Mr. Hardy had a comment about always checking a film before projecting ... I wonder, do all of you do this? I tend to fix the faults as they appear (if the picture starts jumping, I replace the splice)

I know I am a bit lazy at this, but to now, I luckily haven't experienced anything that damaged my projector or film. I have had bad splices with sticky tape, with some paperlike tape and even some clay looking stuff. All replaced of course. I've heard about staples in 35mm prints, that's a reason to check through it before projecting, I agree. Scares me a little, but not having proper equipment (a poor manual rewinder which takes an hour to spool through ... exaggerating a bit, but you get the drift)

Looking forward to hear if you are lazy (and dares say so) or careful :-) I know David's answer ;-)

I'm one of the lazy ones Vidar. But then again, I don't buy library copies or films without the original box. I always blow the photo of the box up to see what shape it truly is in. If the box looks nice, then most likely the film has been stored properly and cared for. My biggest concern when making a film purchase has been whether it will be complete. I bought a 50' reel of "War of the Colossal Beast" back in July. There is several feet (probably a third of the reel) of film missing from the beginning, so I haven't even bothered watching it. It was cheap, so I didn't send it back. That was one time that a nice box fooled me. With a 400' reel, I usually hold it up to the light to illuminate any unusual dark spots, indicating a hidden repair. Additionally for me, if the original (lab) leader is there and in nice shape, it has been an indication to me that the print should be in good shape, as well as it has not been run very much if at all.

My manual rewinders only hold about 800ft, so I can check a short film. I used to use the rewind facility on the projector to clean/lubricate the print, and I could feel any splice as the film ran through the cloth. I could always stop the projector and check. I buy mine mostly from two respected dealers, so I don't examine the whole film.

This is a great question Vidar!

I tend to run mine on a less used machine to check for faults and for cleaning.I don't run the film through the gate,just from spindle to spindle.I plan on getting some rewinds in the near future.

I only give them. A check. And a clean. Before. There first. Viewing. Once. Done as long as your using. A good projector there shouldn't really be any need to check them every time your. Going to view them
Sorry about the full stops

If you don't want to check the print before each projection well that's fine. Its just that a perforation may have been nicked or torn during
projection. Or that cement splice may be drying out or that tape splice may be stretching a bit leaving a slight gap between the frames which will in time become "bendy" and cause problems.
Also you should never ever project a print you have bought secondhand without first giving it an inspection before projection.
Some of you guys are throwing caution to the wind I feel and have a great deal of faith as to its overall condition.
However go ahead do it your way its your money and equipment and films after all and has nothing to do with me. hahahahaha !
YES I have seen "staples" in 8mm / 16mm prints and joins made with gooey sticky electrical insulating tape. Lucky these never made contact with any of my projectors due to my removal via inspection before the first run. Have FUN !

We always thouroughly check any second hand films we buy before its first viewing here. I would never just run one through.
I think after that first check we know our equipment well enough to know we are safe, as yet,(there is always a first), i haven't had any of my own splices come apart.
It is funny how we are all very different, i have known people who actually clean there films each time they are going to show them. I guess that's the ultimate in keeping them clean.

Filmguard though excellent in many many ways, does loosen tape splices.

After a few screenings , it may prove necessary to redo one or two splices I've found.
This is using it very sparingly.

Yeah i am learning quite quickly how little you do need of this stuff. I do like it, it is a very good cleaner but the over use i did was starting to show. Now when i apply it i do go backward on the rewind arms and with very very gently pressure, remove the excess. You'd be amazed at what comes off on the reverse, and i mean dirt not just the excess cleaner

It's a very good cleaner Tom, even better lubricant!

The best I've ever used for covering base scratches.

Yes use that Filmguard very very sparingly. We used it at a cinema where I worked but not very often.
I have avoided using it on my magnetic striped stock as there was some uncertainty as to how it would
react with the stripe in the long term.