filmhandler for security film?

Is there a filmhandler can be used to slit security film? thick mils such as 8, 12, 14 mil?
where could i get one? how much might i be looking at?
Ideally something I can mount on a ladder and slit in 1 or 2 places at once (per linear pull).
Thanks for any suggestions.

I have run up to 12 mil thru mine w/o problems. 8 mil is a breeze. Just get one from Bekaert. If you plan to do 12 and 14 mil, get the 6" hubs, and be sure to get a set of 3" and 6" shims. All told you're looking at around a G if you get everything new. Used handlers are pretty scarce. It's DEFINATELY worth the investment, especially if you do alot of S&S.



Welcome to the board!! Please put your location in your profile. (TD, is location not required when registering? For some reason, I thought it was. )

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I've been doing S&S for years & never used a FH. Know some installers that don't use them either. I have heard they do a good job, would like to use one on a job sometime to see how it goes. Like to know what you think compared to the way your doing your jobs now.

We have done numerous s&s jobs in the last 27 years and also trained installers for national projects and you ALWAYS use a film handler. Safety film is to difficult to work with otherwise and you can cut perfect edges on all four sides. Check out madcows site.

You do have more years experience then I do. But perfect edges, all four sides.
When installation is not square, you have to custom trim it out anyway, right?

i've always had a filmhandler to use on S & S. and have to agree with SCSS. it's tough to get all sides perfectly precut. sometimes you get lucky but for the most part you can't count on that happening.

I was thinking that. I myself have never used one. I sell S&S mostly in my area. I don't do much installing anymore. But when I did, I made a cutting board, & used that. I made custom squaring equipment that attached to the board to square edges. Usually trimming the rest on the glass for a custom tight fit.

Not discounting a FH by any means. Some of my installers use them, some don't. They both turn out great work!

How do you cut 15mil film?

I don't do 15 mil.

That explains all

I have done both, cutting out of the box and with a filmhandler. I definately prefer the film handler, especially on commercial frames with pop-out gaskets!!!!











So true. Once again, there is nothing perfect. for resi, 2 good sides is plenty. I'll leave an inch on the side and bottom and make 2 cuts. Commercial, cut it a half inch bigger all the way around, snatch out the gaskets, and slap it on.









I don't!!! I aint masochistic.

Don't get any call for it here, but maybe in VZ residential folks need to feel 15mil secure.



KW- I sell a good bit of commecial work & some do it with the FH and some don't. Both jobs look great. I can see the FH making a job go faster that has a lot of cutting on site.
A tool for the trade surely.

The initial question included 12 and 14mil film, how anybody can then respond that they don't use a FH, that's just not correct....

It also said 8 mil, you left that out!

Used to cut 14 on a table with no FH, & it can be done! I sell mostly now & I am still busy & do mostly 8mil, not much call for 14. Are you folks selling a lot of 14 or 15?

I use about 10 different install contractors during peak season. Some use the FH, some don't. I myself see no better a job, with or without. But see how it can make things easier. But some seasoned guys like their ways and stick to it. I can't compain about either.

I worked safety film (4 and 8 ml) outta the box for yrs. Bought a film handler and it's more than payed for itself. It reduces waste and you can actually cut 3 sides exact. I won't go back to the box. For anything above 14ml I've used a table.

The initial question included 12 and 14mil film, how anybody can then respond that they don't use a FH, that's just not correct....

It also said 8 mil, you left that out!





SSCS is right! It's done all the time. I know guys who bring a cutting surface (a long hallway runner type rug) to the job, and use framing squares and straightedges to cut. They don't like the film handler. They do great work, just a tad slow.

Me, I prefer using a handler. Whatever floats yer boat. Like Boo said, I did without one for years. I used to bring a glass top table, use squares and straightedges and clamps to get the job done. But once I used one on a job, I never went back to the box.

Note to distributors/Film Reps: When trying to sell the filmhandler, let your prospect use one for a month. Since the shims are a MUST have, make a package deal. Show them how to use it properly (If you know how to use one). Chances are you wont be picking it back up!!!!

good info

+1 I would love to give it a try, but no one around here that I know of has one, and I can't justify the $$ just to try it out. I know if I didn't like it I could try and sell it, but I don't have the time to do that.....



-R

Trust me, you won't dislike it.

First large flat job I had I ordered one without having ever seen one or used one. You can have it when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

Roach, I laughed at the idiots who wasted thier money on a filmhandler for YEARS. Then I had an opportunity to use one. Needless to say, I ain't laughing, but cursing the years I spent doing it the hard way. Get one. I swear if you don't like it, I can always use another. It works great for regular solar film as well. DD is right on this..................you WILL NOT dislike it.

I think I'll put it on my list.... if this year goes well maybe I'll get one. I don't do much S&S, but it is an area I want to try and break into.

I remember when Dan posted quetions on the film handler. As I said then , I will say it again.....Won't live without one. I have cut up to 14 mil without a problem.Stays in place on a ladder, no box to have to hold while trying to cut. Get one, you'll love it

FWIW i have 3 slit heads on my 72' handler, one is designated security film. i have it tighter than the regular ones and have smoothed all the edges where the film can contact it. used a file and emery paper for the exposed surfaces and emery paper in the slots ,never snags and does'nt scratch the film.
makes it easy to load too.

I am just finishing up a 14 story building installing 8 mil and I dont use a film handler, and really never have. While it is difficult to cut down out of the box it can be done and with just as straight cuts as a film handler. Also have installed 15mil and while I wouldnt say its easy to cut it isnt impossible. I usually precut the film on the glass and then install. when cutting out of the box I use an aluminum channel and put on the edge of the box and use the 4 inch power scraper blades to splice out of the box. They dont woble like olfa blades do cause they are thicker.

Hey VO good to see you again.

hey climber how ya doin man, good to see u again too.

Here is an 8 mil job I did awhile back. I always use a FH it's soo much easier.
You can see the FH in the right side. Very little trimming on these windows.

im sure I would love it i have used them before but it just seems to be more hasle then I want to deal with and it would be hard to fit it in my truck all the time cause I carry so much sh|t.

Hey Machine take care on that "ladder"!!!!
Short version of my experience on that one ....
One Tuesday last year a site contact told me that if I were to set foot on mine I would get kicked off his jobsite because that ladder is not of the correct rating. He then pointed out the duty rating sticker on his which was a grade 1. He ranted a bit about the fines (5k to 25k!!!) that all involved would receive if I were to use an "improper" ladder on a site and be injured.
I used his ladder for the 3 windows I was there to do and all was good with him.

The very next job that day I needed to be taller to reach the top of a s' lite as it was higher that spec'd by sales and nothing on site would get me there but the little 2 step that I had. My ladder was less than a week old ......what could possibly go wrong?....You can guess because I'm taking the time to post this that the bottom most step of that ladder FAILED and down I went and the precut graphic I only had one of now was trashed.

So If i sound like an I told you so ......well I did

USE THE PROPERLY RATED LADDER FOR YOUR WORK!!!!

A googling of ANSI ladder found this bit:

A portable ladder certified or rated as meeting the requirements of the CSA or ANSI standards is classified into one of the following categories:

Intended Use Load Rating Ladder Grade/Type Agency Construction, utilities, and industrial Heavy duty1 CSAI or IA ANSILight maintenance, office, and farm Medium duty 2 CSAII ANSIHousehold only Light duty 3 CSA IIIANSI Only CSA Grade 1 or ANSI Ladder Type IA or Type I ladders should be used to support ladder jacks and scaffold planks.




I relayed my experience to the management at my shop (including the part about the fines ) and they have supplied all of our installers with grade I platform 2 steps and "JAWS" ladders for each van and have recycled all of the household ladders that we had.

As much as we are told " Just get it done " by whoever is pressuring to get job done or think "what could possibly go wrong I've done this thousands of times..." You only get one life make the most of it and see you tomorrow .........

Sorry that Googled part looks a mess and is hard to read.It was in a table format on the site I found it on and then turned into a sentence when I posted it. The info was here:

http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OH...elinePart13.asp

FILMHANDLER

I mostly hang film by myself and bring in a friend (who's been filming a long time) when needed. Being the solo tinter the film handler is a must, not on all jobs but on the difficult ones others turn away. I use the film handler more often then I need because it cuts down on the material needed.

example- cutting out of the box you have to give yourself almost an extra on the 3 sides (i don't need to tell you which do I) , if the windows are 24 inches on the dot you cannot cut from a 48" roll. then lets say you are cutting 30 pieces out of the box ( thats about 40" per pull + 2 inches waste per piece) you will now be short 5 feet having now go out and buy another roll, unless your using global with the extra ten feet! The scrap cut offs maintain a straight edge great for those small pains hence paying for itself in less then 1 year of good use!

I ran 21 mil film through my film handler today and it worked fine. in my opinion a film handler is faster but it does not make me or any of our other installers do a better job.

Anyone know about the filmstar?

Yep,

Been working with it for 5 years

Is only usefull for film up to 4 mil

I forgot we were talkin SS films. I hear its the whoop dig for flat glass