Film Winders

Film winders come in two broad dispositions.

In one, the circular disc against which the film is wound is horizontal like a gramophone turntable. In the other it is vertical like a vehicle wheel. These two arrangements each have advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of horizontal winder :

1. Some films are received loosely wound and some films, if damaged, can only be wound loosely. In this case, gravity pulls the whole reel down onto the turntable and it is not liable to try to spill.
2. All the film is near the surface of the winding bench and may be found
   easier to manoeuvre.
3. Most horizontal winders have a low gear ratio between the winding
   handle and the turntable (commonly 2:1). This gives better control over the wind. Vertical winders are usually geared higher (commonly 3:1 or 4:1).

Advantages of vertical winder:

1. Some operators find it easier to look down through the film with the plane of the strand of film horizontal.
2. If it is necessary to wind more than one film - as in synchronising - the vertical arrangement lends itself to
   use of a long spindle on which two or more spools can be mounted.

For most archival work a horizontal winder is preferred.

An horizontal winder