Problem is, that dancer pin used to keep the dancer Strong and Potts use in their A-3 platter won't keep the dancer pinned while threading.
A real simple fix is:
1. Get yourself a pair of pliers, a file, hacksaw, and an electric drill and a 7/16 wrench.
2. Remove the upper bolt that holds the dancer assy to the tree, and loosen the bottom bolt so you can pull the assy far enough away and use a pair of plyers to remove the "C" clip from the dancer pinning pin.
3. Chuck the pin in an electric drill, and where the orginal "c" clip groove is, use the edge of a file to cut a groove the width of a tree thickness.
4. Use the hacksaw and cut a new "c" clip groove in the pin.
5. Cut one coil off the spring, and put the whole schmooy back together.
Now, when you pin the dancer, it will stay in place while the film is being threaded through the accumulator.
When you are done threading your projector, give the film a slight tug, and the pin will release.
Try it....It will make your day much nicer when you thread your system.
Xetron has done this on their XNR 335 and XNR 535 platters. It makes threading them like a dream. Modifying your A-3's will do the same thing.
Why Strong International has never incorporated that simple fix is beyond me. I hear tons of people complaining about how big a pain in the butt it is to make a fast turn-around because the roller drag on the film will cause the pin to dis-engage itself allowing the dancer to fall.
But the A-3's - well, that's a different story. Try advancing a long leader through it sometime. It won't do it without popping the pin. Even a stomp on the floor would pop the pin out sometimes.
While threading around the fail-safe, 99% of the time it will be tripped anyway. But that's ok......The objective is already accomplished. A small tug is great insurance.
Even if it the pin did not pop out, it will as soon as the take-up motor is energized.
In 11 years running Strong Platters, I have never heard of someone starting the projector with the pin still engaged. It just does not happen if everything is working properly.
I also give a slight tug with the AW-3 machines to insure the control arm will sense a tension and allow take up at start without having the film drop all over the floor.
If I forget to do that, it makes me feel like a North end of a South-bound horse. Not very impressive when you have a trainee watching!
Seems like a crane is needed to lift them sometimes.
....does that make sense?
Too much futzing around = too many possible errors. That is what can happen when you don't thread completely....I have seen my guys wrestle with that damn thing too many times, so I thought I would make it easier for them. Now they like it.
If you ever worked a platter that had provisions for the pin to stay engaged, it'll spoil you.
Once you get used to something being so easy, you'll join the ranks of those who will cuss the platter since the day it was born if it does not have the modification.
When you run a mega-plex, one does not have time to waltz around for two or three extra minutes, especially during tight turn arounds. Every second counts.
I missed your "banshee screaming" somewhere along the way. Was it at me?
I have heard comments on this previously and have noticed this problem myself. I call it an inconvenience but that's easy for me, I'm not dealing with a multiplex on a daily basis.
I have talked with the "Platter Guys" and they are looking into the modification you suggested. Looks minor and easy to implement from my side. I'll let you know what they tell me.
Thanks for the suggestion!!
Pat
I know everyone who runs the A-3 will really appreciate it!