Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Xetron Wall mount film transport

This is topic Xetron Wall mount film transport in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Mike Fitzgerald (Member # 1304) on 08-01-2004, 05:19 PM:

I am looking for any information on the wall mount film transport like pictured here. I am looking for one to mount in my projection truck I am building so if anyone can help with information and a location of one please let me know.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 08-01-2004, 10:38 PM:

Wasn't it called WALT?

Posted by Gregory N. Jones (Member # 805) on 08-02-2004, 08:55 AM:

Steve is correct in that it was called the WALT - XWT-35 film transport. These were produced way before my time and up until 2002 we had zero info about this system in our archives. A fellow named Mike Suttkus was nice enough to send us the manual for this machine (dated August 1982) but I wouldn't know where one is currently operating. I know most of the parts used on it were from the old XNR platter and most of those parts are obsolete now. If anyone is interested in the manual, drop me an e-mail and I will forward it.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-02-2004, 01:56 PM:

Interested in hosting it on our manuals page for future reference as people come across those in the field.

Posted by Erick Akers (Member # 875) on 08-02-2004, 09:48 PM:

Hi Greg,

I would like to have a copy of this manual if at all possible [Big Grin]

and I'm sure you will be hearing from Fitz very shortly, as we were just talking about that a few nights ago.

Many Thanks to Mr Suttkus for taking time to dig this gem out!!! [thumbsup]

Take care!

Erick

Posted by Mike Fitzgerald (Member # 1304) on 08-02-2004, 10:30 PM:

Erick you are right I emailed him earlier tonight to see if I could get the manual. United Artists had them in some of their theaters and I have the feeling they just might still be hanging in some of them and I am hoping they want to get them off the wall and will contact me to take them off their hands. Well I can always hope. [thumbsup]

Posted by Peter Schoell (Member # 919) on 08-04-2004, 10:41 PM:

I'm planning to add a screen and the space available for a booth is very small. I was planning to cut down a CFS platter to about 40", but this 2 reel rig would even more space efficient. I had thought about building something like this too. If the WALT units still exist, buying would be better.
If you run across 2, please let me know.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-05-2004, 09:26 AM:

An EPRAD Double Mut is a far better solution and easily movable between booths, and very compact. The Double Mut has servo feed on both sides making payout and take up really, really nice and easy on both film and projector. They are no longer made but used ones can be had by checking around various dealers used inventory. Best part is the use of all off the shelf parts which can still be had easily. Just about all of the Sundance Film Festivals 35mm entries are run from Double Muts because it allows more flexibility in moving things around to various locations. The Double Mut was originally designed for use in 3-strip Cinerama presentations.

Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Mike Fitzgerald (Member # 1304) on 08-05-2004, 09:32 AM:

I had thought of the double Mut but for the use in my truck I think if I can find the WALT unit t would be a better use for me. My overall inside truck size is 7 feet wide by 14 feet long so space is a preminum.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-05-2004, 10:10 AM:

If I was doing the type of showings that you will be doing I would stick with something that is known to work reliably. Reliable equipment is the first priority, which is also why I question using the Bauers. So far no one here has any known experience with the WALT. You could call Big Sky and talk to Mark Smith about it. He was at Xetron during the WALT time frame. I don't think many were sold though.

Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-05-2004, 10:21 AM:

Eprad did sell a version of the dblmut called the Wall Mut that layout style is what you are looking for

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 08-05-2004, 10:43 AM:

They had this setup when they brought The Passion to show it on-campus in the arena. It was done by CineVision. My question is, is this a REAL double-mut, or something else rigged to work like one? It just didn't look "sound" to me, and it snapped the film at the tail when the show was over:

Side View:

Front View:

It always looked like the thing was going to tip over and come crashing down at any moment.

=TMP=

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-05-2004, 10:54 AM:

Yea, thats a real Double Mut. Mever seen one tip over, they're pretty heavy.

Mark

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-05-2004, 11:16 AM:

Never saw one snap a print either they are very gentle even saw one running with the reels on the wrong side once with no issues
It was also available in a 70mm version
I converted a Sword over to 35/70 and put a prevost favorite 3/70 head on it for a theatre that had a tower on each screen of the twin drivein and a platter at the indoor so prints could travel back and forth with minimum hassles
pictures are in the warehouse under century theatre

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 08-05-2004, 11:45 AM:

You can't really tell from the pics, but the double-mut was leaning a bit towards the payout side. Maybe due to an uneven floor? The break-in-question happened just before the blue ratings band, during the last bit of credits. The tail was not taped to the hub, either.

=TMP=

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-05-2004, 12:00 PM:

Maybe the dynamic breaking ( 200 watt light bulb inside the unit ) was not working.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 08-05-2004, 08:32 PM:

The Double MUT is commonly used to handle the mag track when an unmarried film is to be shown at a platter-equipped theatre.

Now...how about a picture of a Side Winder?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-05-2004, 09:11 PM:

Stupid operators deserve stupid results would be my reply to that one! Anyone that has problems as stupid as that while running an important show shouldn't be doing it in the first place, especially for the high price thats usually gotten for doing such a show.

I've never had any problems pulling off any location show perfectly..... not even a small problem for that matter.

The Double Mut does has leveling feet on the bottom.

Mark @ CLACO