8mm Forum: Does your Elmo ST 1200 auto thread on to the take-up reel?

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Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on August 04, 2008, 07:00 AM:

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?

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on August 04, 2008, 07:40 AM:

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.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on August 04, 2008, 05:35 PM:

I agree...it depends on the film, not the reel [Smile]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on August 04, 2008, 05:55 PM:

-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!

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on August 04, 2008, 06:10 PM:

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.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 05, 2008, 03:56 AM:

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.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on August 05, 2008, 08:35 PM:

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.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on August 06, 2008, 05:04 AM:

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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