Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Splicer ID and Use

This is topic Splicer ID and Use in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jim Spohn (Member # 1547) on 10-18-2004, 11:17 AM:

I have a goofy looking splicer (not a gillotine type) it has the spool of tape mounted horizontly on the upper left hand corner of the face of the unit. The tape appears to be clear with large yellow H's on it. There is a spring loaded lever sticking up in the air with a block of plastic on it. The block of plastic has holes in the bottom of it. The lever can be pushed down and lowers the plastic block on to the splicing surface. I checked all the splicers in the "MANUALS" and don't see anything like this. It says it was made by "Filmequip". any help would be appreciated.... Jim

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 10-18-2004, 08:38 PM:

That is commonly known as an 'editor's block' or 'editor's splicer'. As you may guess, many film editors use such a beast to cut their film projects with.

They use perforated splicing tape and come in two flavors: one with a straight vertical cutting blade for cutting picture and another with an angled blade for cutting mag soundtrack stock.

-Aaron

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-19-2004, 01:56 AM:

I wanna say it was made by Rivas splicer corp. Hollywood Film Company still manufactures such a splicer.

Steve

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 10-19-2004, 02:24 AM:

i like this kind of splicer. i have both a straight cut and a diagonal cut version, like aaron's picture. only mine have thicker tampers with razor blades on them, not serrated like in the picture. i've only seen the serrated tamper on another brand (hollywood, i think), which doesn't align the tape as well. if you have the serrated tamper, it's best imo to cut the tape first before laying it on the splicer so you don't get a horrid jagged line running through the frame. makes it easier to peel cleanly as well. actually, i pre-cut the tape anyways since i don't make 4-perf splices.

even though it takes marginally more time and the tape is more expensive, i prefer this style of splicer.

carl

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-19-2004, 03:27 AM:

Actually it takes less than 2 seconds for a seasoned editor to make a splice with one of those!! Thats alot faster than you can make one with a well maintained Neumade. That version with the serrated edge is detested by most editors.

Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 10-19-2004, 07:04 AM:

I spent a number of years working in feature post production and I don't remember ever seeing editors use the diagonal splicer for sound though they were available if they wanted them; it was all just straight cut. Mag of course was spliced with the very strong white tape, single sided. Thus, straight cut splicers were often equipped with a holder for a 2nd roll of tape.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-19-2004, 08:11 AM:

Hudsen Photo still makes 35mm "splice tabs" that kinda look like a band-aid. So, instead of cutting a roll of pre-perf tape into strips, they are already for you.

I've found that those that like this sort of splicer are sticklers too about no little "chads" coming up too.

Steve

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 10-20-2004, 01:53 AM:

damn right i'm a stickler for no chads!

carl

Posted by Webster Colcord (Member # 1955) on 10-20-2004, 12:54 PM:

You can also do a splice which covers only one perf on either side of the splice, which you can't do with a guillotine. There are a few out there made in the last 10 years which are a vast improvement over the standard black model, they have a highly polished surface on the top with grooves at every four perfs, allowing you to see the frame line better. Here's a picture-