This is topic Platter Scratches in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Kyle Watkins (Member # 986) on 09-08-2001, 08:02 PM:
Hello everyone. I though I say HI to everyone first since this is my first post. I been lurking around here for some time now. I think its about time I register.My problem is with all the scratches I've been getting on my platters. I'm using Neumade Neuexcel 2000. These platters get scratched very easily. Seems like, doesn't matter how careful we are the still kept getting more and more scratches. Specially with clamps when moving prints. They are also very rough in texture, not smooth as every platter system I used over the years. Questions is are the platter supposed to be coated with something, to protect them? Is there anything that can be filled into the scratches? And if they are coated, is this something we could do? Any help will be appreciation.
thanks Kyle
Posted by Michael Wohlford (Member # 905) on 09-08-2001, 09:44 PM:
Are your platters metal? If so, I have been taught to use VERY VERY fine steel wool and uniformally smooth out the platter. After that, clean the platter extremely well with alcohol and paper towels.
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 09-09-2001, 10:16 AM:
It's most likely the film clamps. They are made of steel and will definitely scratch the platter decks. I notice many of those clamps have the leading edge ground down to resemble a knife, to make it easier to slide in under the film. After a while, that edge gets banged against something, and now there's a nick or burr.That nick or burr will now scratch the deck (or if bent the other way, the film) each time the clamps are used.
You could certainly use Michael's suggestion regarding steel wool; for deeper scratches; I use the edge of a file to "carve" any burrs away, then file it to smooth it out.
On newer platters, the decks are unpainted and uncoated to allow polyester film to be "grounded" to help prevent the static problems associated with polyester. Coating them might lessen this advantage. I don't know of any filler that would adhere to the small surface area of a scratch. Certainly, nothing that would make the scratches go away, so the decks look good again.
My suggestion is to simply not use the clamps. I dislike them, for several reasons, but mostly because of the "knife-edge" reason. I prefer those round, "doughnut" shaped things made out of thin plywood or maisonite (sp?)
Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 09-09-2001, 11:29 AM:
You might try Scotch Bright pads. They come in 3 textures. We use them around the shop for deburring aluminum. You probably seen their cousins around the kitchen. You can get them at industrial supply stores.------------------
Greg Mueller
Amateur Astronomer, Machinist, Filmnut
http://www.muellersatomics.com/
Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 09-09-2001, 11:51 AM:
Hmmm. If anyone can see a reason not to do what I'm about to suggest, please step in. I'm just musing. Why not tape a couple of strips of scrap film flat across the surface of the platter? By just taping or clamping the ends, when you need to move a print you can release one end and lift the film enough to get the clamps underneath without scratching the platter. Two strips shouldn't affect the electrical ground, and the film "lifters" could remain on the platters. The thickness should be well within the normal specs.
Anyone see downsides to this idea?
Now if platters had a couple of recessed areas across the width, this wouldn't be needed! I always hated putting pressure on the film to inch it up that first little bit so I could slide a clamp into place.
Posted by Matthew Bailey (Member # 601) on 09-09-2001, 06:47 PM:
If your film platter is a Christie like mine,you could sand the decks
as explained in the tips section.You could use the Goldberg platter reels with felt put on them or use the no-slip strips you stick
on your bathroom floor or bathtub across each platter.
I think no-slip strips would be useful in preventing thrown or sliding prints.
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 09-10-2001, 01:03 AM:
>>use the no-slip strips you stick on your bathroom floor or bathtub across each platter.<<Please tell me you're kidding...
You are beginning to scare me.
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 09-10-2001, 01:40 AM:
Actually, Aaron, this is a great idea.
And I bet if you stack them on top of each other and you make them high enough, they will make these little marks on the film that resemble scratches to remind the audience that theyre watching a film and not some crappy digital video projection or something or other.
Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 09-10-2001, 02:52 AM:
actually as scary as it sounds ive seen very compotent techs suggest this. I would never do it though.
Posted by Sean M. Grimes (Member # 445) on 09-10-2001, 04:24 AM:
Ya know- do not "glue" or put anything on your platter decks. Build yourself a cart with wheels that line up with the bottom deck - if you have to move a print just spool it onto the bottom platter deck(or just grab youself a shopping cart and build it level to the middle deck with a "doughnut" on top of it). Perhaps, just maybe if you do really need to use clamps with a long movie, Leave a doughnut (a circular piece of masonite with a space for the brain and two holes for the center ring to fit) and spool the film onto that. Last sugesstion, take pieces of duct-tape and tape them to the bottom of the clamps so they do not make contact with the platter decks.Or just scratch the hell out of 'em and buff em down until there's nothing left. 
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 09-10-2001, 10:15 AM:
Matthew Bailey suggested: "use the no-slip strips you stick on your bathroom floor or bathtub across each platter. I think no-slip strips would be useful in preventing thrown or sliding prints."Actually, this is not a new idea! There was an invention called the Non-Slip Platter Disk (patent applied for), sold by Projection Technology, Inc. (phone: (516) 576-0767). This unique invention by projectionists Stuart Boritz, Edmund Nardone, and Andrew Fetherman fit on the platter surface, and although it didn't eliminate static cling, it helped separate the film laps if they stuck together, and provided a non-slip surface so the film roll didn/t slide. I recall that Speco had the disks on display at ShoWest or ShowEast a few years ago.
------------------
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 Matthew Bailey (Member # 601) on 09-10-2001, 05:23 PM:
There is acually 2 types of no-slip strips you stick inside your
bathtub. One has the sandpaper-like surface while the other
has only a rubber surface. I prefer the one with the rubber surface
to stick on the platters since it wont scratch the SDDS tracks.
Posted by Kyle Watkins (Member # 986) on 09-10-2001, 06:15 PM:
I don't know about using those no-slip strips. But i since the clamps are a problem i wont use them. I see what i can do about filling/sanding down the burrs so the film wont snag.thanks for the help
kyle
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 09-10-2001, 11:37 PM:
Whatever you do, don't wax your platters.