8mm Forum: "Figure of eight" twist

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Topic: "Figure of eight" twist

Gordon Hunter
Film Handler

Posts: 34
From: Motherwell, north Lanarkshire, Scotland. U.K.
Registered: Sep 2006

posted September 22, 2006 04:59 PM

Hello all,
My first posting on the 8mm forum.
This topic may have been discussed previously.
Noticed that some of my 8mm films have a "figure of eight " or spiral twist on them. All project ok. Just wondered if this is caused by the film(s) not being correctly rewound and lying slack on the reel during long term storage.
Gordon

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Michael De Angelis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1261
From: USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted September 22, 2006 09:06 PM

Gordon,

Welcome to the Forum.

The ideal storage for films
is to keep them wound with
a good rewind. Not too tight
but not loose, and secure on
the ends. Artists paper tape
that is acid free leaves little
or no residue on the film
from the tape adhesive.

Also, when the reel or spool is
in poor shape, the film may not
rewind very well on the machine.
Some people purchase separate
rewinds to inspect and rewind
film by hand. It also saves
on the projector. If the rewind
torque is not sufficient to permit
a proper wind, then film can sag and
buckle. This along with unstable
temperature and humidity can affect the film
to curl.

Film needs to breathe and it has
characteristics that permit it to conform
to the enviornment in which
it is stored. With the most stable environment,
film will last many years.

There are many commercially approved film
cleaners, that will relax the curl
and if stored in a reverse wind for several
months, will then permit the film to
revert to its original shape.

Michael

--------------------
Isn't it great that we can all communicate about this great
hobby that we love!

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David Kilderry
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 963
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Feb 2006

posted September 22, 2006 10:27 PM

Hi Gordon,

Welcome to the forum. Does your twisted film film give off a vinegar smell?

David

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Mike Peckham
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1461
From: West Sussex, UK.
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 23, 2006 02:10 AM

Hi Gordon

Nothing to add, except to say "welcome to the forum".

Mike [Smile]

--------------------
Auntie Em must have stopped wondering where I am by now...

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Jean-Marc Toussaint
Film God

Posts: 2392
From: France
Registered: Oct 2004

posted September 23, 2006 02:19 AM

Welcome, Gordon. I'll just add one thing: it's preferable to store films in the vertical position.

--------------------
The Grindcave Cinema Website

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Gordon Hunter
Film Handler

Posts: 34
From: Motherwell, north Lanarkshire, Scotland. U.K.
Registered: Sep 2006

posted September 26, 2006 05:26 PM

26/09/06
Many thanks to eveyone who replied to my first posting on the 8mm forum. I have been collecting films since 1971 in 8mm, 16mm and recently, 9.5mm both silent and sound. Storage is becoming a problem but on the advice given, I will make sure they are all stored vertical.
I will also try and find a source for the tape suggested by you Michael. None of the films concerned have vinegaring.
Best wishes,
Gordon Hunter,
Motherwell,
Scotland.

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