Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1948)

108 CURRENT TESTER A simple but foolproof device for determining whether an unknown current outlet is supplying alternating or direct power can be made from a one quarter watt neon glow lamp, obtainable at regular electrical supply houses. The lamp is mounted in the small sized socket of the common night light designed to be plugged directly into the outlet. When this unit is connected with AC, both halves of the neon filament will glow. When the power being tested is DC, only one half of the neon lamp will light up. I find such a simple testing device invaluable in protecting my double turntables when they are used in strange communities. Stuart D. Burdette Los Angeles, Calif. NO BREAK IN THE SHOW My brother in law, Matt P. Joyce, and I have worked out a projection booth which, because we use both his projector and mine, makes it possible for us to show films without the annoying interruption of changing reels. The photograph on this page makes the plan clear. The booth, which has three sides, cuts off unwanted projector light from both indoor and outdoor audiences. It is painted black on the inside; all panels are padded with quarter inch felt at the joint-. In the photograph, the booth is shown lower than it is placed for projection. It should, of course, be high enough to permit the operator's head to be inside. So that both projectors may be used alternately, to give continuous projection, a three way electric switch is placed on the panel board, controlling the two machines and the house lights. The opening at the top center permits the operator to see the screen. Harry J. Desko Kansas City, Kans. REPLACING CLAMP TUBING After years of constant use, the protective rubber tubing on a clampon reflector for indoor lighting will become dry and brittle. Eventually it will break off in spots, leaving bare metal. This damage causes not only scratched furniture, but it actually impairs the efficiency of the clamp. A length of windshield wiper hose, which will be found at any automobile supply store, makes an ideal replacement. The one eighth inch inside diameter of the wiper tubing will just fit the wire loops of the lighting clamp. Since the walls of the hose are thicker than ordinary rubber tubing, the increased cushion will give even more strength to the clamp. Tom Griberg, ACL Moline, 111. CEMENT THICKENER If your film cement is not holding splices well, you can improve it greatly by adding between one and Pictures, plans and ideas to solve your filming problems two inches of 8mm. or 16mm. film base, cut into small pieces which soon dissolve in the cement. Be sure, however, to remove all emulsion from the film first, by soaking it for a time in water. R. H. Adair, ACL Oak Park, 111. EAR SYRINGE CHASES DUST I used to be bothered with dust in the aperture of my projector, when it was in use, even if it had been cleaned well before projection. No amount of blowing with my own breath helped to clear the image. Then I found that a small rubber ear syringe, which we had used for our baby, did a better job. Placing its tip near the aperture and squeezing the bulb repeatedly cleared away the dust and fuzzy particles, without interfering with the projection. Herbert Greenwald New York City. CONTRIBUTORS TO The Clinic are paid from $2.00 to S5.00 for ideas and illustrations published. Your contributions are cordially invited. Address them to: The Clinic, Movie Makers, 420 Lexington Avenue, New York 17, N. Y. Please do not submit identical items to other magazines. DOUBLE projector housing, equipped with three way switch, controls room lights and projector operations, reports Harry Desko. RUBBER HOSE, designed for use with auto windshield wipers, gives a new grip to worn clamp-on lighting units, says Tom Griberg, ACL.