8mm Forum: How to tell if your projector is scratching films?

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Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on December 22, 2008, 03:10 PM:

Hey all!
I was showing a copy of "The Snowman" last night and I realized as I was watching it that a Sankyo S800 that I use to own had scratched the print!! Crikey mate!
That was not good news. I realized it was that machine because I recorded it with the GS1200 (audio) and then played it once on there. Then I played it halfway through the Sankyo and lo and behold...the scratch ....a nice long black one was on the left side for half the reel and then it disappeared from whence it came. Now I know we have discussed this before but can someone either point me to the thread or in 587 words or less tell me a way to test a machine. I DONT want to do that again!

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on December 22, 2008, 03:16 PM:

Alan,

Not sure this is the best way but I get a length of new clear leader that I thread in a loop and then run this for a few minutes through the projector. I then examine it closely to see if there are any marks

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on December 22, 2008, 03:38 PM:

Tony, I would have never thought of that with the white leader. i need to try that. Lets wrack up the Eumig with some big garrish scratches, and then put some white leader through.

How about some "Leader-hosen"?

All kidding aside, it sounds like a very good idea!

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on December 23, 2008, 03:28 PM:

What I do (with 16mm) is make a loop of clear (not white) leader and thread it in the projector. You can mark your splice with a grease pencil and arrow. Then just turn the projector on and what the screen. As the film makes it second and third pass you'll know if the film is getting scratched. If is from the start, then the problem is above the gate and between the first sprocket and the gate. If it shows up after a loop, it's the gate or after.

Then you need to run a piece of clear leader and then remove it from the projector and examine it for the scrach. Mark the frame in the gate and you can then determine what the culprit is from the distance from the gate.

The loop as a quick check will let you know if the projector has a gate problem before you commit your print to the projector.

Usually these things are easy to fix. Dirt or old emulsion piled up somewhere although at times it can be a burr on a roller or shaft.

John

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on December 23, 2008, 03:51 PM:

There is no substitute for thoroughly cleaning the gate area, sprockets and rollers before and after every use. Not saying that this will prevent ALL scratches but, it will go a long way.I am amazed at the number of people I've come across in this hobby who look on projector cleaning as a "once-in-a-while" affair.

-Mike

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on December 23, 2008, 05:04 PM:

Michael,

I fully agree. Since I got back into 8 and 16, I have always been in the habit of removing the plate every single time and 'doing' the path with alcohol and/or air, depending.

Especially with the ST1200, I am being vigilant. Stuff can hide easily in those little paths. The Eikis, being bigger, are more of a "hands-on, swab-down-the-deck" kind of thing.

But every time is the golden rule.

Claus.

Posted by James E. Stubbs (Member # 817) on January 13, 2009, 08:28 PM:

As I don't watch films too frequently, I clean my projectors EVERY TIME and often times inbetween films.
Cheers,

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on January 14, 2009, 06:04 PM:

Sometimes with a brand new print, I will run it for about 30 seconds, then stop the film and run it in reverse. If I don't notice any scratches after a few seconds, I can assume the projector wont scratch it, and I will continue screening the print.

Still, regular maintenance is important. I would recommend cleaning the gate at least a few times a year, depending on how often you use the projector.

James.

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