This is topic Screwed By A Super-Simplex in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Colin Wiseley (Member # 247) on 05-29-2000, 07:30 PM:
I'm in the process of rebuilding a Super Simplex and managed to break the screw that holds on the lower sprocket. (see pics below). Any ideas on how to get this thing off? The gear on the other end of the shaft doesn't want to move either. Am I SOL? 
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Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA www.thelyric.com
Posted by Erich Loepke (Member # 166) on 05-29-2000, 07:45 PM:
Here's something you might want to try if you have space in the mechanism to do it: Use a small pin punch and hammer and tap on the edge of the broken screw head and see if it will loosen up enough to remove it with pliers or a pair of tweezers. Give the screw a good shot of penetrating oil (I use LPS 2).Failing that, the only other thing I can think of is to drill out the screw and run a tap through the threads in the sprocket shaft to clean them out.
I'm cleaning up my Motiograph AAA (no broken screws yet, fingers crossed). I'm running into my fair share of disassembly problems, though, like stuck gears and taper pins that just won't come out. Anyone know how to get the intermittent sprocket off this beast? The AA manual shows a slightly different construction than what I have.
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 05-29-2000, 08:09 PM:
You can buy small left-hand drills. Use an automatic center punch and punch a dimple as close to the center as you can. If the broken surface is uneven, you might be able to put a dimple in the center by holding the punch on an angle.Get a small left-hand drill and drill carefully into the screw at the dimple. If it's not actually jammed in there, it might come out just while drilling. Otherwise, anfter you've drilled a small hole, try a larger one until the hole is large enough to use an easy-out.
Posted by Luther M. Spencer (Member # 442) on 05-29-2000, 08:13 PM:
I had this happen before..On a different kind of machine,,,.What I did (Of course it might ruin the sprocket)..But if your careful it shouldn't.....Was to use a dremel with a thin cutting wheel and cut a new slot deeper..In the screw....Then use a good screwdriver to take it out..Hope this helps.....I just Rebuilt a Early Model Ballantyne ( Made like a Super Simplex,,,Uses the same Intermittant and gears) Runs like a charm!!!...Mike
Posted by Pete Lawrence (Member # 130) on 05-29-2000, 08:14 PM:
Colin,
There is a tool called an "easy-out" available from machine tool suppliers and better auto parts stores. They come in various sizes. The way it works is you drill a hole in the screw slightly smaller than the threads. Then screw the "easy-out" into the hole counter-clockwise. In theory, the tool will grab the inside of the screw and un-thread it. I've had mixed results with these, but if you stay away from the cheap copies they work pretty well. By the way, that's a great restoration at the Lyric Theatre. You all are to be congratulated.Pete
Posted by Colin Wiseley (Member # 247) on 05-30-2000, 06:30 AM:
Thanks for all of the tips guys. I can grip it pretty well with a pair of pliers so I'll buy some penetrating oil today and let it sit overnight and then hopefully I'll be able to get it out. If not, I guess I'll have to drill it out. 
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Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-30-2000, 07:18 AM:
Hey, I'll give you a heck of a deal on a new X-L Head. That Super saw its useful life end at least several decades ago.
Mark
Posted by Colin Wiseley (Member # 247) on 05-30-2000, 07:33 AM:
Thanks, but we plan on using the Super as a working display unit in the lobby, unless you'd like to donate the XL...------------------
Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com
Posted by Luther M. Spencer (Member # 442) on 05-30-2000, 01:03 PM:
MARK...What is a heck of a deal...on the XL?..........MIKE
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-30-2000, 02:07 PM:
Use a dremel tool and a small cutting bit to cut a new slot in the head
Posted by Jeff Stricker (Member # 224) on 05-30-2000, 03:58 PM:
If there is enough protruding, don't grab it with ordinary pliers. Use a small vise-grip to grab it tightly and back it out.
Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 05-30-2000, 09:15 PM:
Mark,What do you mean that super saw the end of it's usefull life 20 years ago? Supers are great machines, if you enjoy mopping up all the oil that runs right through them as water 
In fact, theres a multiplex in Bemiji MN that still runs one
Josh
Posted by Colin Wiseley (Member # 247) on 05-31-2000, 06:23 AM:
The penetrating oil did the trick. I applied a couple of drops last night, and this morning the screw turned easily with just a pair of needle-nose pliers and then the sprocket popped off. That was the last part I needed to take off. I hope I can remember how to put this thing back together after I get all of the parts cleaned up 
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Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 05-31-2000, 07:54 AM:
Manuals are available to download to help you if you forgot how it went together.
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-31-2000, 10:16 AM:
Hi Josh,
I was actually just kidding. Actually Supers can put out decent images if finely tuned. Many, many are still running around the world. BTW: I heard that they are still using limelight up there in Bemiji. Is that true?
Mark
Posted by Colin Wiseley (Member # 247) on 05-31-2000, 10:26 AM:
Thanks Ken, I already downloaded them. Thank god for film-tech. My only beef with the manual is that it shows the parts for each sub-assembly, but doesn't show how the sub-assembly mounts to the chassis, which would have helped in some cases when I was taking it apart.------------------
Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com
Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 05-31-2000, 11:42 AM:
Limelite? in Bemiji?
Who told you that? the only running theatre in town is the Amigo 8, right next door to a closed Drive-in called the "Cisco".
The multiplex is running all xenon and platters W/ 3 digital houses(2 SRD, 1 DTS)
There was an old theatre in the downtown area, but is is now a stage house for community plays and stuff. The Amigo got all the chiefs equipment. BTW, is it normal for a super's intermittant to tick?Josh
Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 06-01-2000, 02:09 PM:
I just bought a Simplex XL from an old drive-in and it "ticks" as well... and loud too. Is this normal?I've got four Brenkert BX-60's that need rebuilding. Wish me luck....
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-01-2000, 02:51 PM:
It shouldn't be a loud tick
or for that matter a tock either
Posted by Colin Wiseley (Member # 247) on 06-01-2000, 05:46 PM:
Our XL was rebuilt by Cardnial Sound about a year and a half ago and doesn't tick at all.------------------
Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com
Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-01-2000, 06:02 PM:
I've heard the new digital projectors don't 'tick' either.sorry...
Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-01-2000, 08:22 PM:
No, but they can "tick" you off when they don 't work!Steve
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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"