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Topic: 16mm enthusiasts here?

Stephen Furley
Film God

Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002

posted 06-09-2009 08:52 AM

quote: Jarret Chessell
So I got a reply back from KMR Electronics...
He suggests that I shouldn't try replacing the worm gear and bearings without the alignment tools. I was just curious if anyone one had experience with this? (on a B&H 2585)

I've replaced a Bell & Howell worm just once, probably about ten years ago now. It was on a Magnaflex, which is a double band conversion of the TQ1 which somebody, I can't remember who, used to produce. This made it somewhat worse than doing a standard machine, but it took me several days of fiddling about, trying to work out how to dismantle the thing, just about everything seems to have to come out to get the worm out, and then to get everything set up correctly without the alignment tools. I wouldn't really recommend doing it, unless you had no alternative; it was something of a nightmare.

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Damien Taylor
Master Film Handler

Posts: 493
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2007

posted 06-10-2009 02:54 AM

I've got a couple of mid-vintage B&H's one with a cracked, and one with an absent worm. Tried to poke around on the TQ1, it is impossible, like Stephen said, everything has to come out. Decided to just sell or trash the two projectors and keep the Ampro Stylist. The main tradgedy of getting rid of 2 B&H's is that I can no longer make the stupid projector joke to friends. "This is Bell, and this is Howell" Har-dee-har.

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Jarret Chessell
Master Film Handler

Posts: 288
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 06-10-2009 08:28 AM

I'm a little tossed up on what I want to do. I sent another email to KMR asking what they would suggest, and they said either try to find someone around here that can service it, or send the projector to them. I have a feeling shipping it that far and back will easily exceed to value of the projector. It took me a fair bit of time to locate the projector I do have. I guess I'll just keep an eye on kijiji for a while and see if i can get an elmo or maybe a B&H in better shape (then at least I'd have spare parts).

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Damien Taylor
Master Film Handler

Posts: 493
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2007

posted 06-10-2009 10:17 AM

Keep in mind that any original worms still in existance will eventually die, due to the very nature of the plastic used. Its best to get the replacement over and done with on a projector you are happy with now.

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Jarret Chessell
Master Film Handler

Posts: 288
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 06-10-2009 10:34 AM

This might be my luck...

Someone posted an elmo 16-cl on kijiji in a city nearby. $60 bucks. He says it's in good order.... Maybe this would be better for hobby 16?? (I have an ISCO lens in my B&H which uses an adapter, i could likely get an adapter for the elmo?)

I've also read online that some collectors avoid B&H as they make more contact with the film than other portables.

Does anyone have any opinions on this projector? Is it easier to service if i do have problems?

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Stephen Furley
Film God

Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002

posted 06-10-2009 01:09 PM

quote: Damien Taylor
Keep in mind that any original worms still in existance will eventually die, due to the very nature of the plastic used.

The later worms are machined from solid grey plastic, nylon I think, and are quite different to the earlier ones which have a thin white plastic shell over an aluminium core. It is this thin plastic shell which splits, and there shouldn't be a problem with the later ones. Of course, if you find a new old stock worm from somewhere of he old type, or even a secondhand one, then it will probably eventually fail in the same way.

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Brian Guckian
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 594
From: Dublin, Ireland
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-10-2009 03:39 PM

quote: Jarret Chessell
I've also read online that some collectors avoid B&H as they make more contact with the film than other portables.

Does anyone have any opinions on this projector? Is it easier to service if I do have problems?

It's a bit of a muchness in both respects. I did shows with a trusty B+H 2592 for years and never had a problem - ever! In fact I always thought the design of machines like the Bauer P6 was far more liable to induce print scratching etc. than anything made by B+H.

You could purchase the Elmo, but what if it develops a pre-amp problem or something more complex than a simple mechanical problem? You'd be back to square one.

There must be someone in Canada still servicing 16mm machines surely? Could you rail or roadfreight your existing machine to them (cheaper than airfreight)?

What about PM'ing Gordon McLeod who posts here...if he can't help you then no-one can! [Cool]

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Damien Taylor
Master Film Handler

Posts: 493
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2007

posted 06-10-2009 07:03 PM

quote: Stephen Furley
The later worms are machined from solid grey plastic

By any chance do you remember the changeover year or model Stephen?

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Jarret Chessell
Master Film Handler

Posts: 288
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 06-10-2009 10:43 PM

I could ask Gord... He does seem awfully busy these days...

I'm sure someone can fix it in canada, but the trick is figuring out who. Perhaps even someone on here???

In the mean time, I do have a back up solution.

*Sits in the corner playing with his ViewMaster*

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Stephen Furley
Film God

Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002

posted 06-11-2009 02:59 AM

quote: Damien Taylor
By any chance do you remember the changeover year or model Stephen?

No, sorry. I don't know if the solid worms were ever fitted as original equipment, I've only ever seen them fitted as replacements. The problem type were fitted from new in the first generation of 'new' type Bell & Howell machines, i.e. the ones with the large diameter lens mount. I think these were introduced in about 1960 ish. Over here they would be the 642 and similar series, but I think the models, or at least the model numbers, were different over there. These were the ones with 750W or 1000W straight tungsten lamps and valve (vacuum tube) amplifiers. They were also fitted in the similar-looking TQ1 series with halogen lamps and the 666a (I think it was 566 or something similar over there) with GE Marc 300 lamps. I've only ever seen one TQII, and that had an old-style worm. I've never used, or seen the inside of, a TQIII.

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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 06-11-2009 09:22 PM

quote: Stephen Furley
The later worms are machined from solid grey plastic, nylon I think, and are quite different to the earlier ones which have a thin white plastic shell over an aluminium core. It is this thin plastic shell which splits, and there shouldn't be a problem with the later ones.

I wonder how much it would cost to have Lavezzi make a bunch of these?

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-11-2009 09:47 PM

quote: Tim Reed
I wonder how much it would cost to have Lavezzi make a bunch of these?

More than it would be worth! 1-6, 7-12, 12-24... and so on it gets cheaper the more they make for you. However a place like Stock Drive Products also does do custom gear manufacture and they've always been reasonable. It's a part that these days would be moulded around a metal insert hub...

Mark

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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 06-22-2009 09:22 PM

quote: My pal Phil
there is also a shitload of MANY asswipes that slam any user that DARE to post an opposing opinion. [snip] There is soooo much mis-information spread there by the self-appointed "experts"

Ever notice how many collectors, who aren't otherwise associated with the film business, blindly kiss-ass to sellers/dealers? Just because someone happens to own a bunch of prints does not make him an expert.

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Jarret Chessell
Master Film Handler

Posts: 288
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 07-18-2009 09:30 PM

16mm at its finest!

Myself and fellow Film-Tech member Victor Liorentas performed an outdoor presentation last night with our B&H projectors (A 2585 & 2592 with anamorphic attachments). This is a great way to follow up a BBQ and to have a camp fire after (and lots of beer the whole time). The audience was given a great movie experience as well.

I encourage others to plan events like these to raise interest in film and projection.

What a great way to have a Friday night in July!

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Jonathan Althaus
Master Film Handler

Posts: 435
From: Bedford, TX
Registered: Dec 2008

posted 07-18-2009 09:47 PM

Sounds awesome, but i just can't get past the idea of a campfire outside in July here in Texas.

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