Agfa Rapid Cartridge Film Loading Tool

To load a Agfa RAPID cartridge with 35 mm film from a 135 cartridge. 

To use my Yashica Half 17 RAPID of 1965 I needed a RAPID cartridge with film inside.
Unfortunately these are no longer produced (since 1990 ?).
But empty RAPID cartridges are still available. 

I found a design on Thingiverse to load 35 mm film into empty RAPID cartridges.
As I was not completely happy with the design (work in progress since 2020!)  I decided to redesign from scratch.


Printing
I printed with PLA, 0.16 mm layer height, 3 perimeters.
 

Assembly
Place the axle through the axle hole of the Dark Box.
Push the axle into the gear halves.
Use a M6x16 mm bolt to assemble the cranked handle.
Glue the cranked handle to the axle.
For better operation of the cranked handle glue the Bottom under the Dark Box.

Operation
Allways handle photographic film in subdued light!
Place the 35 mm film cartridge and the empty RAPID cartridge in the Dark Box.
Slide the 35 mm film into to RAPID cartridge.
Close the Dark Box with the Lid, using two M6x16 mm bolts,
Turn the cranked handle 15 rotations anticlockwise. Now the RAPID cartridge is loaded with film.
Remove the Lid.
Cut the 35 mm film with scissors.


Note: Any original Agfa Rapid cassette works great with this tool. Unfortunately all 3D printable Rapid cassettes did not work well because of too much internal drag. Ideas are welcome!


Attribution
This is a redesign of “The Agfa Rapid Film Recharge Project” by jelgervandijk. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4614923