Get your own 35mm film spool

I came across this old camera that uses 35mm film but lacks an important piece on which the film is attached when loading it into the camera. I needed a 35mm spool and I was having trouble finding one or any in the local camera shops. So I decided to get my own spool by sacrificing a roll of film I bought not long ago to solve this problem. Here is what I did...

Step 1 Gather the following tools and items...

You will need:

>1 roll of 35mm film (in a metal container)
>Scissors, pen, knife or a hard and flat metallic item
>Strong hands
>(optional) coffee

I only had to use scissors, but it took a while to do the job.

Comments

[bde weerd]

you could also just have waited till you processed the film and then use the leftover container right?

[darkroommike]

The disposable cameras are useful for a number of things, there are guys out there that modify the flash built into some disposables to use as fill flashes for other cameras. Some are reloadable (but you need the original spool--future instructable perhaps?). Also a source of cheap AA batteries. One word of caution..the flash disposable cameras also have a flash capacitor...the cameras can BITE (actually zap you if you put your fingers in the wrong place when taking the camera apart).

[Newoz]

Ok, thanks guys for telling me what a waste of an instructable this is.
Why didn't I think of going to those developing stores?? This deserves a very huge facepalm

Anyway, I had fun making this instructable, it was cool to break apart something.

[Soupraok]

Hey man it wasnt a waste you learned how to do something, and that my friend you cant put a price on.

[iectyx3c]

Hey it is not a useless i'ble.

You got the conversation going.

These inner spools are great for all kinds of stuff.

Also some metal film canisters like ILFORD are reusable. You sort of squeeze the metal sides, and gently pop off the metal ring.

[Ben The Builder]

 The easier way would be to get a disposable camera, these spools are left in the camera, and at a typical CVS it's free 

[Soupraok]

not to be a jerk... but you could save the film, by going to walmart and asking for empty ones they will give you bags full for free.

[iectyx3c]

These spools are very handy for all sorts of projects and uses.

For instance, storing wire, string, or adhesive tape.

Usually easiest to use a bottle opener to pop off the black metal ring as if you were removing a bottle cap.

Like HarveyH44 I get them free at photo developing labs.

[HarveyH44]

Could have just ask at film developing stores, they just throw them away.  I got a bunch of disposable flash cameras once, and still haven't used half, all free for the asking.

Haven't used a film camera in years, not even sure if I remember how (fully manual Nikon).  Truly spoiled on digital, I like printing my own at home.  Most of the pictures I took with the Nikon were getting scanned into the computer anyway.  Best part, you can see on the LCD if you got a good shot, before the photo opportunity has past.