8mm Forum: 35mm Long playing unit for a Philips FP3

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Posted by Robert Tucker (Member # 386) on March 17, 2007, 06:26 PM:

Hi,

Can any one help me please, i'm am trying to find a 35mm Long playing Tower unit that i can use with a Philips FP3 portable 35mm projector.

I have been told i can get long playing units that show about 6000ft at a time? I am also after a stand or pedestal which i can sit my projector on as i don't have one at the moment, any ideas would be of great help

Could i make a long playing unit myself? as i know these are not cheap to buy but i am opened to suggestions ?

thanks

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on March 18, 2007, 04:46 AM:

Hi Robert,

I just sold one for $450!

They are available, two main types were available in Australia one made locally for Greater Union Theatres has two 13,000 foot spools sitting one above the other. The unit ran from a washing machine type electric motor and stood behind or next to the projector.

The other is the Eprad Double MUT system, made by Eprad in the USA. These could also mount in either location with the spools sitting alongside each other. Both work very well and were used in many theatres where space for a platter was unavailable.

They are still used by various indoor, outdoor and portable drive-ins here in Australia behind everything from a JGS or C & W portable all the way to a Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 or Kinoton FP30.

I'm sure those involved in the 35mm game in the UK could tell you what made it to the UK.

David

Posted by David Ahrens (Member # 714) on March 18, 2007, 06:36 AM:

HI Robert
A DIY spool tower is fairly easy to make. Here are some pictures of mine.

A fellow collector supplied me with a torque motor thankfully with a 5/16 shaft. I use it roughly in the same way the old Spondon Super 8 long play units worked. The torque motor is strong enough to turn a 7000ft reel full of film but the low torque stops the motor from dragging the film out of the projector if you know what I mean. You just have to monitor the take up reel on start up, as it starts slowly and then spins up which can snap the film if you dont pay attention but I soon got the hang of it. Floating hub spools would not suffer from this though I believe

If you are looking to go down this root I would advise getting yourself some large split reels so you can leave the film ready built. Because believe me you will soon get tired of building and then breaking down your features. I had a box company make me some boxes to store my features in. With my 7k spilt reels I can fit most 8 or 9 reel features on just two reels.

David.

Posted by Robert Tucker (Member # 386) on March 18, 2007, 08:16 AM:

Hi David,

Well it looks really impressive, could you tell me how or where to get the right motors for this plus the spindle hubs and if possible do you have any plans on how you made your Tower.

Another issue for me I don’t have a stand a stand for my FP3 what can I use as a substitute. For example when I use the old film magazine that came with the projector.

Also where do I get 7000ft split reels as I assume they are hard to find??

Thanks

Posted by Ralf Hoff (Member # 36) on March 25, 2007, 07:15 AM:

Hello Robert,

for myself I'm also looking for a towerunit 35mm. I've seen this on ebay germany, but I think it will be to expensive for 1.500 EURO. This Unit plays 2x 4.000m but one side will be not working, it has to be repaired. On the other hand the buyer have to organize the transport for self. But interesting to seen.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Spulenturm-fuer-4000-meter-Film-mit-2-x-4000-meter-Spule_W0QQitemZ180100155148QQcategoryZ28892QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Ralf

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