RBT to Spicer Mounting

[P3D <LeRoyDDD@xxxxxxx>]

Paul Talbot is not a klutz! At least not until proven so after an in-person
demo and practice.

Word descriptions of physical processes are seldom successful and don't help
much when there is a "knack" to be learned.

Below is my RBT to Spicer method. It uses the inside fold of the Spicer to
line up the jig. The RBT mount must have the bottom removed to prevent
catching on the film chips on removal. An in-person demo would need far less
verbiage... by e-mail, even this much might not be enough.

If I factor in the "overhead" of separating RBT mount halves and putting in
alignment pins, I think I can mount like this just as quickly as into RBTs.
Once you have prepared RBTs, though, they're easier and you have more control
of vertical alignment with them.


The RBT "Jig"

     For trouble-free removal of the jig from the chips secured to the Spicer
mount, I find I must cut the bottom part of the RBT completely away.

Ascii RBT Jig depiction (use Courier or other monospaced font)

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|      /            \              /            \      |
|     /              \            /              \     |
|____/                \          /                \____|
                       \        /                  
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I cut the bottom corners out at 45 degrees(actually 135/225 as required)

To ease the task of using the jig, there are general mounting issues that
must be dealt with before beginning:

     1) The film must be flat. Seriously, flat! Apart from all other reasons
for flat film, the transfer process requires the chips to be attached only by
the alignment pins and if the chips have curl, they'll fall/shift off the
jig. Reverse roll, hanging, voodoo incantation... whatever works for you.

     2) A method must be figured out to get each chip onto the pins of the
correct jig aperture, not pseudo, not mirror, not upside down, correctly
windowed, etc. Once again, whatever works for you... cut to sorting box,
mount as cut, cut/shuffle try all combinations. I set the window by
freeviewing using strong reading glasses.

Before beginning, have ready/at hand:

     1) As many jigs as needed. Just one if chips are cut and sorted. Two if
mounting chips from standard 3D cameras as cut. Maybe 36-38 if mounting as
you cut from dual cameras!

     2) Sufficient Spicer mounts in the size of your jig/chips, apertures
open, tops(center) creased/bent.

     3) Method to secure bottom of chips to Spicer mount. I find Wess tabs
have strong enough adhesive and are dimensionally stable enough to keep the
chips from shifting. Don't know if aluminum tape will work and would not
recommend adhesive only.

     4) A method to keep mount closed. I use a 3/4 to one inch length of 3/4
inch "Magic" tape wrapped around the center bottom of the mount.

The Method:
(for right-handers)

     1) Using left hand, hold Spicer, part way folded(90 degrees),
back(square apertures) parallel to floor, thumb and middle finger at each end
of "spine"(fold). The fingernail of your forefinger will naturally fall at
center of top half(rounded apertures) of the mount.

     2) Using right hand, pick up the RBT jig with properly aligned
chips(chips and pins up). Hold by thumb and forefinger(thumb uppermost, of
course) at the center of the jig/mount and slide onto the back half of the
Spicer you have ready in your left hand. As you do this, transfer your right
forefinger to the outside of(under) the back half of the Spicer. This should
happen naturally.(Honest!)
       The thumb/forefinger of the right hand, pushing against the jig and
the Spicer mount in the left hand should easily and quickly square up against
the fold of the Spicer being steadied by the forefinger of the left hand and
center side to side between the middle finger and thumb of the left hand
which are holding the Spicer.

     3) Once the jig is squared up, hold the jig and Spicer together with
light but secure pressure of the thumb and forefinger of the right hand and
release the left hand from the combination. Transfer the combination to the
left hand by grasping the jig and Spicer with the thumb and middle or
forefinger of the left hand around the front half of the Spicer in a
similar(mirror) fashion to the way you are holding the combination with the
right hand.
        Your right hand is now free and the combination is aligned with the
bottom of the chips free for attaching to the Spicer.

     4) Place tabs(tape) on the bottom of each chip "longways" to the bottom
of the mount with some of the adhesive portion of the tab(tape) into the
sprockets, far enough up so as not to "hang out" of the folded Spicer. The
chips with the tabs(tape) on them should not be tacked down at this time and
should be firmly on the alignment pins.

     5) Check for alignment of the jig against the Spicer as in step two,
free right hand as in step three and, holding the alignment with the left
hand, "squeeze" the tab(tape), chip and bottom of the Spicer together for
each chip.

     6) Transfer the combination back to the right hand and lift the chip
tops off the alignment pins with the appropriate instrument(fingernail). The
jig will slip out of the combination with thumb pressure to the left.

     7) Check to see that the chip tops are still parallel with the inside of
the fold of the Spicer. I find if I squeezed the tabs firmly to the cardboard
mount in step 5 they retain alignment.
        Fold the mount closed, fasten as desired and enjoy.

If anyone has questions on how I remove curl, cut out chips, set window or
the above description, feel free to e-mail off list.

LeRoy Barco
LeRoyDDD@xxxxxxx


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