ian and Patrick
I didn't know there was a plain 2000 version but there is soo much I don't know. I guess the major attraction of rotary style is 250ml of chemistry, how much does the tank use with inversion?
I think the only difference with the 2509N are the wings which are designed to stop the slosh peeling off or distorting the outside sheets if you are using 6 but I understand it's not much of a problem if you are only processing 4 sheets. If you are interested in selling I can smash open the piggy bank and see how much I can afford.
Thanks
Adrian

[Patrick Dixon]

Ah right, I guess mine's the N-less one then. Feel free to make me an offer I can't refuse, otherwise I shall be forced to eBay it ...

[Adrian Brewster]

Hi Patrick
I'm a bit confused here ( as usual) are you offering tank and spiral, as one is not much use without the other. Any info on condition would be useful too. Picture would be great.
Regards
Adrian

[Patrick Dixon]

No I don't have a tank - hence my non-requirement for the spiral.

Condition is fine AFAICS - it looks much the same as any other picture of a 2509 reel.

[Adrian Brewster]

Hi Patrick
I'm not sure of my chances of finding an appropriate tank so can I hold your offer in reserve while I keep on looking. Will PM you if something comes up.
Thanks
Adrian

[IanG]

I may have a tank, a very early 2000 series with 3 120 spirals, but I think they need a loading device, but I know it'll take 2 5x4 spirals. I've used it a couple of times

I'm back in the UK this weekend so let me look, and then perhaps see if Patrick's spiral will fit, if that's the case we can sort something out for you.

Ian

[Adrian Brewster]

Hi Ian and Patrick
Thanks for your replies. After some research I have found out that the 2509 (without the N) is a real pig to load so I think I am going to have to be patient and wait for a 2509N reel to come along and I suspect an early 2000 tank designed for inversion and two reels would drink more chemistry than I can afford, so I think I will really need a 2521/3.
Regards
Adrian

[dave_whatever]

Adrian, I was recently after a 2509N and got the distinct impression that they don't come along that often. I bit the bullet and got one brand new from Firstcall. There are however some with a tank now listed on here. You might want to check if its the non-N version or not. I've got the N version and they're easy to load by hand, no problems there. Good luck.

[Adrian Brewster]

Hi Dave
Great minds... Yes I had just found that and have sent an email to enquire but it is stretching my very limited budget way beyond snapping point and I would stand no chance of affording new tank and reel. I guess if nothing turns up I will just have to save up for the next twelve months and then bite the bullet.
Thanks
Adrian

[dave_whatever]

When buying all my E6/jobo kit I also ended up spending a bit more than I ideally wanted, I know the feeling. What you've got to remember is long term paying a few quid extra now is going to be nothing compared to the money you'll be saving by not using a lab.

I know its frustrating, but all said and done it might mean you break even after 6 months not 5 or whatever, which in the long run still means you're winning by a large margin.

[DJ]

I've been watching the Jobo stuff on Ebay lately having just kitted myself up to do my own processing.

The 2509N reels are rare on Ebay, and when they come up there is usually a fair bit of interest because of that, they routinely sell for close to the price of a new one...

There was one on the other day, a 2521 with 2509N and the 2508 loader base and 5x4 guide, it was on a BuyItNow of £110 plus a tenner for postage. It lasted a few hours and was gone, was a bit miffed to have missed it because I wanted the loader, I bit the bullet and bought a new tank and reel from Firstcall.

[DJ]

There was one on the other day, a 2521 with 2509N and the 2508 loader base and 5x4 guide, it was on a BuyItNow of £110 plus a tenner for postage. It lasted a few hours and was gone, was a bit miffed to have missed it because I wanted the loader, I bit the bullet and bought a new tank and reel from Firstcall.

You know when you have one of those "oh no, how did I miss that..." moments...?

Well dopey here bought a CPE/2 plus various drums etc on Ebay a few weeks ago, three drums (2840, 1525 and 1520), but not the drum I wanted for 4x5 processing. Those drums were discarded into the box they came in with a "must put those back on Ebay" mental note.

Having now finally succumbed and bought a brand new 2521 drum and 2509N reel, I know what they look like, and had a moment of clarity...

By bastardising the component parts of the other drums that came with my setup, I very easily managed to to create a 2521 drum, just the same as the one I splashed £64 on....

So for anyone else who is in a similar position....

If you take a 2820 print test drum, or 2840 print drum and remove the lid and the smaller bottom section, that is the same as a 2521, without the funnel. Then you need the funnel section from a 15xx series lid, and short centre column from a 1520/1525 film drum or similar, clip the funnel into the lid and pop the centre column in and you have a 2521 combi drum.

So if like me you have a 2840 and 1520 drum kicking around, you have the parts to make up a 2521 drum. Doh.