8mm Forum: Anyone want a better Adaptor ?

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Posted by Roy Neil (Member # 913) on May 04, 2010, 01:42 AM:

The response to Film-O-Clean has been so outstanding that I have a new product I am thinking about putting into production.

I have designed a new Adaptor for using Super8 reels on 16mm rewinds. The existing product that I own ( mfg by Neumade I believe ) is quite problematic in my experience. Many reels fit so snugly that it requires tools in order to remove the adaptor from the reel. Regardless of how loose/tight the reel fits on the adaptor I always seem to encounter a great deal of rotational instability ( thats a fancy way of saying the reels wobble like a bad drunk )

I designed this Adaptor to include a ReelNut ( for lack of a better term ) the Adaptor itself sports a spindle that is approximately 1/4" longer than needed to hold a Super8 reel. The protruding portion of the spindle is threaded, and the ReelNut threads on, retaining the reel to the Adaptor quite firmly.

Since the Adaptor has a longer spindle, the typical means of 'flipping' the end of the 16mm spindle to secure the reel is not used - since there is not room, and, because that is precisely what makes the reels wobble. Since the ReelNut is retaining the reel to the Adaptor, only a single setscrew is needed to retain the Adaptor to the 16mm spindle.

These photos of the prototype are not very flattering, I need to send a pair to Doug so he can photograph them properly.

http://www.videoglue.com/ftp/uploads/Adaptor/AdaptorPics.png

The results are nothing short of superlative - no more wobble and any reel I own fits on effortlessly.

I imagine the price would be approximately $50 ~ $60 depending upon costs. If I manufacture these would anyone be interested in them ?

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on May 04, 2010, 03:37 AM:

Roy,
Would these fit all 16mm rewinds?

Posted by Wayne Tuell (Member # 1689) on May 04, 2010, 10:58 AM:

Roy, you couldn't have used a better picture for the reel to use. THAT is the same model reel I have that I WON'T use with my current adapters being I have to hammer it back out of the reel!

I'll take a set assuming they will slide freely in the reels unlike the current adapter set on the market. [Big Grin]

Posted by Roy Neil (Member # 913) on May 04, 2010, 07:13 PM:

Michael - yes they fit all 16mm rewinds with a 5/16" square spindle.

Wayne - yes all the various reels I have work well. The Elmo 800' reel pictured in the photos slides on effortlessly.

If anyone uses 1200' reels then they will especially appreciate the new design. The blue plastic reels and the heavier solid metal reels both have severe stability issues when used with the Neumade style adaptors.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on May 05, 2010, 01:19 PM:

Ah, this is why I asked.
My rewinds are the Premier make - they have round spindles.
Darn!!!

Posted by Roy Neil (Member # 913) on May 06, 2010, 02:33 AM:

Michael, what diameter is the round spindle ? Is there a keyway ?

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on May 06, 2010, 02:42 AM:

I'll take a look when I get home, Roy.
Keyway??
Do you have an email address I could send a couple pics to?

Posted by Ugo Grassi (Member # 139) on May 06, 2010, 03:00 AM:

Hello Roy,
really nice job!
did you receive my email with an attached files about the HTI conversion?
bye
Ugo

Posted by Roy Neil (Member # 913) on May 09, 2010, 01:31 AM:

Ugo - I sent you an email directly, please post here if it does not arrive.

Michael - I was asking if there is a 'flange' on the spindle to keep the Adaptor from spinning independently of the spindle.

I sent a prototype to Wittner-Cinetec and they seem interested in distributing the Adaptors within the EU.

Here is my contact information Michael

Roy Neil
Neil Research Laboratories
165 East O'Keefe Street #17
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650 325 8480
www.film-supply.com

nrlabs >@< comcast >.< net

Posted by John Hermes (Member # 1367) on May 09, 2010, 01:52 AM:

Another problem with the Neumade Super 8 adapter is the pin has a tendancy to break over time. I use them with round 5/16" 35mm shafts on Hollywood rewinds. This shaft allows me to use 35mm, 16mm, Reg 8(with a spring clamp) reels, and Super 8 with the adapter.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on May 09, 2010, 03:06 AM:

Roy, the diameter is about 7mm and yes there is a flange to keep the reel steady.
I've sent a photo to your email address.

-Mike

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on June 02, 2010, 06:21 PM:

After a messy rewind fiasco involving 1600' feet of Super 8mm film and wobbly reels, I know I'm ready for new adaptors!

Doug

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 03, 2010, 05:15 AM:

Roy
You mention an approximate price, is this for the pair, or just one?

I was in touch recently with Wittner and they say that their adaptor has no lock to hold the Super 8 spool on the adaptor, this seems only half a job.

They also say they are working on an update that will feature some form of securing device. I was advised to watch their Website for any future information.

Posted by Glenn Brady (Member # 715) on June 03, 2010, 08:43 AM:

I'd be interested in a pair.

Posted by Roy Neil (Member # 913) on June 04, 2010, 12:36 AM:

Sorry for my late reply guys !

Doug - I have a pair ready to send you to review and photograph.... along with all the other gear I was supposed to send you months ago. Wittner-Cinetec has just placed another order so I have to handle that before I can get your box out, but I have everything for you.

Maurice - The 'guesstimate' price I listed above price is for a pair of adaptors. Wittner-Cinetec is most likely telling you about the prototype adaptor I sent to them a few months back as they have requested several in their latest order.

Glenn - I would be happy to get you a pair as soon as I have inventory.

I wanted to have inventory ready last month, however the shop I hire to create my custom tooling for production has been too busy to fulfill my order - I hope to remedy this by the end of next week. After I have tooling in hand, production will commence immediately and inventory available within a day.

The price I listed above is probably very close to being accurate, I just need to factor in the tooling/time after I get the tooling completed.

Any EU sales should be handled directly by Wittner-Cinetec http://www.wittner-kinotechnik.de/home.php

Also ... even though our website ( http://www.film-supply.com ) can accommodate customers from the UK and Canada, if you find it more expedient ( VAT, Currency, etc ) to purchase from Germany instead of the USA then by all means please contact Wittner-Cinetec directly.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 04, 2010, 09:30 AM:

Roy
This is a very helpful reply.
EU sales include VAT, so any UK purchase from Germany would not incur any extra fee, whereas an import from the USA would attract VAT if the item being imported was worth more than £18 GBP, i.e. approx $27 USD.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on June 04, 2010, 10:40 AM:

Roy, I would be interested in a pair down the road a few months.

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