Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Aperture Plate File

This is topic Aperture Plate File in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-24-2010, 01:16 PM:

Does anyone know where I can order a good file to use on aperture plates? Someplace where I could order online or over the phone with a credit card would be preferred.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 03-24-2010, 01:24 PM:

Lavezzi Machine works sells them, I don't have the web addy handy but you can find them on Google search.

Be ready to spend some money though they are expensive.

I strongly suggest you get their trap alignment gauge (I think it's part # AG-1) to check alignment of film trap lateral guide rollers and the intermittant sprocket. Worth it's weight in gold for helping to eliminate image weave and film damage.

The steel film is handy for checking the film path and aligning outboard readers, film cleaners and reel arms.

Posted by David Zylstra (Member # 4230) on 03-24-2010, 01:47 PM:

I use an auger bit file for about $10 - the edges are triangular so you can get into the corners easy and alternating surfaces do not have teeth on them so you can file into a corner without messing the adjacent edge up.

Link to one online store

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-24-2010, 01:48 PM:

Awesome! Thanks Tony!

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 03-24-2010, 02:18 PM:

I once lost my aperture file so I ransacked the partner's beauty case where I found a diamond stainless nail file that is perfect for the job.

Because the cutting surface is industrial diamond, and the file is broad and flat, filing apertures is a snap...

... and if the better half threatens murder undignified, you can buy these nail files for a dollar or two at discount shops.

Good filing [thumbsup]

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-24-2010, 02:27 PM:

I second the recommendation for the Lavezzi files. I spent way too long working with cheesy hardware-store files (ever tried cutting a silent plate with those?) before breaking down and spending the $$$ on the Lavezzi files. It's a night-and-day difference.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-24-2010, 04:20 PM:

https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AGIPortalWeb/WebSource/ProductDisplay/globalProductDetailDisplay.do?item_code=NCH00258

this is what we use up here it can't be beat

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-24-2010, 04:30 PM:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I went with the Lavezzi. I love thier website you can order almost any projector part for a century/simplex machine it's great!

Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 03-24-2010, 04:32 PM:

I use precision files from Ace Hardware. Work great for me. There's even one in there that has a smooth edge for cutting those crisp corners. I had a tech with Regal that used jewelers' files.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-24-2010, 05:40 PM:

Just so you know Sean...any LaVezzi dealer can sell you LaVezzi stuff for less than the on-line store. I don't know about others, but WE take credit cards.

Steve

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-24-2010, 06:07 PM:

Thats great Steve... in the future I will do my shopping on-line and order through you [Wink]

Does cardinal sound have a website?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-24-2010, 07:18 PM:

Please note...that was not a sales pitch for us, in particular...just an example.

We do have a very laughably bad web site...I call it a place holder. It is one of those "get to" things.

We still work the old fashion way...phone (and email for me).

Note, many manufacturers have web stores...generally, however, you are paying full-tilt list.

Steve

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-24-2010, 07:28 PM:

All I've ever used for 32 years is the LaVezzi file and a nibbling tool. Sometimes a step drill helps out if you are starting with a pinhole aperature... which I happen to prefer... There are other tool places that sell an almost exact replica of the LaVezzi file... for alot more $$$

Note: I have tried many other technicians gimmiky file sets and always ended up finding out why they couldn't cut a clean hole... I always ended up runnning for my LaVezzi!

quote: Steve Guttag
Please note...that was not a sales pitch for us, in particular...just an example.

Why not... yous guys are ok... A small sales pitch once in a while is fine by me!!

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 03-24-2010, 10:34 PM:

Total agreement with Mark on LaVezzi files.

And PLeeesee buy through your local dealer. He makes a buck and you save money, too. Louis

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-24-2010, 11:58 PM:

What projector is this for? If it is for a Christie, Target (and probably Wal-Mart) sells a nail file by Revlon with a fine and course alternating sides for about $2 that works miracles with the Christie apertures. They work pretty decent for the Strong stuff as well, but if you are doing something like Kinoton forget it.

Regardless of the type of aperture, there is a particular type of file that is an absolute must for getting nice square corners and for getting perfect smoothing. I don't know who makes it, but I have always picked them up from American Cinema Equipment. (For all I know this is a Lavezzi file.) I'll have to get a picture of it when I am back in town. If I think about it I'll get a picture of some sample apertures with the masking open and no film in the gate to show you the capabilities of this file.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-25-2010, 12:07 AM:

quote: Mark G
A small sales pitch once in a while is fine by me!

That wasn't much of a pitch if he didn't even provide contact information or even who he works for. He just said "We accept credit cards" with no clue whatsoever as to who "we" is.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 03-25-2010, 09:57 AM:

There's a Who? button above every post. --jhawk

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-25-2010, 12:15 PM:

Thanks jhawk, I don't know what the world would do without you. But even that does say who he works for. Sean seems to know, where he got this info is beyond me. Also, thanks for signing your posts at the end, I was wondering who wrote it.

--Joe

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-25-2010, 12:15 PM:

Well Steve you have helped me out in the past with my Kinoton questions so I would not hesitate to order through cardinal. Louis is right we should order through our local dealers not only will us the customer get a cheaper price but it will help that dealer. In this case I was in a hurry as I had tried to order a file through another dealer local to NYC but they said they did not sell them.

The Lavezzi file is the "AF-13" which is the same file I used when I was with NCS. I never knew who made it I just knew to order a new one I put down "AF-13" on my order form. This file always worked well for me.

Brad, It is for a simplex 1014. Well actually two of them as it is a changeover house. Which makes me think of another good question;

Is there anything special to look out for when filing plates for a changeover set-up like making sure they match exactly or anything?

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 03-25-2010, 10:33 PM:

Not to be glib, BUT if you use the RP=40 the two plates will be identical. Just pretend you are running 2 projector 3D!!! Louis

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-26-2010, 11:42 AM:

Thanks Louis! I plan on using the PA-35 (rp-40) test film as always I just didn't know if there were any special caveats for a c/o system.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-26-2010, 01:33 PM:

Well, the plates should be slightly different due to side-to-side keystoning. If this is bad, then you might need offset lens collars (Michael Schaffer introduced me to these last summer). If you had Century projectors, you could achieve the same effect with the adjustment screw above the lens barrel.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 03-26-2010, 03:43 PM:

Those offset lens collars are ridiculously expensive. I have PR-1014s for my home screening room with an 18-ft throw and a 12-ft screen. To solve the horizontal keystone issue, Steve got me Strong G-07483 - Guide Assembly, upper lens (shifter)...ask him about them.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 03-26-2010, 08:05 PM:

I have a Cinerama shifter that works well, and would be cheap to copy. One large 4" tube with a smaller tube inside. On the front is two plates arranged with a hinge. Louis

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-27-2010, 08:11 AM:

Louis... All the Cinerama shifters I've seen were a lever at the top similar to the one that Phil is talking about for the Simplex.

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-27-2010, 10:39 AM:

Thanks for the advice guys! There really isn't too much Keystoning going on here. It is a nice set-up where the machines are pretty level with the center of the screen and close to each other. This set-up is already in operation but the origional plates are very very overcut and spill onto the masking way too much. I like a little spill to avoid aperture plate shadow but this is way too much even for me!