Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Christie AW-3R Center Payout Question

This is topic Christie AW-3R Center Payout Question in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 05-20-2014, 10:56 PM:

I'm setting up my AW-3 and I have around 25 different center payout modules to choose from. Most have the usual three plastic rollers in the center but I have several that have 2 plastic and one metal roller. I'm assuming the metal units are the older ones. Should I use the payouts with the three plastic rollers?

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-20-2014, 11:06 PM:

Stick with 3 plastic GREEN rollers. Also don't get a brain with the older style stripper posts on it. The two in this drawing show the old type where if the film has any curl to it at all it can cause a scratch down the center of the film.

This picture shows the good kind. (Just barely visible)

Also stay away from the short payout arms. The longer arms almost reach to the edge of the black center feed plate, which is what you want.

At some point when you visit I'll go over the various settings and practices for you.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 05-21-2014, 05:36 AM:

The metal roller...was actually a later incarnation. It was one of the things that combated static by grounding the film. It was normally placed as the last roller that left the centerfeed. I preferred them over the plastic ones as it turned true since it had something other than delrin for a bearing surface. It would lessen the bounce. in fact, use of the MUT rollers for flanged and the metal flangeless throughout would yield a very stable feed from platter to projector.

Stay away from the black rollers though. They never turn true.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-21-2014, 11:53 AM:

I never had a problem. Then again I never threaded like so many people that drag their fingers through the rollers instead of gently sliding the film into them. I can see what you mean by using the MUT roller though.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-21-2014, 02:12 PM:

And remove the dam spring inside the center roller!

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 05-21-2014, 03:43 PM:

Brad, it's tough to see what you are referring to when comparing the top drawing with the bottom photo, which also happens to be at a completely different angle than the drawing. Could you describe in a little more detail what it is that should be avoided?