Repair of 8mm Sprocket holes Possible?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:48 pm

Hello,

When transferring some Super 8 film using my workprinter I have some rolls where a frame(s) will jump up or down by about a quarter of the screen. Upon examination of the film I can see that the sprocket holes are actually damaged from a past session with a projector. They usually have an extra hole punch on the top. Is there any way to repair these sprocket holes so that I can get good transfer of every frame using the workprinter? I was thinking maybe it would be possible to glue a good strip of sprocket holes removed from some leader or some other good film. Has anyone attempted and film repairs like this and can it be done?
Thanks,
Mark

YouTube · Post by **Andreas Wideroe** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:58 pm

Roger Evans (Moviestuff) had a smart sollution to this. Run the film backwards through the WP and then flip it in the computer later. Should solve many sprocket-problems since it will use the other side of a sprocket hole when advancing the film.

Andreas

Post by **Carlos 8mm** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 3:20 pm

I did that with old 16 mm footage. I use a little piece of 16 mm film (from cleaned negative or reversal stock nerver used or ruined, not film leader).
First, protect the frames of the damaged section with a piece of tape easy to remove with alcohol in the frames section to be restored in both sides of the film. then use a little piece of sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the damaged section. Put the broken sprocklet hole in the hole guide of a 16mm splicer Then glue the new piece of acetate with the sprocket hole.

ItÃ‚Â´s very important to maintain the original thicknes of the film to avoid jupms or jittering. After all this process, use a very fine grain sand paper with wather and a polisher to get the original thickness in the restored section.

Be careful for not damage with glue the frames. maintain the little piece of tape in the frames section to be restored in both sides of the film until the end of the restore proccessing. Then remove it careful.

Hope this helps you,

Carlos.

Post by **mwkurt** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 3:53 pm

Andreas...I am intrigued by this idea of running the film in backward to avoid this problem. Could you expand on how it is done or refer me to a link on what steps are taken to achieve this? Would the film have to be played onto another reel, and then that reel is run through the WP? Are there any worries about the film being upside down or any pitfalls that I should look for. Perhaps Roger could shed some light on the subject??
Thanks,
Mark