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Author Topic: Does your Elmo ST 1200 auto thread on to the take-up reel?
David Kilderry
Jedi Master Film Handler

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


 - posted August 04, 2008 07:00 AM      Profile for David Kilderry   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I love my ST 1200 Elmo projectors and have had my current one for over 12 years. On all of them I have used, including my current ST 1200 M/O, the film fails to auto thread onto the take-up reel.

At first I thought it was the broken flanges on the original Elmo 800ft reel. So then I bought an as new in box Elmo 800ft reel with the flanges in tact, still the film tries to grab the auto thread flanges but falls out. I then stop the projector and spool it around the reel manually.

I have also tried a Bonum 800ft auto thread reel and even though it works sometimes it is still not consistant enough; it is also further away from the removable 1200ft film guide as the reel has a smaller centre.

Any ideas? Does yours thread all the way onto the spool?

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 04, 2008 07:40 AM      Profile for Steve Klare   Email Steve Klare   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I have this exact result on my ST-800. Apparently what it's about is the difference in stiffness between acetate and polyester based film. An acetate leader is just a little stiffer and will reach the reel and be grabbed by the fingers, pulled to the center and wrap around. Polyester film gets almost there, bends over and heads for the table top.

My routine has become to hold the leader on the reel, spin it a revolution or two and be done with it.

Acetate leaders on all films would fix it, if it's worth the effort to you.

--------------------
All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Joe Taffis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1592
From: United States
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 04, 2008 05:35 PM      Profile for Joe Taffis   Email Joe Taffis   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I agree...it depends on the film, not the reel [Smile]

--------------------
Joe Taffis

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 04, 2008 05:55 PM      Profile for Steve Klare   Email Steve Klare   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
-and it's not just an Elmo thing either.

My 800 series Eumig does the exact same thing.

I think this calls for some elaborately controlled jet of air to keep the film aimed at the reel!

--------------------
All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Kevin Faulkner
Film God

Posts: 4071
From: Essex UK
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 04, 2008 06:10 PM      Profile for Kevin Faulkner         Edit/Delete Post 
I totally agree with you guys. Its not the spools but the film. Use good stiff acetate leader such as that made by Kodak and all your problems will be solved.

Trying to get any new film which will probably be on Poly based stocks to go up to the take-up spool will never happen.

Dont blame the spool or the machine but blame the flimsy film stocks we now have.

Kev.

--------------------
GS1200 Xenon with Elmo 1.0...great combo along with a 16-CL Xenon for that super bright white light.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007


 - posted August 05, 2008 03:56 AM      Profile for Maurice Leakey   Email Maurice Leakey   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I recommend white leader film from Larry Pearce. 50' on a spool for £2.50 plus 28p postage.

A couple of feet of this joined to your film start will achieve better auto-thread results and also protect the leader of your precious films.

--------------------
Maurice

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Claus Harding
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1149
From: Washington DC
Registered: Oct 2006


 - posted August 05, 2008 08:35 PM      Profile for Claus Harding   Email Claus Harding   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I find that if the 1200 won't grab by itself, I let the leader pay out just past the reel and as the leader droops, I nab it with my fingers and just give it a little 'fling' (if you will) up around the reel.
The reel will spin briefly before the leader grips, but it takes in about half a turn, and you don't have to stop the projector.
Just an idea if you want to try...

Best,
Claus.

--------------------
"Why are there shots of deserts in a scene that's supposed to take place in Belgium during the winter?" (Review of 'Battle of the Bulge'.)

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David Kilderry
Jedi Master Film Handler

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


 - posted August 06, 2008 05:04 AM      Profile for David Kilderry   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks for your input guys.

I agree the type of leader makes a difference, but the auto thread onto the take-up reel is still too unreliable without a helping hand. I have hundreds of films with many different leaders, acetate, poly, Kodak white and protect-a-print just to name a few.

On my Eumigs, Sankyos, Titans, Bell and Howells I have rarely had a problem, yet the ST 1200's I have had don't seem as good in this regard.

Don't get me wrong, it is still my favourite, but I just want it perfect!

David

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