8mm Forum: How to re-spool Technicolor cartridge into normal 8mm reel?

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Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on November 18, 2010, 04:32 PM:

I have several 400" technicolor film cartridge going to be re-spooled into normal 8mm reels.

ps: This cartridge is used to be played with the Technicolor Projector for continuous loop.

First, I encounter a problem that the cartridge does not have screw but something looks like a nail. Can I open the cartridge without damaging it? How can we open it?

Secondly, (I finally broke one cartridge) when I opened the cartridge and cut the film to get the leader, I faced a problem that film will be twisted because it didn't have a reel inside (but more like film on core). It took hours to finish it.

Any simple way to move the film to the reel?

regards,

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on November 18, 2010, 06:18 PM:

Hi Winbert-

Sorry I don't have an answer [Frown]

.

I bought a couple of those carts about ten years ago, and I had the same problem. I thought long and hard how to do it, but in the end, there was no easy way that I could think of.

So, I just busted it open, threaded the end leader onto a 400 foot reel, and rewound it, s-l-o-w-l-y. Afterwards, I had to clean the film, but it was fine.

Lots of patience!

James.

Posted by Spencer Bradley (Member # 2145) on November 18, 2010, 06:50 PM:

I had the same problem. I got two for pretty cheap. I busted one open and it took over an hour to get it on a regular reel. I threw away the other one.

Posted by Maurizio Di Cintio (Member # 144) on November 19, 2010, 01:48 AM:

Can you guys post a photo of these cartridges?
Thank you

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on November 19, 2010, 03:01 PM:

Hi Maurizio,

i don't take picture of my cartridges, but I could get some pictures from Ebay.

The Cartridge:

Projector Technicolor 1000 (with a viewing booth):

So the bigger cartridge is the bigger capacity. I believe, max is 400 feet.

Because of the different shape of cartridge for different length, making the projector is not compatible between small cartridge and the bigger ones.

For the above projector, actually it is projecting to the wall like our normal projector. However for the above case, because it was used for presentation by a car dealer, it has a viewing both placed right in front of the lens.

I understand beside "Technicolor" there were several other brands for film cartridge (all using super8mm), one of them is "Fairchild". None of them are compatible.

cheers,

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on November 19, 2010, 06:57 PM:

I have some too and have always been meaning to open it up.

Posted by Michael De Angelis (Member # 91) on November 21, 2010, 06:51 PM:

It took me 2 hours for 400 feet of film. I had the same trouble. It's best to pry it open - and they usually break. The process is a mess, and the film as thin as spaghetti which usually springs together and it's difficult to separate.

Never pull the film through the cartridge opening, because you will make base scratches that will be black lines.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on November 22, 2010, 08:43 AM:

Can we move the film on cartridge (after opening it), like the way we move film on core to regular reel?

Posted by Michael De Angelis (Member # 91) on November 22, 2010, 08:24 PM:

Winbert,

Just my "lucky" experience was that once the cartridge was opened,
the film popped out as a tight spring. It literally became
a can of jumping worms and quickly became one big knotted
ball of film.

You may try to place the film on the cartridge, but I found this to
be very difficult.

Have an empty reel ready to transfer the film once the cartridge is
opened. Do not pull the film out of the cartridge by using
a hand crank rewind. I tried this and it made black base side scratches.
Be very gentle. It may fall on the floor, it's ok - make sure the floor
is clean.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on November 23, 2010, 09:51 AM:

I have had some luck by opening these with a needle nose pliers to pull out the "nails" some pull out easy, some do not if you twist it gently while pulling they do come out then you can separate the case without the film popping out on you. The film is on a plastic tray that spins, if you leave that half in the case and if you hold a piece of cardboard with the center cut out up to the films size and keep it up against it to keep the film from falling off then you can carefully transfer the film to another reel, but the key is patience here, good luck.

Posted by Michael De Angelis (Member # 91) on November 23, 2010, 05:20 PM:

Winbert,

I have not had the experience by (reassembling) moving the film back onto the cartridge,and it seems to be a challenging task.

As Jim mentioned there are many facets to consider such as the "nail" fasteners, (are these able to be re-used?) Regardless of the internal take up spool that loops the film, and the spring roller and tensioner that keeps the film supported in place through that small opening for projection.

I do not have any doubt that if John Whittle is reading this and if he is willing, I'm sure that his knowledge would shed light to your concern.

I consider JOHN, as the "Dean," and has exceptional insight and experience to all related issues discussed on this Forum.

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