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Hello
Looking at one of these for a friend. It basically works okay, but the image viewed is restricted by the seen reel!
The photos should help illustrate the problem.
I don't want to make it worse, but looking at the shoe? The screw behind would advance or retard. Is that the adjustment that needs to be made?
Regards Bob

This is what mine looks like. You look to have a modern reproduction reel with straight cards. The original reels had curved cards. There is an article somewhere (maybe on this site* explaining all this). You may have to search on google.

*Re: Reproduction Mutoscope reels

Good observation on your part. Yes, it is a reproduction reel!
So that potentially explains the viewing problem, just need to work out a way to overcome that?
Many thanks for your reply
Bob

pinballtoys wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:59 am just need to work out a way to overcome that?

Good luck, you'll be the first person to ever figure that out! The repro reels being sold like yours are faulty goods and I can't see how that guy has stayed in business selling the damned things? I guess his customers just don't know what a proper reel should be like?? The original reels are printed from negatives on to film stock and after mounting to a reel are steamed to create the curvature, partly to help give snap to the the flipping action. I once went to great trouble to restore a Felix reel in otherwise great cond but had lost nearly all the curve. Thankfully I was given inside info about the process but even still I won't be doing it again and finally threw away my custom made equipment after storing for 20 years.

It sounds like the best option may be to track down another reel, or purchase a new one from Tom Reverand, although your friend may not be pleased to hear this.