cutting sheet lith film

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sreenath - 19 Jul 2007 07:59 GMT

Hi All,

I would like some tips about cutting sheet lith films so that I can
roll it into 120 roll film, or load into pinhole/box
camera.

I get this film in 20"x24" size.

I once did it and found it very hard to cut the film- I used the
normal print paper trimmer. The film is too
thin and the blade simple moved over the film instead of cutting it.

One more problem was holding the film still. It tends to curl and wrap
around severely. The film itself is sold rolled
in a 2" dia plastic tube. Would it be possible to make a fixture for
this purpose?

I regularly use get normal 120 film, so this is just for fun. This
film has no grain whatsoever.

thanks for any tips,
Sreenath

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Lawrence Akutagawa - 19 Jul 2007 08:26 GMT

> Hi All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> thanks for any tips,
> Sreenath

Sandwich the film between two sheets of cardboard. Then cut both cardboard
and film simultaneously.

Place a piece of duct tape running parallel to the cutting edge at a
suitable distance from that cutting edge. Butt the side of film/cardboard
sandwich against that tape to help hold everything steady as you cut.

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Richard Knoppow - 19 Jul 2007 13:46 GMT

>> Hi All,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> the side of film/cardboard sandwich against that tape to
> help hold everything steady as you cut.

I suggest gaffer tape rather than duct tape. The two are
often confused. Duct tape is meant for wrapping air
conditioning ducts and has a very persistent adhesive which
tends to migrate from the edge of the tape making a mess.
Gaffer tape has a different kind of adhesive which does not
migrate and is easily removed. I would also suggest taping a
strip of cardboard to use as a guide and using "kraft" paper
rather than cardboard to sandwich the film. It will still
hold the film in place but is easier to cut.
Unless the trimmer blades are very sharp they will
simply mash down some materials. There must also be enough
force between the blades. Most trimmers have an adjustable
coil spring at the blade hinge. If this is too loose the
trimmer will not cut cleanly.

Signature

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com

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Ken Hart - 19 Jul 2007 16:04 GMT

> Hi All,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> normal print paper trimmer. The film is too
> thin and the blade simple moved over the film instead of cutting it.

As you're pushing the blade down, also push it toward the body of the paper
cutter.

> One more problem was holding the film still. It tends to curl and wrap
> around severely. The film itself is sold rolled
> in a 2" dia plastic tube. Would it be possible to make a fixture for
> this purpose?

Reverse roll it for a day or two and put it back in the tube?

> I regularly use get normal 120 film, so this is just for fun. This
> film has no grain whatsoever.

Have you tried contact printing your regular negatives on the lith film?

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sreenath - 20 Jul 2007 12:59 GMT

Thanks for the tips. I will try these. The blade is not all that
sharp, and even for cutting paper, sometimes I have to press the blade
towards the cutting frame.

Regarding contact printing regular negatives on lith film, I have done
this, and I should say that I got pretty good slides.
I developed under red safe light by inspection using very dilute
developer with bisulfite added. That gave normal contrast in the
slides.

Sreenath

> > I would like some tips about cutting sheet lith films so that I can
> > roll it into 120 roll film, or load into pinhole/box
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Have you tried contact printing your regular negatives on the lith film?

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