8mm Forum: breaking down a larger reel

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Posted by Brian Stearns (Member # 3792) on August 20, 2013, 05:51 AM:

I recently purchased a film that's up to the brim on 800 ft Elmo reel.because my projector only can take 600 ft reels. I need to break it down into say 3x400 ft reels. What tools do I need to accomplish the task?

any help would be great
thanks
Brian

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 20, 2013, 06:16 AM:

I suppose that the easier way would be to use rewind arms. You may also consider (but it not cheap) buying a long play unit if you have several features and do the opposite : putting them on large reels. Again, it is an investment but I think it always better to try to go from the smaller to the bigger when it's possible.

Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on August 20, 2013, 08:41 AM:

An editor would be the best way to go if you have one. You may be better putting it on 600ft reels it could flow better with only one reel change.

When I bought "Goldfinger" I mounted it on 2 x 1200ft this film had a perfect reel change 'the fade out when Bond is drugged on the plane'. It was mid reel and meant cutting the film, but the intermission was perfect.

If you can watch the film on your projector put a 600ft take-up reel on and use a dowel to fit through the 800ft reel, hold this and watch the film when you get to a bit where you think it would be best to change to another reel cut the film.
It would also be good if you had some black leader to splice on front and back, and white for the beginning.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on August 20, 2013, 09:08 AM:

Brian if there is a way to run the film forward onto the biggest reels you have or several 400ft reels using your projector just don't thread it, then rewind it onto the reels you want to use from the end then you can cut the film as each reel is full. as far as holding the supply reel (800ft) use a marker or some other object that will spin freely on the 800ft reel. Good luck

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on August 20, 2013, 10:19 AM:

A method I would use, is to check what the original spooling was,
as the breaks might come naturally if put back on it's original 400'
spools.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 20, 2013, 10:58 AM:

I agree with Hugh.
If the spool is held up to the light it should be obvious where the original joins are.
Or, run the film gently through your fingers, you will feel the joins.

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