How to Load 16mm Film in a Projector

The 16 mm film projector has been around since the 1920s. 16mm film projectors are still in use by many today, especially for those home movies that have never been transferred to DVD. Knowing how to thread a 16mm film projector will help you run your old movies without damaging the film.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Swing out the folding reel arms. These are located at the top and bottom of the projector, above and below the lens.

2. Fasten the drive belts to the folding reel arms. This allows the reels to turn and move the film through the projector.

3. Place the loaded film reel on the top reel arm. Be sure there is an empty film reel on the bottom reel arm to receive the film as it is going through the machine.

4. Feed the film under the first sprocket, making sure the spring load sprocket shoe fits snuggly over the film. This shoe keeps the film in place as it's passing through the projection system.

5. Form the upper loop and then pass the film through the easy access gate. The film will engage with the claw and pass through a nylon pressure pad that protects it.

6. Close the gate and form the lower loop through the guide and pass it over the sound drum. This is where the pictures and sound come together.

7. Spread the film under the lower sprocket, under the damper roller to prevent breakage and onto the receiving reel. Tuck the end of the film into the slot on the take up reel.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust and lock the focus of the projector after doing a test run to be sure your film is passing through the projector correctly.
• A properly threaded 16mm film projector should run fairly quietly. Make adjustments to the tension to get the clearest picture.