8mm Forum: EIKI NT16mm tearing film!

This is topic EIKI NT16mm tearing film! in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on March 22, 2019, 03:42 PM:

Hello. I have an old EIKI NT 16mm projector that everytime I auto load, or manual load, it tears film LENGTHWAYS! Over 10 frames will be ripped thru, any ideas why this evil machine is destroying film (its single perf camera film that has been projected just fine on other previous machines)

Posted by Jonathan Wood (Member # 6641) on March 28, 2019, 02:05 PM:

Hi Mark,
Whereabouts length ways is it ripping the film. ? I’m assuming it’s near to or along the sprockets ? If so it could be mis aligned teeth ? If it’s elsewhere, then have you checked the film path for debris ? I’ve had this problem before with 35mm where the film slipped out of the path and onto the edge of a sprocket wheel - slicing the film down the centre until I stopped the machine . Can’t imagine this with 16 though as the film path tends to be more enclosed. I would disassemble and have a look .
Jon

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on March 28, 2019, 04:20 PM:

Check that the sprocket disc is not slipping. Tighten the screw on the sprocket. I have had a problem with this. If you unscrew and disassemble you can check that the disc is not moving separately from the whole thing.

Posted by Nantawat Kittiwarakul (Member # 6050) on March 28, 2019, 08:31 PM:

Gotta pin point to where the damage originated.

Try manually lacing the film in (using some "junk" films of course) and manually inching the film through the projector,you should see where the mishap came from. [Wink]

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on March 29, 2019, 03:34 AM:

quote:
… its single perf camera film that has been projected just fine on other previous machines...

Is there a clue here?
Mark, do you mean other make projectors, or on another Eiki?
A seller of films recently said that his 16mm print for sale ran well on a Bell & Howell, but his Elf gave trouble with the same print.
Have you another Eiki/Elf to try out the same film, does the mentioned NT model tear all films, or just the ex camera film?

Posted by Mark Silvester (Member # 929) on March 29, 2019, 03:39 AM:

Hi all

I've had plenty of the Elfs/Eikis in the past and whilst well made machines I never trusted the claw system with anything other than virtually mint/new prints from experience.

Much..much preferred my B&Howells or Bauer P7/8's much better machines.
[Smile]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on March 31, 2019, 05:29 AM:

Whilst it sounds as though Mark B has a problem, I agree with Mark S that these machines, whilst solidly built, are intolerant of all but pretty perfect (or well repaired) prints.

The auto loop restorer when activated will keep the film running, but usually tears more sprocket holes at the same time.

I've found that it's essential to examine a print before hand to avoid any problems when running them on these two claw machines.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on March 31, 2019, 11:08 AM:

Rob has made a good point about the loop restorer causing film damage on Elf/Eiki projectors.
Such a different method from the Bell & Howell design which ensures that the claw is withdrawn before the loop restorer activates.

Posted by Richard C Patchett (Member # 974) on March 31, 2019, 01:47 PM:

Greetings
I ran into this a few years back
Found out that the teeth on the metal sprocket one was smaller than the others from wear.
Before replacing it i removed the complete assy and cleaned the shaft and re lubed it Works Great
Hope this helps
RC

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on April 09, 2019, 08:04 AM:

Thank you all for this excellent advice. Will start following these checks now. Cheers

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