SOS! Using Leader Retriever

[lesged]

Please help an old man remember how to use a gadget he bought last century. I must have purchased this leader retriever (real nomenclature?) 20, 30 maybe 40 years ago.

I left the instruction sheet  back home. I have an urgent need to know how to use it so I can retract the leader from an exposed roll of Fuji 400 I bulk-wound into a non-reloadable cassette  (twice!) I've tried every way I thought it should be done, but keep failing after dozens of tries.

Of course there is the option to break the cassette open, but this is the second time with the same roll that I have accidentally rewound the leader into two separate non-reloadable cassettes. I broke the first one open, in my changing bag, and taped the end onto the tab of another used cassette all by feel --and it worked.

I've been  using the technique of utilizing empty cassettes I got from Walgreen that had a bit of film protruding from the cassette and taping my bulk film to it. I've got many dozens of Agfa cassettes at home with exposed film in them. I can get more "freebie" cassettes from Walgreen, but that doesn't help my memory, which I want so much to restore, at least for this issue.
 
It's all about my stubborn Taurus nature. I want to know how to make this gadget work that once was routinely used successfully. It may sound foolish, but when you reach my age, I think you'll appreciate that the easy way out is not the best way to keep all the marbles moving.

I pasted three photos of the tool.  Maybe someone has the instruction sheet and can post it, or explain step by step how to use this tool.

Needless to say, I would be thrilled to master the use of this extraction tool once again.

P.S. I had the same problem last winter and ended up by buying the more modern, larger tool they use at Walgreen's, from them, and found that one easier to use-- plus I had the instructions-- but alas, I left it home in Massachusetts.

[Philip]

Oh, good luck, Les!  My fingers are crossed for you. And not just out of sympathy.

I bought a more modern film retriever (the Chinese one advertised on eBay, etc.) a couple of years ago. I used it successfully a couple of times, put it aside, and when I took it out last week I found I didn't know how to use it any more!  Mine is not precisely like yours, but close enough that I think I'll be able to use instructions based on yours.

I'm looking forward to a reply.

[martolod]

insert
twist film spool 'till you hear a slight click
close or push in the tab on the extractor to lock onto film
pull out.

that is the translated version of my HAMA film extractor.
it took me a few go to get the technique right but it's easy enough.

just remember to insert fully closed, then slide tabs apart, then twist and click, then slide together, then pull out.

and if you ain't got the film....do it again......and again......and again.....ad nauseum.....

[sandeha]

Yup, what he says, pretty much.

I had one years ago that never worked, but about ten years back I bought a Konica "Film Picker 4" with three tabs and that still works every time.  Of course it helps that graphic instructions are printed on one side. 

[radiophoto]

Of course, Les, if all else fails, you can take the film to Walgreen's and ask them to retrieve the leaders for you with their counter-top device.  That should be a courtesy service, they've done it for me in the past.  I do have a film picker that I bought on eBay, but mine was made in India and I can generally get it to work on the 2nd or 3rd go-round.    "Slumdog Film Retriever", hehehe.

[jamesmck]

Les - The instructions you've gotten here are right.  I have my extractor (like yours) stored in a 120 Adox film container, with instructions.  I can scan these and send to you if you like.  I always had issues with this gadget, and got a better one (maybe like the one you left behind).

J.

[Philip]

I won't spreak for Les but, sez I, there must be a magic touch, or a secret password, or something, about doing this. I cannot make mine work.

I'll keep trying.

Good luck, Les!  I hope you figure out the password.

[Olypen]

Hello,

My retriever looks to be the same as yours; it was sold in USA by Satter out of Denver.  Maybe I can add a few points from the Satter instructions that will help.

Insert the retriever in the closed position (both claws together), claws curving down, into the canister with the left-hand side of the retriever all the way to the left side of the canister (the side with the protruding hub).

Hold the little tab on the upper claw in contact with the edge of the canister opening so that it (the upper claw) doesn't move.  Pull out the lower claw all the way.

Using the protruding hub on the canister and holding the upper claw still, rotate the film spool counter-clockwise till you hear a click (or a few).  When you get a good strong click, stop and reverse direction-- turning the hub in a clockwise direction; this could take 2 to 3 turns depending on the film load.  When the turning gets hard (won't go any farther), push the lower claw in.  This should grab the film between the two claws and you can slowly pull the retriever out with the film between the two claws.  If it slips out, repeat.  If you aren't hearing strong clicks put a little pressure on the underside of the retriever, and you should get the clicks and eventually the result that you want. 

These are basically the Satter instructions adapted to a text only presentation.  Hope this helps and works.

[jamesmck]

Les - Check your gmail.

J.

[br1078lum]

Les,

Upward pressure on the retriever is what is needed once you get the leader in between the tabs, otherwise it just slips out.

PF

[lesged]

Thanks Philip, Kalle, Sandeha, Pete, James, Olypen and Phil,  for your suggestions, comments and detailed instructions.

James---What you sent by email is the very same instruction sheet I got with the
retriever.

Pete,

I was embarrassed to ask them at Walgreen to retract  the film, because I've asked them many times and felt ashamed for rewinding without leaving part of the leader Outside the cassette. That how I came to ask if they could tell me where I could buy one like the one they use. The clerk ask the manager last year and he said they had an extra one and found out what they paid for it and let me buy it in its bubble pack. It was a bit over $12, IIRC. it was made somewhere in the Pacific rim, might be a Konica. That one worked much easier, but sometimes took 2, 3 4 tries.
 
I tried your technique Kalle over & over, & over & over, ad nauseum then was so frustrated I got a beer opener and tore open the >*!^?~ cassette in a changing bag and loaded the tank with the "cursed" film.    

I broke it open and souped the film before I read several references about pushing up on the bottom claw/tab to hear the significant click.  Next time, I'll try that and all the other tips, if I screw up again.. To help in that regard, I'll put masking tape on the back of the Nikon EM with large letters : “Don't Fully Rewind!”

Nelsonfoto members always come through when I get stuck with a problem. Thanks a million.

Les