Amateur Cine World (December 1936)

(Continued from previous page) use a scraper of this kind. Dare we hope that this article will induce some manufacturer of cine gadgets to produce a hand scraper with hardened steel blade similar to the blades fitted to automatic splicers ? In the meantime the majority of amateurs will have to use some other form of hand scraper. Pen knives and razor blades are not very suitable: it is much better to use a square-ended scraper similar to that supplied with certain types of splicers. A scraper of this kind may be made satisfactorily from a piece of broken hack-saw blade, as used by metal workers. An Improvised Scraper Get a piece about 3 in. long and, on an oil-stone, rub down one end so that it is square across but very slightly bevelled on the edge. Alternatively, it need not be bevelled but may be rubbed on the stone until a slight burr is left on the edges, after the manner of the ordinary wood scraper. This forms an excellent tool for scraping films. If it is possible to grind away the teeth of its original function, the hack-saw blade will be more comfortable in use. Most splicers which are not simple ‘‘ joining presses i are provided with guides or shields, to ensure that just the right amount of film is scraped, and also with cutters ‘The which trim the film with just sufficient overhang to cover exactly the scraped portion, when joined. Those who have joining presses in which these matters are not taken care of, must be very careful indeed to see that no white line is left through the overlapping end of film not fully covering the scraped end. Indeed, to avoid either a white or a dark line is such a troublesome procedure that no one who has experienced the business would dream of buying a splicer which did not at least save him that worry. Scrape Round Perforations Some splicers, however, do not hold the film firmly enough during the scraping operation: the teeth which engage the perforations, or the pins which contact with the edges of the film, allow too much play to the film which consequently moves from side to side during the process of scraping. Moreover, this play is frequently responsible for a “staggered” or a ‘‘slewed”’ joint when the cemented ends are placed under the spring clamp. It is in this matter of holding films firmly without sidelash and yet without reaming the perforations, that the better quality splicers score. Most amateurs fail to scrape thoroughly around the film perforations, particularly in 16 mm. and 8 mm. film. This is most essential if a perfect splice is to be secured; but considerable care is necessary to avoid breaking away the corners of the film. To Clean or to Scrape ? Although all-instructions issued with splicers mention the necessity of scraping the emulsion from one piece of film, very few make any reference to cleaning the portion that is to be cemented on to the scraped piece. Indeed, when I once recommended in a book that the celluloid side of the second piece of film should also be scraped, a well-known concern wrote to tell me it wasn’t necessary ! Necessary or not, I always find that a more satisfactory splice is accomplished when both pieces of film have been scraped at their contact faces. Not only does this ensure that the surfaces are free from dirt or grease, but it also provides a “key” or slight roughness which enables the ‘‘ cement ’’ better to do its work of dissolving the surfaces. It is true that at least one instruction leaflet mentions the necessity of both ends of film being quite free from oil or grease, and recommends the cleaning of the second (unscraped) piece of film on the celluloid side with a clean rag moistened with benzene or spirit ; but I prefer to scrape both ends for the reasons already given. Some instructions recommend that the celluloid side of the second piece of film be lightly treated with cement which is then immediately wiped off. The purpose of this is to provide a “‘ key” similar to (but, in my opinion, less efficient than) that furnished ART o Reflections in water make most effective pictorial studies; the reflection alone can sometimes be more expressive than the actual object. 418 by scraping. Immediately scraping operations are finished, all ‘‘ filings” of film should be carefully brushed away : 4 z= =_—