The Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1913)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 377 Motiograph Machine. Mr. H. D. McCain, Harrison, Idaho, asks if I consider a 1909 Model Motiograph capable of projecting as good a picture as the later models. If not. can I suggest any change in shutter, lens, etc., which might improve the picture? No; I do not consider it practical to do as uniformly good work with the Old model machines as with the new Nor is it practical to so change the old model machine that the same work can be done. Many improvements have been made in the lamp, lamphouse, mechanism and stand, all of which, in one way or another, make for better work, since they not only enaDle the operator to handle his light better, but also reduce vibration and in general enable him to produce better results, although the intermittent movement, lens and shutter have been changed very little. if any. Canton, Pa., writes: Machine Chirps. I am annoyed by a "chirp," or rattle, which has developed in my Power's 6-A machine, and which I am unable to locate. The sound is very sharp and can be heard in all parts of the house, although it is not present when the machine is run without the film. I have tested every sprocket idler and every part that the film touches on its way through the machine, and everything seems to be O. K. Do you consider it a good plan to attach a color wheel to the cone of the stereopticon? Can you suggest a plan that will enable me to use the stereopticon as a flood light to cover the entire stage? I trust you can answer the above through our indispensable Projection Department. As to that chirping machine of yours, I hardly know what to say, but would recommend that you set up the intermittent movement as per Instruction No. 39, page 281 of the handbook. If any operator has had a similar experience, let him set it forth. Certainly a color wheel can be attached in front of the stereopticon cone, but you cannot use a stereo for flood light unless one of the condensers be removed. Even then it would hardly be practical. One-Armed Operator. From Indianapolis, Ind., comes the following: I have a copy of your latest handbook and think it is great. Did you ever come across a one-armed operator? Well, allow me to introduce myself.* I have only one hand — the left. Have been running a projection machine for five years, and giving satisfaction— or, at least, everybody says I am; also they say that I have the best a. c. light they have ever looked at. Am using a B. & H. transformer that has had four years* service, and I get a spot like a rectifier spot — perfectly round and bright. Of course I use a motor drive, but have never found one that gave perfect satisfaction in speed control. Have used the Chambless motor attachment on both Edison and Power's "Six" and think they are fine. Am a member of the I. A. T. S. E., Auxiliary No. 10, Evansville. Ind. It certainly must be considered something of a feat to handle a projection machine with one hand. Just how the brother manages to thread the machine and the lower reel, and do it quickly, is a puzzle. The man who produces good results under such conditions as these is certainly to be commended, and I congratulate him on the pluck he has displayed in mastering the profession of operating. Has Troubles of His Own. From New Brunswick (I cannot make out the name of the town) comes the following: The picture does not set square in the aperture of my Edison Model B. All the sprockets are in line, and I have my aperture plate set straight, but when titles are on the lines of printing do not set square with the top or bottom edge of the aperture, and I cannot seem to locate the trouble. It is not noticeable in the picture. We have a very good license law here, which just came into effect this year. My employer is the tallest and largest man in the moving picture business. Perhaps you think I am wrong, but I will send you his picture some time. We are building a new theater, and will also send a picture of that when completed. As to the machine trouble, I think either your aperture does not set -square* with the machine, or else your intermittent sprocket is too far one way and your top gate rollers, or the top of the gate itself, too far the other way. It is probable, however, the fault is due to the aperture. I think you will find that the screws holding casting 18181, plate 5, page 238 of the handbook, have worked loose and allowed the casting to drop a little on one side, thus throwing the aperture out of line. If, however, the aperture is straight and square with the machine, then you must shift your intermittent sprocket one way and the top roller gates the other. I will be glad to have a picture of your new theater operating room; also of the heavyweight manager. Power's Lamp Adjustment. Mr. G. S. Guernsey, Harvard, Neb., inquires: Where can 1 secure carbon holders for the regular Power's Six lamp, with the upper holder arranged so as to permit the adjustment of the upper carbon in relation to the lower? You cannot, Brother Guernsey, so far as I know. Power's S»x A lamp has those adjustments. A number of operators have remodeled their Power's Six A lamps and supplied that adjustment themselves. You will find their methods described in back numbers of the department. Head Twisted. Mr. Alfred Fowler, Alliance, Ohio, writes, enclosing money for handbook and asking the following question: (1) My picture jumps up and down on the screen; Power's 6-A. What is the remedy? The operator's poem in February 13th issue certainly was fine. More truth than poetry, however. (Huh I Wonder what brother Clark will make out of that. — Ed.) I hand you herewith a photo of my operating room. It only shows one machine, though we have two, but if you publish it, for the love of Mike cut me out, because my head is crooked, though that is no sign that I am crooKed myself. Allow me to assure you it was the photographer's fault. On May 25th we are going to have a big blowout here, and there will be men from four surrounding states attending. You are cordially invited to come to the banquet. I am projecting a 12-foot picture at 76 feet. There is just a least little bit of travel ghost at the top of titled letters. We have a mirror screen, a two-wing shutter, with a motor-driven machine, and the flicker is pretty bad. I do not see anything the matter with that head, neighbor Fowler. Looks just like a gink who is having his phogytrap tuk. I have been there myself. You were afraid the flashlight was going to hurt your eyes, but it didn't, did it? As to the jump in the picture, be sure that there is no gum or dirt on the face of your intermittent sprocket. Be sure that your tension is tight enough. If not, tighten up screw 734, plate 1, page 272 of the handbook. I cannot answer such questions very well without having the jump more accurately described. One kind of a jump means one thing, and another kind may mean something entirely different. Your operating room looks all right, except that I do not see any vent flue, and I would advise you to hang your wall shutters as illustrated on page 78 of the handbook. As to the flicker, projecting with a two-wing shutter on a mirror screen will produce some flicker. I think you will get better results by holding your speed down below 65, using a three-wing shutter. As to the travel ghost, your shutter wants a little setting. In this connection I would recommend that you study pages 217 to 223, inclusive, of the new handbook. Meanwhile loosen screws 739, Fig. 120, page 382, and revolve the top of the shutter away from you. just a little. Moving your Lamp. Valley, Wash., says he has a Motiograph end that sometimes the spot is large enough, and sometimes it is not, and that he moves the lamphouse backward or forward to alter the size of the spot. Supposing you try moving your lamp ahead and back, instead of moving the lamphouse. Some Scheme. From Minneapolis, Minn., comes the following valuable contribution: I have been operating about nine months and have had excellent success. The censors are very strict here, and wherever a flag shows it has to be cut out. It occurs to me that, rather than cut the flag out, we could stick a piece of tape on the lens where it shows. All of which is respectfully submitted to our department readers as being a real bright idea. Hallberg Found It. Mr. T. Rauch, New Orleans, La., writes: Regarding the five-point star which you recently said you did not think I could get in this country, Mr. Hallberg has again proven his ability to secure, somewhere and somehow, about anything you ask for. The twenty-tooth sprocket he got for me is giving A-: results. Your Handbook, which is right beside me now, certainly is great; in fact, it is indeed a "friend in need." And now, I suppose neighbor Hallberg will swell up like a toy balloon. Well, he is a pretty good scout at that, so I do not mind handing him this bouquet of words; particularly since he seems to deserve it. I remove my chapeau, step two paces to the rear and make my most elaborate bow, friend Hallberg. May your shadow never grow less, or your ability to discover things suffer no diminution.