Ilford 'FILM CLIPPERS"

[Worker 11811]

I have thought of trying to make some way to cut the tail end of the film to fit into that slot on the reloadable cassettes but, on the few occasions when I use factory loaded film which is attached like that, I hate it. I always end up pushing and pulling and twisting the film until it breaks off, leaving a mangled end which I have to cut off with scissors anyway.

Instead, I just use black gaffer's tape to attach the film to the spool.

It might be neat to have a gadget to cut the film the right way to fit into the slot. I might like to try it. I'm always interested in gadgets.

I have one of those two-handled film cassette openers, made by Honewell but I often end up just using a church key.

A new gadget to attach the film to the spool would be another neat thing to add to my collection but I'd probably just go back to using gaffer's tape again.

The thing that I would really like to have is an inexpensive film cutter like the ones on 35 mm. film splicers used in movie theaters. When properly cared for, they always cut the film quickly, cleanly and exactly half way between two sprocket holes.

I've thought about bringing my film splicer home from work but, then, I'd have to haul it back and forth all the time. I know I could buy another film splicer but I don't want to spend the money for a whole splicer just to use the cutter.

A relatively cheap, purpose-made film cutter would be nice to have.

 

[michaelbsc]

I suspect that one of the hobby die cutters is a better place to look than anywhere. They come in all kinds of shapes, but nothing that I've ever been able to find that matches. They're simple blade inserts, but making one at home might be tough without some expensive cutting tools for metals.

However, if film does begin to transition to the hobby market, then you can bet those folks would be willing to run the numbers to see if they could make a profit at it. This stuff is usually in the scrap booking section at places like AC Moore and Michaels in the US. Not sure what retail outlets would be in other locations, but they've got to have stuff like this.

If you could get one tool handle with two inserts, one to make the notched end for the cassette spool, and the second insert to make the tongue for the leader you would be in business.

Film is actually thin enough that the dies could be made from hard plastic, but a metal one would last better.

 

[cmo]

Long, long ago, there were "daylight packs". I just translated that from the german word "Tageslichtpackungen", maybe there was something similar available in other countries. They were cheaper than real 35mm cartridges because it was just the inner part of a cartridge - the film on a spool - packaged in light-tight paper. That must have been in the 50s and early 60s when film was so expensive here that people tried to save as much as possible.

I don't think that it would save much money if a film manufacturer omits the metal canister of a 35mm cartridge.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Leitz used to make a little template gadget to trim films, one end for the camera leader and the other to fit the Leitz brass cassettes. The order code was "ABLON". See http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00Qy2A

Testrite also made such a gadget. I bought one but never use it as it is rather a bother. They are really only needed for certain Leica bodies that do not have a removeable back. Perhaps also for some russian Leica copies. In a matter of seconds you can cut a leader with a pair of scissors. For most cameras it doesn't need to have the Leica shape and can be much shorter.

I don't bother to try and fit the slot in some cassette spools. You also would need a punch to make the hole. I just tape the film onto the spool like non-slotted ones.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

I<m thinking of a device that would cut the end of 35mm film from a roll of 17 or 30 meter into the exact shape that is at the cassette end of a single roll.

Forgive me if I say you are overly concerned over a inconsequental detail.

 

[cmacd123]

Was there any reply to this email???

Jaap Jan

NOPE!

I have thought of trying to make some way to cut the tail end of the film to fit into that slot on the reloadable cassettes but, on the few occasions when I use factory loaded film which is attached like that, I hate it. I always end up pushing and pulling and twisting the film until it breaks off,

I find that if I cut the film off so that the tail is there, it rests on the next spiral in the tank. I therefore always use the scissors resting against the flange of the spool to cut the film off straight.

If there was an easy way to cut the end to fit the spool, it would avoid having to mess with trying to get tape straight in the dark when loading.

 

[Worker 11811]

If you are loading the film with the emulsion in that bit of film will rest against the base side of the next spiral so it won't hurt anything.
That's not to say that I like it to happen. I try to prevent it whenever I can but, when you can't see in the dark, it happens some times.
Yes, cutting the film is usually what I do, too.

I use gaffer's tape to affix the film to the spool. Sticks well. Won't pull off accidentally but is easy to peel off when you want it to.
I don't put the tape ON in the dark. I use a bulk loader. Peeling it off in the dark is easy, though.

 

[cmacd123]

I don't put the tape ON in the dark. I use a bulk loader. Peeling it off in the dark is easy, though.

I actually use the bulk loader, but attach the end of the film in the dark. That way you don't get the possibility of Fog on Frame #36.