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Author
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Topic: Spools and Splicers
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Hugh McCullough
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 156
From: Old Coulsdon. Surrey. UK
Registered: Oct 2006
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posted April 22, 2007 04:36 PM
Hello Rob.
Welcome to the world of 16mm.
You will soon find out that it is definitely not a hobby. It is a way of life, often frustrated by non-believers like wives, and girlfriends.
These misguided souls will happily let you suffer even though they know that you just have to have the projector bargain you have just found on ebay. They will insist that the money be better spent on things like shoes for the children, or dare I say, a second dress.
Anyway, to be serious.
Personally I always keep a 2200ft metal spool on the projector take up. It does not matter what size the take off spool is as the tension on the take up should remain constant comesurant with the amount of film on it at the time.
All my spare spools are either 1600, or 2200 foot, and most, but not all, are metal.
Plastic spools are fine but need more care in handling.
They have been known to crack, or split when they get older. They are also prone to static electricity caused by the film rubbing against the sides.
This can then attract dust that will eventually find it's way onto the film, and in the worst cases can cause static discharge strong enough to wipe a portion of magnetic track. Believe me, I know this to my cost.
If you only have optical tracks then this is not a problem.
On the other hand metal spools can get bent. This can usually be corrected by gentle bending. Plastic spools can warp, and it is practically impossible to re- straighten them.
Again metal spools can also, if handled incorrectly, get rough edges that can cut your fingers.
There is really only one tape splicer worth considering. This is the Italian splicer made by Dr Leo Catozzo.
I use a M2 16mm model.
This make is in use in every UK cinema, and tape is readily available.
They are not cheap, but do come up on ebay from time to time.
By the way, there is nothing wrong with using the good old fashioned cement spicers.
These are very much cheaper, film cement is still available, and a well made splice can last longer than it's tape conterpart.
A word of warning. Never, never hold a spool, either plastic or metal, by pinching it between you fingers, and thumb.
At best you will bend it, and at worst damage the edge of the film.
It might also be wise to invest in a rewinder.
This will enable you to run the film edges between your index finger, and thumb, to check for any damaged sprocket holes.
It will also make it easier to apply any film cleaning solution.
Rewinding on the projector is too fast, and most projectors do not have a rewind cut off if the fillm breaks, or when it has finished winding.
Hugh.
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EIKI Ex 6100 xenon machine.
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