Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: eprad sword question

This is topic eprad sword question in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005150

Posted by Dave Ganoe (Member # 53) on 07-28-2003, 07:22 PM:

Is it possible to use any other soundhead with an eprad sword other than an eprad soundhead? I have an rca 1040 and wondered if it would fit without any modifications? I dont have the sword yet but Im hoping to get it soon. I dont have much room to set up and it will be a great space saver. THanks in advance.

Posted by Tom Sauter (Member # 616) on 07-29-2003, 09:44 AM:

Yes it will work with other soundheads. The Eprad sword is a combination pedestal/film transport device that doesn't care what kind of projector is mounted to it. You may need an adapter plate to line up the mounting holes in the RCA soundhead to the projector head, as well as to the sword. There is an Eprad sword installation manual in the "manuals" section of this forum...

Hint: make sure all conduit and cabling goes BELOW the bottom rollers of the film loop created by the sword. This will allow you to stop a film in the middle and rewind without splicing, particularly handy for changing trailers and the like.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-29-2003, 01:57 PM:

The way a lot of them mounted was the top plate extended through between the projector and lamphouse so it is probably possible to make a template and drill the top plate
Other versions actually had a bullnose on them

Posted by Tony Ratcliff (Member # 1196) on 07-29-2003, 02:01 PM:

I've got Swords in both of my houses.
Both have a Simplex E-7 projector head and SH-1000 sound head.

Posted by Tom Sauter (Member # 616) on 07-29-2003, 03:09 PM:

I think Tony has probably had his Swords apart further than anyone on this list [Smile]

An earlier discussion on this same topic is here.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-29-2003, 08:26 PM:

These are pretty much the same as the Double MUT. They operate about the same too and are easy to repair...or build fomr scratch if one is needed.
I always wanted to see EPRAD make a product called the "Machine GUN"........
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 07-30-2003, 12:20 AM:

If we had stayed reel-to-reel... and if the machine was still supported, I'd have stayed with the Sword in a heartbeat. The powered feed AND takeup spindles worked far better than the old Cinemechanica tower I once had. [puke]

The Double MUT was cool, too. I still have a couple of 4' reels that we used at a drive-in. Got two features on that critter, no problem. We usually waited until the next evening to rewind, though. Took about half an hour! Both Eprad products had absolutely no problem dealing with fast or slow starting projectors.

Posted by Peter Kerchinsky (Member # 1098) on 07-30-2003, 05:07 AM:

I've run several Double MUTS in theatres, never having a problem with them.
Never encountered a SWORD, although a friend of mine had two running in a tri-plex. His only complaint was rewind time between showings. I told him to build a rewind bench that would handle the 4' reels and that solved his rewind time on the SWORD. A Kel-Mar rewind will take a 36" reel with no problem, if you can lift it that far.

Posted by Paul Trimboli (Member # 1509) on 07-30-2003, 07:36 AM:

Mark you mention it is fairly straight foward to make up a double mutt if needed. What would be involved? Would it be possible to make it like a plater that pays out from the edge with the film being head out? Just need something for some outdoor shows and so am looking into other options.

Posted by Paul Trimboli (Member # 1509) on 07-30-2003, 08:12 AM:

Mark you mention it is fairly straight foward to make up a double mutt if needed. What would be involved? Would it be possible to make it like a plater that pays out from the edge with the film being head out? Just need something for some outdoor shows and so am looking into other options.