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Author Topic: Film shedding Patrick McDonough Expert Film Handler Posts: 118 From: Greenfield Ma. Registered: Jul 2002 posted 05-09-2003 10:08 AM                     We have a Century projector that keeps shedding film for some reason, we have tried to reverse the sprockets, we have tried to change the gates, and it keeps on shedding, I know its not the load becase it sheds for the other projectionist, and that is the only projector that does it.  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 05-09-2003 10:33 AM                     The usual things I would be checking, other than the sprockets, are; Film trap. Condition of trap side runner and alignment. Film trap spring bands, damage or uneven wear. Moving gate for damage/uneven wear and also alignment to trap (azimuth for want of a better description!)) Correct clearance between moving gate and film trap (1/4" if my memory is working) Condition and alignmet of intermittent sprocket shoes. Happy hunting!  |  IP: Logged Leo Enticknap Film God Posts: 7474 From: Loma Linda, CA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 05-09-2003 10:41 AM                        Is it just the one print that sheds or lots of different ones? If the latter then it's a projector issue. If the former it could just be an NFG print.  |  IP: Logged Rachel Craven Madam Moderator Posts: 2190 From: Pensacola, FL Registered: Dec 2000 posted 05-09-2003 11:25 AM                     I used to have a Century where the side runner had a very small splinter (barely noticable) and it caused film to shred...took me way to long to find that.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-09-2003 02:13 PM                     Which flavor of Century is it? If it's the Century SA-TA... The Turret model with the gate that slides open and shut I would definately check to see if the gate is to tight. In the manual there is a section about setting the gate tension using a 1/4 inch allen wrench trapped between the trap and the shoe. It's important that this setting be done carefully, lest the film be scuffed when it runs through the gate. We had one projector that actually SNOWED when it ran! The projector would fill up with white flakes as the film ran through. It would have to be vacuumed out between each show! Any print that was run through that projector would forever be a "snow print" and any projector that it was run through in the future would have to be cleaned frequently as well. As mentioned above, also check your gate bands, shoe runners and your intermittent shoes for burrs and nicks that will scuff the film as well. Film Guard will do a good job of calming the "snow effect" of a print that has been scuffed up by a maladjusted projector but it's no substitute for repairing the offending machine... Your film IS being damaged!  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 05-09-2003 03:15 PM                     Patrick, sounds as though there is a gross mis-alignment somewhere if the gate parts are otherwise in good condition. The last Century SA I saw do this was because of a broken band and the intermittant sprocket show became discombooberated.  |  IP: Logged

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