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Author Topic: What is the value of a Simplex Standard? Paul Trimboli Master Film Handler Posts: 274 From: Perth Western Australia Registered: Dec 2002 posted 07-01-2004 07:47 AM                     I can't understand why everyone says they leak so much? The base plate of a standard anyway is designed in such a way any oil in the operator sides drains into 2 side gutters and into the back of the machine. There are 2 holes, one at the front of the machine and one at the back so depending if you have the machine point at an angle up or down you can remove the screw from the hold and drain the oil. All 3 ones I have don't have a screw in place so I am guessing most don't and that is why they leak so much. Steve has a very good point, a machine that everyone says is scrap can put on a very good quality show and yet is from the 1930s or earlier! Again if anyone has any or parts for these machines please let me know!  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 07-02-2004 02:02 AM                     It is like the days of old. The old shipboard steam engines had open crankcases. The person called the oiler was spraying oil on the moving parts while the engines were running. The old projectors were the same way. They throw oil all over the place. The more you use, the more you are going to have on the floor. And, I agree...an old good running Simplex Regular, Super, or E-7 will beat the pants off just about any machine out there as far as picture steadiness is concerned. And, they can take one helluva amount of abuse before they finally crap out on you.  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 07-02-2004 08:10 AM                       quote: Will Kutler One possible solution that is one of my many "get-around-to-it" projects is to over-bore the mainframe casting and press-in oil-lite bushings. Most, if not all, of the Simplexes I've ever seen had oil-lite bearings installed in the 40s. Never seen one without them. quote: Lindsay Morris I put a few feelers out to try and flush out some people who could handle a two machine setup and got quite a few who fronted up announcing that they were projectionists... HA! They took one look and wanted to know "where was the platter" Lindsay, wish I lived there. I would've been your man!  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 07-02-2004 03:05 PM                     In this day and age, the term "projectionists" DOES imply a single projector and a platter. I can't believe you changeover guys constantly get the attitude that a projectionist who is competent in platters is so inferior to someone who is competent in reel to reel. No offense intended, and I am in no way discounting a changeover operation, but you boys really need to get over yourselves. Times have changed. Platters are now the standard mode of film transport. Sure each method has it's positives and negatives, but in no way is a changeover operator a better projectionist than a platter operator. It's just two different ways to run the film.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 07-02-2004 03:14 PM                        A "projectionist" should be capable of running both reel-to-reel and platter systems. Quickly learning to work with different equipment should come naturally to any skilled projectionist. "Film Done Right" and "Showmanship" depend more on the person than the equipment.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 07-02-2004 03:52 PM                     quote: John Pytlak A "projectionist" should be capable of running both reel-to-reel and platter systems. Sorry John, but I find that statement to be ridiculous. Why on earth would the typical projectionist need to be trained in running changeovers when there is a 99% or better chance he/she will never run reel to reel? That's stupid. With your implied logic, if someone doesn't know how to thread every kind of projector out there, they cannot call themself a projectionist.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 07-02-2004 04:51 PM                        I said: quote: John Pytlak Quickly learning to work with different equipment should come naturally to any skilled projectionist If presented with an opportunity to work at a theatre that uses changeovers, a good projectionist will have the skills to quickly learn how to put on a good show. An unskilled "threader" or "button pusher" will not adapt easily, if at all.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 07-02-2004 04:55 PM                     I agree with your second comment wholeheartedly. I'll cough up the apology on this one as I read your post above as two different points and as such misconstrued your meaning.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 07-02-2004 07:59 PM                     I fully agree with John's comment. Generally, (but not always) a typical professional projectionist who came up through the ranks of carbon arc and reel-to-reel systems are more "in tune" with the machinery, and knows how to maintain and run them. They know what to do to get back on the screen without calling a tech in event of an equipment failure. Many of the professional reel-to-reel carbon arc projectionists were required to change an intermittant and time the shutter between reels. Today's projectionists (by a large number) don't even know which end of the "camera" the light comes out of. I have seen this so many times that it is disgusting. "You know that axle that sticks out of the back of the camera that has a fan blade on it? Well, it does not turn." This was a quote made to me by a platter operator projectionist when a shutter gear was stripped. This operator has had at least 5 years experience in the booth. But he did not come up through the professional ranks. He was a button-puncher threader, nothing more, nothing less. When I was on the road servicing, rarely did I ever have an emergency call from a union house with union operators or a non-union house equipped with a professional projectionist that experienced a sound system, electronic, electrical or mechanical breakdown of their equipment. They instinctively knew how to handle it. I have to also add this: When I point out to a projectionist that the porthole is in very dire need of cleaning to the point where the picture on the screen looks like it was projected through a milkshake glass, I question their professionalism when they tell me that "It is not within my job description." You would be surprised how much I heard an excuse like that. Professionalism????? HAH! Those who use a lame excuse like that would not even make a healthy pimple on a professional projectionist's butt!  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 07-02-2004 08:24 PM                     Welcome to modern times, Paul. The job no longer pays for people who can service their own equipment. So long as the employers pay a rate for monkey threaders, that is exactly what they get. You're barking up the wrong tree. Go yell at the people responsible for using floor staff and paying minimum wage. In this day and age, the real professionals are the ones who put forth the extra effort and put on a top notch show, even though they aren't getting paid to put on a professional show. I visited Chris Hipp's 30 plex about a week ago and you know what, the presentation there was pretty damned good and almost certainly better than what was possible with good operators and the equipment available 30 years ago. And that's 30 screens frequently being run by one person at or near minimum wage!!! Don't even try to tell me that isn't impressive. Geez, just because the year is 2004 doesn't automatically mean that everything sucks, and not every "kid" is a shitty projectionist either. I would put some of the 18 year olds that I have trained up against you or just about anyone else. It DOES happen. Sure it's not commonplace, but there IS professionalism out there. Ease up there a bit, big fella.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 07-02-2004 09:18 PM                     You're on, Brad. Just let me become familiar with the booth, and I'll take on anybody. I'll make you a deal. You pick up all expenses, and if I don't beat whoever I am up against in the booth, I'll re-imburse you every penny! But let me say again...give me a few days to become familiar with the booth. It would also give us an excellent opportunity for us to discuss a few items..... Let me do it my way, and he/she can do it his/her way.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 07-02-2004 09:22 PM                     How much time do you need to get acquainted with the booth? Do you need training, or am I to presume by your post that you can figure everything out on your own? How many passes of the print shall we do before print inspection at the end of the test? Yes, there will be interlocking.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 07-02-2004 09:25 PM                     Like I say, I would like to have the opportunity to at least observe the equipment, what its limitations are, and how hard I can work it. I like to push the envelope. Depends on the booth, too. remember, I have not done interlocking in over 15 years. And then, I didn't have sync motors, either. Probably two days of observing, one day of practice to get fine tuned, and we can do battle.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 07-02-2004 09:28 PM                     No, no, no, no, no. Don't spout off about how in the old days there were professionals running the booth and then try to weasel your way out of not doing the full job of today. According to you, it shouldn't matter what kind of equipment is installed, or what the layout is, or what it takes to run it. Either you are a professional and you can quickly adapt to anything, or you are not. Your words!  |  IP: Logged Phil Hill I love my cootie bug Posts: 7595 From: Hollywood, CA USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 07-02-2004 09:28 PM                  Ok...I'll take part of that action! I agree 100% with Brad. Who do yous have in mind for the competition? Chris? Josh? Thomas? Tony? Tim? My $ are on those guys! >>> Phil  |  IP: Logged

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