diy ABLON

[retrograde]

Hi. Has anyone tried to make their own ABLON-type film trimmer guide with any success? If so, do you have any tips?

I've had enough with tiny mistakes in my freehad trimming causing problems with my iiif when film bits get in the curtains. And I'd like to try making my own guide before shelling out for a real or imitation ABLON on the auction site.

Thanks!

 

[Solinar]

I have an Ablon copy and find that I get a smoother cut drawing a cut out line with a thin tip "Sharpie" and cutting the leader with scissors.

Draw a line mid-way along the leader, with an up swoop about 3 and a half inch from the tip. I use an upside down film cannister to draw the up swoop and make then cut. I generally do about four rolls of film at once.

 

[retrograde]

Thanks, Andrew.

From what you're saying, it seems I could make a template out of anything sturdy (metal, cardboard, plastic) and then trace the outline onto the film with a sharpie, and then cut.

Which direction do you cut? Towards the film canister or away? Or does it matter?

 

[payasam]

If a rough guide line is drawn freehand, a pointed knife works just as well.

 

[Bill58]

Mark Hama in GA (markhama@comcast.net) has 'em for $35. It's a Taiwon made copy of ABLON. Otherwise, there's a template on the 'net here: http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page345.htm. A ladies curved cuticle scissors helps cut the inside/ outside radii.

 

[retrograde]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try these ideas out.

And the template on Fedka looks helpful, Bill. I'll try to use that.