Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Christie prices

This is topic Christie prices in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Ian Bailey (Member # 1752) on 02-25-2004, 04:52 AM:

After reading the "Christie AW3 platter Tweeking" in the tips section I had a go on my AW3.Everything went fine up to the spring tesion adjustment on the payout arm.No way I could adjust the tension light enough to stop the problem of the print wrapping around the brain a bit on payout.The springs were way out of shape and had obviously been in use for many years.I contacted my tech service to see if he had them or could get a price on them.Well he got me a price alright-Christie want more than $40US for each spring.That equates to $67AU each.These springs could not be worth more than $5 each!!!Are Christie prices always over the top or is someone having a lend of me?
Can anyone else supply these springs at a sensible price?

Posted by Jamie Sanson (Member # 1161) on 02-25-2004, 05:10 AM:

Hi Ian

I will have a look for you and than get back to you. Don’t forget genuine parts all ways cost more but sometimes are the only way to go.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 02-25-2004, 06:48 AM:

That spring costs about $4. Either your dealer made a mistake looking that up in their price list, or they really want to rip you off.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 02-25-2004, 09:31 AM:

40 for a $4 part may sound outrageous but remember that the dealer in our case has to import it
I import parts from the US all the time and they are duty free under the terms of NAFTA but one still has to clear them through customs and that requires a broker
Most charge about $50.00 min to clear an item even if it is a $4.00 part that is duty free so my net cost would be $54.00
And in the case of some shipping companies you have to use their internal broker and that can be een more expensive

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 02-25-2004, 11:50 AM:

My experiences have been similar, especially with older AW3's.

Do all the tweeks Brad's way. Then get a ring with 2-3 trailers on it (this way you don't have to monkey with a complete print as you only need to do this for the first few minutes of it anyways), thread up and run. If the film begins to drag around the back, give the LED adjustment a very slight tweek (it shouldn't take more than a couple turns) until the film corrects itself on payout. When the film runs out, double check the takeup by pulling the swing arm all the way back and ensure the platter comes to a complete stop.

If the LED adjustment requires a good amount of adjustment (many turns) to get it feeding correctly, if the adjustment will not correct the feed at all, if the adjustment causes the takeup mode to not stop when the swing arm is pulled back, or if the film feeds fine after adjusting but oscillates in speed on takeup, then your LED head below the brain is bad, replace it and try again.

You also will want to make sure that the drive wheel on the motor is in good shape- if it is worn down to a smaller than normal size, sometimes the platter will not spin fast enough to properly adjust.

-Aaron

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-25-2004, 04:36 PM:

Its cheaper to rebuild them yourself. The sensor is available from Allied electronics and the LED can be any green or red LED that is the same size. Total cost would be less than 10 bucks to repair it.

Mark @ CLACO