P3D RE: mounting options

["David W. Kesner" <drdave@xxxxxxxxxx>]

In p3d 3500 Mike Canter writes:

> The tacking iron is very small and very nimble but long sessions can
> get the operator warm.  The iron's width fits between the apertures on
> the mount perfectly.  I have the adjustable thermostat version but it
> must be set so high to seal properly that you may as well save some
> dough on the fixed temp model.

When I was using heat seal mounts I also used a Seal tacking iron. I 
found this to be VERY time comsuming. First seal the center, the 
each side, then the top, then the bottom.

I saw someone who made a set up by welding/soldering a jig to the 
bottom of a regular household iron. He also had cardboard squares 
that he placed in the aperature openings to help protect the film.

For all those using heat seals, just what method do you use and just 
how fast can you seal a slide?

> I feel that the film is not exposed to any more heat in mounting than
> in the projector.  (At least I've never melted a slide in mounting,
> but I've lost two in projection...)

Actually my main fear was slipping with the iron and running across 
the film. This was especially the case when trying to seal the very 
small area at all the edges.

That's all for now,

David W. Kesner
Boise, Idaho, USA
drdave@xxxxxxxxxx