Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Perf-Fix machine

This is topic Perf-Fix machine in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 6256) on 04-25-2011, 05:13 AM:

I am awaiting delivery of a perf-fix machine. Unfortunately, the seller does not have the instructions, and I can find nothing on the internet. Can anyone help me please. Thanks.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 04-25-2011, 05:31 AM:

I used one a few times, but it must have been about 25 years ago. I can't remember the details, but I didn't have any instructions, and didn't have any difficulty using it; I think it was pretty clear how it worked just from looking at it.

I'm just about to leave home to go to Oxford, on the Oxford Tube.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 04-25-2011, 09:51 AM:

Haven't used mine in a long time as well, but I seem to recall that the threading path, such as it is, is etched on the side of the unit. But even if it is not, as Stephen says, it is fairly self explanatory.

Do you have a source for the Perfix tape? I had heard it is no longer manufactured. I'd be interested in knowing a source if you find one.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-25-2011, 10:34 AM:

Frank,

Christy's Editorial is supposed to be supplying it still (both A and B rolls).

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 04-26-2011, 07:19 PM:

I do have the manual, it's not the best manual I've ever seen, but if you need a copy, I might be able to make that happen.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 04-26-2011, 08:42 PM:

Bruce, please contact me via email and I can get the manual posted in the Warehouse for everyone.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 04-26-2011, 10:17 PM:

Thank you Bruce and Adam, I have been wanting that manual too!! [beer]

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 04-27-2011, 04:52 PM:

I have sent you an email, Adam.

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 04-28-2011, 10:38 PM:

Looking forward to reading the manual. I had no idea such a device existed.

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 04-29-2011, 07:51 AM:

We at the Temple Theatre used this machine and material to repair the totally destroyed perforations of "The Crimson Ghost" episode #8. The distributor was so sure we could not run the 35mm reel that they gave us a 16mm copy of that episode. We ran the 35mm reel after it was repaired. Because we used the Perf-Fix, the distributor was able to make a new duplicate copy of that reel from the one we repaired.

That was back in the earliest days for that machine. I believe about 1982 was when it was run. It preceded the movie and many people bought tickets to hear the organ and see the serial but left before the feature.

KEN

Posted by Alan Plester (Member # 852) on 04-29-2011, 01:38 PM:

Please put me out of my misery, & kindly explain what a perf-fix machine is?

Posted by Phil Ranucci (Member # 3820) on 04-29-2011, 01:41 PM:

It's a small machine that applies perforated tape to film in order to repair the sprocket holes so that you can run it.

Posted by Alan Plester (Member # 852) on 04-29-2011, 02:38 PM:

Many thanks for that.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-29-2011, 02:51 PM:

I still have a cinebug unit the best i found was the cinetreat machine

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 04-30-2011, 01:08 AM:

My theater ran a "four wall" presentation of a Billy Graham produced movie in the 80s. The print we ran had a few reels that had been repaired by one of the Perf-Fix machines.
I noticed it because I wanted to get one of those machines, but the higher ups said "no."

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 05-01-2011, 05:16 PM:

The unit is a great invention, but the real marvel is the tape itself which has a super adhesive. The tape itself is stronger than splicing tape and when it's applied to the film is as strong as if the area around the sprocket was not damaged at all. Film that has been repaired (and I have repaired damaged sprocket hole areas on BOTH sides of the filmstrip) plays with perhaps a little extra noise as it passes, but the image and sound are undisturbed and you can't tell the film was ever damaged.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 05-01-2011, 06:51 PM:

Assuming the Perf-Fix tape is clear, I'm wondering how the SR*D/SDDS/DTS tracks handle the repair?

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-01-2011, 08:19 PM:

Maybe it's just me but I think it would affect those soundtracks just as badly as if you didn't use the tape, because if the tape were able to affect those soundtracks, I would expect it would be because the soundtrack had already been messed up by the damage done to the film to begin with.

Oh, and apparently you can get tape for these things that is white instead of clear so that people could quickly see which areas were damaged when inspecting and such...

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-01-2011, 08:43 PM:

I've always found the repaired sections to be noticeable on screen, but of course, better than missing.

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 05-02-2011, 09:26 AM:

Perhaps just my experience, but I've found the white tape more likely to bleed through and the glue to spread causing subsequent layers of film on the reel to stick together. Just my experience.

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 05-04-2011, 07:00 PM:

BTW, the manual is in the Warehouse section here on Film-Tech, under Miscellaneous. The manual I had was not in the best of condition, the pictures were not very good, and had a very course dot pitch, so they did not scan very well.

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 6256) on 05-05-2011, 06:31 AM:

Thank you Bruce for your help, much appreciated.

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 6256) on 05-05-2011, 03:24 PM:

For the benefit of others; Perfix tape is available from the following:
Urbanski Film Supplies (USA)
numbersfilmsupply.com (Canada)
dancan.dk (Spain)
wittner-cinetec.com (Germany)

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 6256) on 05-06-2011, 05:22 AM:

Further to my original enquiry, can anyone tell me what the white tubing was made of, where you place the reel of tape. Mine has shrunk and needs to be replaced.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 05-06-2011, 01:33 PM:

Yes, thanks a bunch to Bruce!! [beer]

I have two of those beasts, one for 16mm and one for 35mm. The 16mm one is missing the tape holder tube as Robert calls it. (the original had turned to Christie platter drive roller goo.)

Robert, have you asked any of the tape suppliers you mentioned?

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 6256) on 05-06-2011, 03:42 PM:

Will look at some foam tubing in the DIY stores, hopefully I can get something of similar density.
Just discovered that here in the UK, the long established company Philip Rigby, who sell splicers, rewind arms, etc, under the name Premier, are selling a perforation repair machine under the name of Cinecare (photos available online); they also sell the tape in both 16 and 35mm. No prices listed. so at least there is no problem obtaining new tape if needed.

Posted by Kirk Futrell (Member # 5006) on 05-08-2011, 08:31 PM:

While doing a google search for the above mentioned Cinecare. I came across this interesting site: http://www.cinecare.com/Product.htm
Check out the picture of the "Cinema Stereo Processor" also you may watch the opening flash intro, complete with very wrong aspect pictures on their screen image, and read the about us section. Actually you may want to skip it, its very technical.
(Let me know if this post breaks Rule # 4 of the forum.)

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 6256) on 05-17-2011, 09:28 AM:

Frther to my earlier posting re; tube tape holder. I bought some Neoprene sheets (A4), advertised on Ebay as craft foam (dirt cheap). Using a white sheet, it was the work on 10 mins to cut it to width and make a roller. I tried it out this morning on a piece of leader, and it worked like a dream.