built my own longplay-unit about 2 years ago (as you can see on my homepage), but this item looks interesting.
With a little bit of knowledge and tools, you can rebuild the Reelporter and have not to pay 350 Euros. Sorry, but I think that is tooooo much. Perhaps I will try it by myself for an ST 1200
-------------------- Just remember the time when Home Cinema was not a disc...keep perforated
Posts: 1411
From: Enfield, U.K.
Registered: Aug 2003
posted December 19, 2012 10:18 AM
It looks OK, but it's not shown with a full big spool, I'm wondering that if you use this unit for too long the inside tensions will be put out, let alone the extra weight on the main motor, I'm no expert, but using the machines exsisiting motors may be to much when the back spool (which looked like a minimum of 2000') is full up.
Posts: 1373
From: Penistone Sheffield UK
Registered: Oct 2012
posted December 19, 2012 01:33 PM
Totally agree with you Barry. The motors are designed for 1200ft spools. I use the Spondon arms, these take up to 6000ft of 16mm, they have their own motor. I bought a Fumeo which takes 2400ft spools, but its only mono. MO though.
-------------------- I love the smell of film in the morning.
Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012
posted December 19, 2012 03:14 PM
I can only marvel at the engineering behind it,but I honestly don't think those little motors in the GS1200 were meant to carry loads that these arms are capable of holding.There's got to be a point where you're actually harming your projector.
Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003
posted December 20, 2012 12:38 AM
Reel extenders are a nifty idea and I commend the people who are able to invent such devices, but the manufacturers installed motors in their projectors designed to withstand the weight of each unit's factory-designed maximum take up capacity (ie: 400'-1200'). The original factory-installed motors will burn out from all the extra weight it's being forced to deal with. I don't advise using reel extenders unless they work independently with their own drive system and the projector is just running the film.
posted December 20, 2012 07:45 AM
Gone with the wind in one go, wouldn't that be something... I suppose I'd have to raise the ceiling at home
Michael, I've often gone through your description on how to build such a thing... with admiration! (Danke im Übrigen für die Site, hab ne Menge bei dir gelernt).
On a more general level: has anybody information about 8mm reel extender manufacturers? I mean, from the 70es or 80es... what models might show up on ebay? Were there a lot? What's to consider if buying?
Thanks everybody...
-------------------- Vinegar belongs in the salad...
Posts: 3216
From: The Projection Box
Registered: Nov 2006
posted December 20, 2012 08:26 AM
Huge applause for the innovation here and looks beautifully made but with very small motors on the GS only designed for 1200ft reel weight maximum I would have concerns about using it with what would amount to double the amount of film on a 2400ft spool. Far better to seek out the stand alone SPONDON LONG PLAY UNIT which has its own motor and electronically controlled tension etc.
Posts: 372
From: Montrose, NY
Registered: Feb 2011
posted December 20, 2012 10:30 AM
You are correct Lee. The GS motors can't handle larger than 1200' reels. Those small gears get destroyed...The ST models can handle more footage..
Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012
posted December 21, 2012 05:20 AM
I have just recently aquired the Spondon Long Play Arms for my Bauer T610 and I have to say that I now consider myself to have the best of everything! They are very well manufactured and Engineered, can load at least 2400ft reels of Super 8 film if not more, run silently and hassle free ie with the tension set just right you can have the Spondon unit switched on with the projector off so that it takes up in perfect tandom with the Bauers start buttton! I now have a system that allows me to watch all my features on the almost silent running Bauer in Stereo with no fears of the infamous Elmo scratch!! Just fantastic! I also have the Bauer M/L 190 for my optical features and when fitted with a Xenophot 150w lamp and the Schneider F1.1 lens gives of an image almost identical to the T610. So finally I am at peace with the world for watching Super 8 hassle free. ps thanks to Erwin & Hugh for helping me to get to this level of satisfaction at last ))
-------------------- "C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"
Posts: 1373
From: Penistone Sheffield UK
Registered: Oct 2012
posted December 21, 2012 02:46 PM
Andrew You have a great unit with the Spondon, although I have only used ELMO ST/GS super8. It sounds like you have a good set-up. Its really good to put your film show on without having to change reels. Did you get the standard one? Mainly for 8mm or the 16mm 6000ft version, that's the one I bought. Virtually them same, but the 16mm had extension on the bottom. Also great for film cleaning.
-------------------- I love the smell of film in the morning.
Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012
posted December 21, 2012 02:55 PM
Hi David,thanks for the advice previously btw and yes I will try Phil at CHC as I have dealt with him quite a lot in recent times and from visiting his store I know it is something of an Aladdins cave and therefore there probably is a good chance he may have some spares. I think the version I have is just the Super 8 version though the 1200ft reels are mounted 19" above base level so I cant imagine how big the reels could go on this unit! Very impressed with it though especially the build quality the fact it folds away very neatly and runs silently!! Really pleased with this set up now, runs almost as quietly as my Pannasonic Home Theater projector now, which is exactly what you need when the projector is in the room you are viewing the film in.
-------------------- "C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"
Posts: 587
From: London & Kent UK
Registered: Jul 2003
posted December 22, 2012 06:54 AM
Yeah I too appreciated the fact that the GS motors may not be up to it or maybe there's some clever gearing going on, however my initial question was...
"Has anyone else come across or own one of these interesting items"
...would be interesting to hear from someone who actually has seen one in action, or lives with one, anyone?