velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Andrew Mellor — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 11:05:40 GMT

thanks anyway, we are also quite limited on space so my options are few I think.

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Bob Russell — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 11:01:26 GMT

We have an ex-hospital Fuji machine. It is a bit of a TARDIS so not ideal for every practice. It was from an orthopaedic unit, I believe but processes 4 plates at a time and resolution is limited by the monitors, not the plates or machine.

Since we got it new units seem have become much less expensive. It was the only affordable way we could go digital at the time. It was a bit temperamental talking to the computer but for some reason it behaves itself now!

We can run each plate in less than a minute and X-ray every bit of a dogs leg in 10 minutes!

Fuji seem to have a good name but our machine is a bit of a one off (perhaps one of a few!) so perhaps others are better able to advise you!

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Andrew Mellor — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 10:45:34 GMT

Bob, which digital did you go for ? I totally agree there will be weeks where we haven't taken a single film and then when we need it use it the chemicals are spent or rollers are dirty just because it isnt being regularly used.

I think I am talking myself into buying digital because of the reduction in hastle!

Less than a year since I bought the practice and I seem to have had to replace / rebuild half the practice aaaarrrrgghhh !!!

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Bob Russell — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 09:35:55 GMT

Low throughput wet chemistry machines can cost the earth by the time you take into account the enormous waste of chemicals because of the machine sitting around much of the time.

We found it took so much effort to keep the unit clean and functioning that X-rays became a real chore. Now they are almost a pleasure!

Clearly this is not everyones solution and there must be a lot of good functioning used processors.

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Glenn Hodgson — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 22:34:22 GMT

Scotrad are good.

we worked out 28ish films a month to make a 12.k digital system "cheaper" than wet. We took into account chemicals, disposal, time etc....

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Rob Loxley — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 22:22:42 GMT

[quote user="Andrew Mellor"]a chemical automatic processor with arm sleeve thing so it does not need to be in a dark room that is reliable[/quote]

We sold ours for half of not a lot when we went digital, but there should be a number of good well cared for examples out there. When doing wet chemistry we always rated Phil at Medigraph Imaging

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 19:17:46 GMT

[quote user="Andrew Mellor"]Can anyone advise me on either 1: someone good to sort our current processor [/quote] Andrew, I tried to check where you are based but it doesn't say on your profile, at least I couldn't find it, but I use a guy called Roger Gibbs who is based in Luton (telephone numbers 01582 850216 or 07799 676733). He comes to me (Heathrow) so about 3/4 hrs journey and charges just £60 call out plus parts with no VAT. Ex Velopex engineer, reliable, doesn't try to recommend more than is necessary and has always sorted it out, even though it is now 25 years old. Very highly recommended.

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Andrew Mellor — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 16:57:17 GMT

great thanks for that .

Has anyone got or know anything about FIRE CR - claiming as cheap as chemical - is this because it is awful ?

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

zoe north — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 16:16:07 GMT

We use LJ processing services - James Jones (Jim) to service our Veloplex, he used to work for them before setting up on his own. Our machine is very reliable ( that's probably just broken it!) and Jim has serviced it for at least the last 5 years. His mobile number is 07717 214808 , home 01582 454863 email jim.w.jones@btinternet.com.

He occasionally works in ireland but has on occasion answered his mobile on holiday!

Re: velopex chemical x-ray processor broken again !

Bob Russell — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 13:50:30 GMT

Digital is a lot of money but check how much your processor is actually costing you. By the time you have factored in things such as chemical disposal it may be more than you think and digital might just be a bit more attractive. It has come down significantly in cost since we went digital!

You would probably do a lot more than 200 images once you realise just how much easier it is to get useful images.

If you are considering replacing your present processor then again think digital.

We use Photon and they managed to keep our Fuji processor soldiering on long after its best by date. We got really fed up with it and went digital. We X-ray more, get better results (that can be emailed to an expert if necessary) and would never go back to film under any circumstances short of WW3!