8mm Forum: Best way to re-shape reels?

This is topic Best way to re-shape reels? in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Ron Douglas (Member # 2990) on May 17, 2014, 05:01 AM:

With a pile of 400' reels needing re-shaped, I'd love to hear any suggestions as to the best way to do this.
I've been told they are best re-shaped by soaking them in boiling water to soften the plastic enough to be slightly plyable, then insert polystyrene in to the space to re-set their shape.
These reels have been under some considerable weight for quite some time, but don't appear brittle. Tips and tried methods would be very welcomed.

Posted by Ernie Zahn (Member # 274) on May 17, 2014, 08:39 AM:

I've re-shaped them without the boiling but it took a long time. I bet the boiling will put the process on a more practical time table. And disinfect them!

Posted by Ron Douglas (Member # 2990) on May 17, 2014, 08:56 AM:

Hi Ernie, how did you re-shape yours and how successful did you find it?

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on May 17, 2014, 12:25 PM:

For minor adjustments I've used a hairdryer [Smile]

Posted by Jason Gronn (Member # 3921) on May 17, 2014, 05:11 PM:

I did a couple reels a while back by putting spacers in the reel to give me the correct width and placed them in the dishwasher

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on May 17, 2014, 06:17 PM:

I use a hairdryer as Janice does.

Posted by Ernie Zahn (Member # 274) on May 17, 2014, 06:24 PM:

The reel was pretty narrow. I actually wedged a film box in the reel and left it there for a long time. Essentially a spacer.

But as others say. Time is best supplemented by heat.

Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on May 17, 2014, 06:26 PM:

The way I did it was to wrap something like a thin strip of cloth around the centre, just enough to pull the sides apart uniformly, put into the hot water, leave till the water cools down a bit then transfer to cold. Spacers of some sort sound like a good option for better accuracy.

Posted by Ron Douglas (Member # 2990) on May 18, 2014, 04:16 AM:

That's great advice from everyone, thank you.
Good call with the hairdryer Janice, and as to Pat having a hairdryer, we'll just not get in to that... [Wink]

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on May 18, 2014, 06:42 PM:

quote:
"and as to Pat having a hairdryer, we'll just not get in to that.."

Pat also uses make-up [Big Grin]

He's an actor. [Wink]

Jon

Posted by Ron Douglas (Member # 2990) on May 19, 2014, 02:46 AM:

Thanks Jon, Pat's reputation is saved again!
(phew!) [Big Grin]

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