Cassette Problems

I have had trouble lately with binding of reloaded Minox cassettes. It appears the spool shrinks and binds on the cover light trap. These cassettes used to work, and have not been subjected to excessive heat or moisture. Anyone else have this problem?

Possible causes

 

1. The film is too long

2. The film is thicker , and you did not reduce the film length

No. It's the inside diameter of the spool binds on the light trap profusion inside the cap. This is before any film is involved. It's as if the spool has shrunk. If they were really new cassettes, I would think there might still be some shrinkage, but these are years old. Still puzzled.

Could you ease the tightness with an application of metal polish and twist it back and forth to get it free? The moldings are very thin but it might not take much.

Alternatively canauba wax polish like Buff-up (again v. little) doesn't migrate thus being no threat to the film.

I must say it is rare.

Interesting idea, Murray_kelly. I think the metal polish idea might be best, and a little lubrication won't hurt. I'll try that. The real puzzle to me (maybe it's the engineer in me) is why they are binding now after many years and several cycles of use.

Wear, tare, and Murphy's Law just to frustrate you.

Yep, Murphy's Law - probably the best answer, Troll.