posted 10-27-1999 02:57 PM                    

I guess my question is, has anyone else experienced these scratches before? I've checked how all my Usher-bs thread, and they all have pretty much the same thread patterns (i.e. no one threads off the rollers or anything like that). I notice that some have bigger or smaller loops than others, but nothing extreme (as far as I know). I've heard the term, "standing scratches" before, and I was wondering if those are what I'm describing? What are "standing scratches"? Thanks for any info.

 |  IP: Logged

posted 10-27-1999 04:27 PM                    

Question: Do Christie projectors have a framing method like a Simplex or Norelco, where the intermittent sprocket rotates around it's center, or does the entire intermittent assembly move up/down like a Century or Cinemecannica?

 |  IP: Logged

posted 10-27-1999 08:57 PM                    

Altering the framing on a Christie will change the loop size. This is why I strongly recommend they be locked down. If the projectionist threads out of frame...then it is he who will have to suffer the embarassment of stopping it, framing it correctly and then restarting it. That'll only happen once.

Sounds like the lower loop is being made too big. On a Christie, you want that lower loop to be as big as possible WITH THE FILM TUGGING ON THE OPEN LOWER PAD ROLLER. With that pad roller in the open position turning the machine over by hand, if the film is not tugging gently on the pad roller, you WILL get standing scratches. However, make sure the loop is not too small. Basically make the loop just big enough so it doesn't tug and then lower it by one sprocket hole. That is optimum size.

Christie has come up with a nifty little addition that can be screwed underneath the Ultramittent to prevent this. It is a set of guide rails and their part number is #196189-001. See if your theater will let you requisition some.

 |  IP: Logged

posted 10-28-1999 02:35 AM                    

What do these add-ons look like? Are they standard on the projectors now, or are they optional?

 |  IP: Logged

posted 10-28-1999 09:57 AM                    

Also, these scratches would wander, they weren't always in the same place. Just the right side of the image.

 |  IP: Logged

posted 10-29-1999 05:02 AM                    

I do believe the new guard rails are standard on all new Christie projectors. Bevan Wright from Christie (come on Bevan, you know you read the forum) could tell us for sure.

They basically just screw in underneath the Ultramittent. There is no technician required. It is a fantastic upgrade!

If any of you guys who are having these scratches can send me a trailer (or just several feet from one) that has these scratches on them, I should be able to track down the cause of them just by looking at it. The shipping address is at the bottom of the FilmGuard page on the site.

 |  IP: Logged

posted 10-29-1999 02:54 PM                    

Paul is local. Perhaps he can save some samples for me. The Christie AW3 is the best platter on the market. I'm shocked to hear it would be scratching and would like to find out the cause.

 |  IP: Logged

posted 10-30-1999 03:48 AM                    

Send me a sample if you can.

 |  IP: Logged