P3D VM reels and mounting

[John Bradley <JB3D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jeremy Illingworth asks about VM mounting.
I'd advise stocking up on blank reels from Dalia
or Reel 3D. In England you can get supplies
from the Stereoscopic Society I think. I also
look out for old stock on sale at camera fairs or
at auction. I prefer the old Sawyers or GAF
reels. Whatever your source I think it wise
to have in a good supply against the awful day
when VM announce they will no longer be making
them.
With modern reels you then need to slightly open
the pockets. There was a speedee tool on sale
from Dalia for this , but I don't think it's available
any more. I use a lethal metal device made by 
sharpening a thin blade. This was given to me
by the old gentleman who sold me my camera
many years ago. You could grind down a feeler
gauge to do the job.
I assume you know how to sort left from right
chip.
I once experimented with the official insertion
tool from VM, but never again. I found it more
trouble than help. I pick up each chip between my
clean forefinger and thumb and slide it in, usually
finishing with wiggle to get the leading edge to
enter the far slot properly.
As to your question about repairing a separating old
commercial reel- I use either glue from a glue stick
such as Prit Stick, or a latex adhesive such as
Copydex. If necessary this is put in between the two
surfaces in very small quantities with a toothpick.
Kind regards,
John Bradley
JB3D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx


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