Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: How to convert a Christie MUT to A Neumade Platter

This is topic How to convert a Christie MUT to A Neumade Platter in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Sean M. Grimes (Member # 445) on 10-19-2000, 04:09 AM:

I love a properly timed aw-3 but I am now at a theater with one strong ap and thirteen Neutronic platters. The Neutronics are great but the make up tables are a lot to be desired... but any way. In my area there is a couple of extra christie mut's and I was wondering if there are any way to adapt a christie mut to a Neumade platter? any advice would be great. I have thought about stripping out the Neumade table and using the guts in a Christie... but before I go through that hassel, any other Ideas or am I just a glutton for punishment? thanx again.

Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 10-20-2000, 12:56 AM:

If you have a strong MUT use it. IMHO they are a bit better then the christie, and we all know anythings better then the nuemade(I won't even touch ours, except for replacing the drive belt for a co worker). They seem to be faster and more relyable (since the film sits horizontally) . Make sure you thread it correctly though, i have seen too many people make mistakes on the strong MUT and damage the film.

Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 10-20-2000, 01:01 AM:

Oh, in case you are still intent on using the christie here's a few tips. The standard motors that the nuemades came with have like 3 or 4 wires inside each cord. We have slowly been replacing these motors with newer ones that only use two wires (make sure you get it going the right dirrection or your platter will go backwards) . i *think* you can cut a spare cord (order a spare if you have to) and splice it on the christie. I don't quite remember how the christie hooks up though, it will probably only work if the christie hooks directly into the motor(its been a while).

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 04-24-2012, 01:23 PM:

It has been 4204 days since the last post.

Posted by Matthew McBride (Member # 6598) on 04-24-2012, 01:23 PM:

Did anything come of this as I am in a similar situation. My Strong AP-3 has pretty much crapped out and the cost for repairing it versus getting a new system is higher. So I want to replace it with a Christie AW3R. Can I modify my Strong MUT to work with the AW3R or should I just get a Christie MUT. The manuals do not seem to have wiring schematics for the muts and platters so I can't really tell. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 04-24-2012, 08:48 PM:

Christie platters are DC platters where the MUT has a motor control card that parallels with the DC motor control cards for the platter unit via the push buttons on the side.

The STRONG Alpha series are 120VAC where it depends on an A/B connection on the MUT via the "makeup/breakdown" switch (a simple DPDT switch) to run the platter motor on ALPHA unit along with the MUT having full control of the platter motor via the variac on the STRONG MUT.

..making the two MUTS incompatible with each other's platter unit.

You're best to get the matching MUT .. a MK35 Christie MUT

(but, if the AP3 just need brushes for the motors, goto Grainger and get you some 1R236 brushes-comes 2 to a blister and 20 bucks will get you a set to replace all the brushes....)

Posted by Matthew McBride (Member # 6598) on 04-25-2012, 11:43 AM:

Thanks for the reply Monte. Unfortunately it's not just the brushes. One of the platter motors is dead and another is dying. The variac is dying and two of the 3 platters are so warped it's messing up the take-up plate causing extreme up/down motions. So it seems that I'll have to get a MUT if I replace with a christie platter.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 04-25-2012, 05:39 PM:

What you do with warped STRONG platter decks:

(this is caused by splicing on the platter deck itself, or someone is just putting all of their upper body weight on the deck when lacing the brain-decks are terribly flimsy in this department...),

Take the deck off the spindle, lay the deck face down on the solid and flat floor, take a pair of vise grips and rebend the "spider leg" deck supports back to vertical square.

This get's some of the warp out of the decks-not all, but most of the warp.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 04-25-2012, 07:05 PM:

I have Christie muts in Louisville. Louis

Posted by Matthew McBride (Member # 6598) on 04-26-2012, 11:39 AM:

Louis I just sent you a PM.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 04-26-2012, 02:01 PM:

Glad to see that Matt..I was about to say that with all the conversions and closures you should have no trouble at all finding a MUT or platters real cheap. [Smile]

Posted by Matthew McBride (Member # 6598) on 04-26-2012, 02:44 PM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
Take the deck off the spindle, lay the deck face down on the solid and flat floor, take a pair of vise grips and rebend the "spider leg" deck supports back to vertical square

Monte I have tried this before and I had no such luck, but maybe I was doing it wrong so I will try it again.

Tony, I know of one person here that has a bunch of AW3s lying around but I have a feeling he isn't going to give it away for a fair price just by talking to him. Which I'm not okay with after getting a little swindled on the platter system I have now. I'm plan on making my decision in July though, I gotta sort some finances as I'm moving in August, so I've got to plan for that. I do know that LIT has some refurbished ones out in Cali, but then shipping becomes an issue.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 05-07-2012, 12:54 AM:

Yeah I hear ya on the shipping thing.

As for the guy who has them near you, (and I am serious here) an offer of a dinner for him (and his wife/mate/partner as applicable) will go a long way to getting you what you want at a better price. Also, clearly explaining that this is for your own personal use and not for resale will get you a better deal in many cases. (That's how I got my CP-650 at a great price.)

Let us know how this turns out!

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-07-2012, 02:51 PM:

Still no word! Louis

Posted by Matthew McBride (Member # 6598) on 05-09-2012, 12:34 PM:

Tony, thanks for the advice I will try out the dinner idea. I never thought about that. He does know however that it is for my personal use. I just get the feeling he's trying to make a huge profit on it, though I can't imagine why as he has about 12 of them in storage, so I have no clue what he's gonna do with them especially since he's only a 2 screen.

Louis, I just sent you an email too.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-09-2012, 01:56 PM:

replied

Posted by Matthew McBride (Member # 6598) on 05-21-2012, 10:04 AM:

Here was the outcome. I took a little trip down to Louisville and met with Louis. I returned with a completely rebuilt AP3 with two spare motors. I went with the AP3, since it was completely rebuilt and I can part out my old one for spare parts, the parts that still function of course. Louis also taught me another trick in how to straighten the disks (it requires some re-drilling of holes) that I will give a try. If I am able to pull it off, I'll have some spare disks too.

Louis, thanks for all the help, and it was a pleasure to meet you. [Smile]

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 05-21-2012, 10:20 AM:

The report of Hadden's closing were exaggerated!

Welcome Back.