Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Splicer at Ebay-should I bid?

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Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 01-24-2001, 07:32 PM:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1208249878
Well? Is this a piece of junk or a steal?

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 01-24-2001, 08:08 PM:

I frankly have never seen a splicer like that one.

It appears to perhaps use a "hot melt" adhesive (the roll of white material) to make the splice. Since whatever is in that roll is used to make the splices, I wonder if you can still buy new material.

It looks like something from the early 1950's? Buy it for historical interest, but stay with current technology if you want a splicer to work with.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Pete Lawrence (Member # 130) on 01-24-2001, 08:38 PM:

No! Don't buy it! There is a good chance that it's a microfilm version and has no pins to pick up the sprocket holes. John, that white tape is a roll of sheet Teflon, not adhesive. This thing works the same as one of those plastic bag heat sealers. Melt the plastic and with pressure squeeze the two layers together. Might have been interesting at $9.95 but not at $79. How do I know? I got one for $5 a couple of years ago. I know, it's useless, but it was calling to me!

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-24-2001, 09:03 PM:

IMHO: Buy it if you want a "toy" to play with. If you want something to actually work with, get something else.

At $80, mimimum bid, (Plus shipping) it's an awfully expensive toy, though! DEFINATELY don't go over $90! People have a tendancy to get "bidding fever" on Ebay. If you don't watch your ass you could end up paying a lot of $$ for something!

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-25-2001, 04:33 AM:

I've never seen anything like this, either. Very strange. As someone else mentioned, make sure it's not a microfilm version (I know someone who got a 16mm Ciro splicer that's really the microfilm version...he'd _love_ to trade it for the motion-picture version).

I got a Neumade splicer which appeared to be in good condition last week on Ebay for about $138, which is a steal and not much more than I paid for the Ciro that I've been using (and will probably sell soon). There are some good deals out there (yes, even on Ebay) if you're patient).

For historical interest/paperweight use, there are better and cheaper choices, most notably the Griswold cement splicers which are totally useless with ESTAR-base film and which usually sell for $0-10 in junk sales, etc. and can often be found in attics of old theatres. Don't pay too much for these.

The Maier-Hancock 16/35 "hot splicer" (basically a fancy cement splicer) is still useful for cutting camera negative material and still expensive ($200+). I've been in the market for one of these for a while, but have never seen one go "cheaply."

Perhaps more interesting is this 1950s-vintage Bell and Howell foot-operated hot splicer. I don't know the history of this, but it certainly looks cool.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 01-25-2001, 07:56 AM:

Scott:

Those Bell and Howell foot splicers are still the "workhorse" for negative cutters. Watching a skilled operator make splices (the foot pedals operate the heated plattens) is to watch poetry in motion.

Where did you photograph the B&H foot splicer?

Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 01-25-2001, 02:16 PM:

Look at the meter on the splicer (photo from eBay) what the heck is that for? - is it some sort of ''hot-splicer'', it looks to be electrical driven??

------------------
Martin Frandsen
Film crazy!, Big 70mm fan!

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-25-2001, 04:34 PM:

John -- that splicer is in the booth at the Colonial Williamsburg visitors' center. It is set up for CS perfs and used to be used for repairing mag VistaVision prints before they switched to 70mm for their tourist film.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 01-25-2001, 05:27 PM:

Looks like a collector's item to me. Neat toy if you want to shell out the money. It doesn't look like it has any practical use, other than a boat anchor.

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 01-27-2001, 12:52 AM:

Well, as you can see by following the link it finally went for $101.50. I hope whoever got it enjoys their paperwieght