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Author Topic: Help with Strong Platter Dean Kollet Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 591 From: Florida State University Registered: Jul 2003 posted 03-31-2004 12:16 AM                     I've noticed that some of our Strong platters have not been winding the prints up as tight as I'd like. I calibrated it, but it's just raising the roller assemlby (lack of better term) and lowering it while holding the toggle switch. Is there any type of way, or even trick to get these to wind prints really tight...like say a Christie? it's a Strong AP 3 (I'm pretty sure I can check tomorrow) Projector/Lamphouse all Strong/Simplex if it helps  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 03-31-2004 01:00 AM                     Other than hanging a weight from the elevator rollers, there's really not much you can do. (...except of course junk them and buy Christies! )  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-31-2004 01:33 AM                     Of course, you say that assuming that: A) The platter is all in working order. (Ostensibly) There is nothing wrong such as a worn out rubber "tire" on the drive wheel. B) There is nothing wrong with the film. There is no sprocket damage, etc., to the print that would cause the film to wind up all funky-like. I'd say, give your platter a once-over to make sure it's all good. Check the tires. Clean and lube the sliders that the yo-yo rides on. From there on out, the things will either work or they won't. (Mostly won't. )  |  IP: Logged Dean Kollet Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 591 From: Florida State University Registered: Jul 2003 posted 03-31-2004 10:48 AM                     I guess I'll have to check the tires and what not. We just have a one or two out of twenty that wind up WAY too loose....  |  IP: Logged Ken Layton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1452 From: Olympia, Wash. USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 03-31-2004 11:59 AM                     The black drive tires do tend to dry & crack and just plain flatten out or glaze. The belts only cost about $3 each so it's probably time to change out some belts.  |  IP: Logged Jackson Gilman Film Handler Posts: 37 From: Madison, WI, USA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 03-31-2004 01:35 PM                     Ahh, cracked belts...would that explain the intense vibrating on some of our platter decks? I didn't think to check.  |  IP: Logged Dean Kollet Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 591 From: Florida State University Registered: Jul 2003 posted 03-31-2004 03:01 PM                     quote: Ahh, cracked belts...would that explain the intense vibrating on some of our platter decks? I didn't think to check. I always assumed that they vibrate b/c they become off center from people bumping them, slamming prints, throwing a splicer on it, etc....  |  IP: Logged Tom Wienholt Master Film Handler Posts: 371 From: Towson, MD, USA Registered: Dec 2002 posted 03-31-2004 03:02 PM                     My experience has been that Christie platters wind prints loose compared to strong platters.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 03-31-2004 05:35 PM                     The older Christie platters were guilty of that, not ones from the last decade or two. A super cheap solution  |  IP: Logged Mike Perju Film Handler Posts: 90 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Nov 2002 posted 03-31-2004 08:47 PM                     The answer here is easier that hanging a weight on the carriage or scrapping the platters: Just miss the top right hand roller in the carriage assembly, otherwise thread normally. Then again, why does anybody care how tight the film is wound?... unless you want to move the print  |  IP: Logged Dean Kollet Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 591 From: Florida State University Registered: Jul 2003 posted 04-03-2004 01:50 AM                     b/c we move prints like crazy.....some houses play 3-4 different prints a day...  |  IP: Logged Dustin Mitchell Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1865 From: Mondovi, WI, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 04-03-2004 02:47 AM                     I have twelve Strong platters, six Alpha's and six AP3's. The Alpha's have phase controls and carbon switches and the AP3's have microswitches. All 36 decks wind prints perfectly tight. I would suggest you look at all the things mentioned here and others; perhaps the variac is wearing out for example. One thing that would help diagnos the problem-does the accumulator move up and down constantly during operation or does it stay in one spot once the platter has started up?  |  IP: Logged Peter Schoell Film Handler Posts: 47 From: Paynesville, MN, USA Registered: Jul 2001 posted 04-04-2004 11:29 PM                     I also have a bunch(10)of Potts/ Strong platters, 3 are even the flat belt type. 99 1/2% of the time I have no problems with the platters, I've always found them very reliable. I've had your problem a couple of times and it's been caused by resistance in the accumulator. When some operator has banged into the rails that the accumulator rides between, causing them to bow. Also I had a roller come lose causing the accumulator to twist, thereby adding resistance (defeating gravity). You might check the variac linkage, even disconnect it from the accumulator, making sure each moves easily.  |  IP: Logged Jason Thode Film Handler Posts: 20 From: Frisco, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 04-04-2004 11:56 PM                     One thing you can try that I found works for some reason or other is to move the motor mounts. I found when the motors tires where to snug to the platter it slowed down and when it was to loose it would not spin the platter. If you set them to where they skim with a little pressure it should fix the problem. The other thing you can try, but only on nights you need to move a print would be to "Z" thread the take up gravity bar on the tree.  |  IP: Logged

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