Super 8 on NAB tape reels

[David Pringle]

Hi Folks
This is my first post here. I recently bought a job lot of 16mm film, which included what I assumed were a couple of 10.5" NAB audio tape reels. On closer inspection, they have a plastic adaptor in the center, so they can be used on a projector. I have never seen this before. Is it common in the 8mm world?
The film on the reels is a 1936 feature with British comedian Will Hay " Windbag The Sailor " with a running time of 87mins. B&W Super8 with mag track

[David Hardy]

Hello David i can't really state how common a practice it was for certain film collectors to mount Super 8mm film on to NAB tape spools . However i do have a full length feature Super 8mm sound copy of the rare " Carry On Sergeant " mounted on those NAB spools . I bought it used and i assume the previous owner mounted it on to those spools . I keep on meaning to transfer it onto proper Super 8mm spools and using the NAB tape spools with my Revox and Tandberg reel to reel tape recorders . I may get around to it someday .

[Ed Gordon]

Here is a discussion of the subject of using tape reels for film:

Is reel-to-reel interchangeable with standard 8mm reel?

(https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/vbb/f...reel#post87987)

[Melvin England]

I have bought several films over the years that were supplied on these NAB reels. I wouldn't say it was necessarily common, but then again, not a rarity.

They are really good quality, of course, and the plastic adaptor in the centre to reduce the core from a NAB to super 8 connection is, indeed, a plastic 50' super 8 reel that processed home movies are supplied on.

(convenient that they fit perfectly, don't you think ?)

[David Pringle]

Thanks for the info folks. Melvin, I did think the adaptors looked like the 50' super 8 reels with the covers on. So, it is a complete coincidence that this setup works.
I do not have a projector to view this on so I will offer it for sale.

[Melvin England]

Better still, David, run the films off onto smaller spools. (400' 600' or 800'). They probably originally came on 400' spools and had all the leaders removed, then just joined together onto these huge spools for uninterrupted viewing. My guess is that this film will already have splices after each
400' or possibly 600' mark. It seems a shame to sell the film without watching it just because of the spool size.

Who knows what projector you may move on to in the future. One that possibly manages 1200' spools. You may live to regret selling it.

.