Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Kinoton FP-18 Skates and Runners

This is topic Kinoton FP-18 Skates and Runners in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Matthew Jaro (Member # 1786) on 02-19-2015, 10:27 AM:

I get about 300 hours of service on my FP-18 for a skate. Is this normal? The gate alignment seems perfect and the tension doesn't seem too tight. The runners don't seem to wear much in this time. The skates I use have the steel pin to let the skate retract when the gate is opened. I also have an older skate without the pin (FP-16?) which seems to be a thicker mold but I haven't tried this one.

In an earlier thread, (Kinoton FP-18 help needed), Mark Gulbransen mentioned that he was experimenting with 3D printing the part. I wonder if the experiment was successful.

I have an offer from a mechanical engineer friend to make a professional CAD model of the skate, from which either an injection mold could be made or 3D printing used. If this would be helpful, then I will be glad to ask for the model and I would share it with anyone thinking of manufacturing the part. I assume that models of he runners can be made, too. I believe the skates are made of delrin. Are the runners also delrin?

The other parts that are likely to wear on an FP-18 are the reel feed and takeup belts. These are a strange nylon type of material. I should probably try to get a spare set if anyone has extras. Obviously, it would be nice if intermittent parts could also be made.