Eumig mark 501 takeup reel problem

[peixesloucos]

Dear forum members,

This my first post on your forum and I am very new in Super8/8mm.
So allow my language as I still lack the correct terminology.

Let me first introduce my aim in home cinema and my devices.

I have taken this as a hobby to collect amateur movies that are shot in different parts of the world, especially in Asia and Africa. I also collect comic strips. I am hoping to shoot occasionally, too.

I have two projectors and two cameras.

1. Eumig P8 Imperial (8mm)
2. Eumig Mark 501 (dual projector) * this is the issue of my problem
3. Yashica Super40K camera
4. Eumig 860 PMA camera

I am using the Mark 501 for projecting super8 movies but I have a problem that I can not solve.

Please check the following two short videos that I taken while my projector is running:

one from the outside:
http://tinyurl.com/2m3obn

and another one from the insdie:
http://tinyurl.com/33ufjf

My problem is with the "take up reel" When I place an empty reel on the back of projector I feel that the reel swings too much as it is not fixed properly to the projector. There is a plastic knob on the socket which I suppose is necessary for this fixation. It seems to be in good shape but the reels I have tried are not fixated like the one on the front side (the movie).

Another point is when I compare the empty reels that I intend to use as take up reel with the reels which have the original movies, I see a difference on their width. As a result when I begin projecting the film which goes into the projector does not go smooth to the take up reel. I thought its because of the swinging issue but when I try manually to roll a film into the empty reels by hand, I see that they stuck again because of the differences in width. When I look at the original reel of Eumig P8 Imperial, which is metal I see a film can roll very easily as it is wider.

Does anyone have experience in a similar problem that I have?
I also post the following photos for describing my projector and the problem. I hope someone can help me about this issue.
I try to find beter reels but up till now I could not find a good one. Any recommendations on this is also appreciated.









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[Mitch Perkins]

Looks like the reel is plastic, and warped, possibly from being stored on its side with some uneven weight on top of it. The problem sounds like "pinching" - grabbing the edges of the film as it winds onto the reel.

Maybe find some strips of some kind of solid/strong/waterproof material to insert into the reel, which will even the gap between the sides, and then toss the whole thing into some boiling water for a minute or two, then remove and let cool with the strips still in place. Serve lightly garnished with parsley.

Mitch

[walter]

Swinging Reel
This is not a problem, most old projectors have this more or less worn bearings. The bearings of the take up reel are more heavy used by the high rewind speed, the bearings of the feed reel spindle normaly does not rotate this fast. The swinging take up reel does not wear your films, but a swinging feed reel could stress your films, therefore always use low speed for rewinding - bearings and film will be in good condition for long time.

Difference in Width
Mitch did already answer this question. Try to get an new take up reel. You can also use a good reel out of your movie collection, if you have one with the same capacity. Maybe you have a movie which is not in good quality, so you can rewind this bad film to your old worn and bent take up reel (slowly).

Walter

[peixesloucos]

Dear Walter and Mitch,

Many thanks for your interest on the issue.
I tried Mitch's recipe and cooked one of the empty reels. By the way I used tranches of wine corks to widen the gap. Result is impressive. I am applying the same method to a better reel of Posso. I hope I will get good results from this, too. I keep an eye on ebay for new takeup reels, too.

As a final remark, do you suggest anything to keep the film attached to the takeup reel. In my case (perhaps because of too wide reel) the film gets loose at the beginning. I had to stop the projector and manually roll the film and then it went very good.