Josh
 

I have a contact with a guy that used to work in the Brenkert plant in Detroit back in the 40s and 50s. He should be able to tell you a LOT about your favorite machines Only catch is that he DOES NOT have email (or a computer for that matter), and is only reachable via snail mail. I have the address at the office and can post it here for you and any other Brenkert enthusiasts.

Aaron

 

Try to get your friend to write a short pamphlet style history of Brenkert similar to the Simplex, Century, and Balco histories on the manuals page.

I would like to read a Brenkert history myself. I think it would be very fascinating to read. Does he have any pictures????

 

ROBERT SPRAGUE, A.S.M.P.
MOTION PICTURE HISTORIAN
P.O. Box 948
Petoskey, MI 49770-6948

[letterhead also contains pictures of a BX80 and the Brenkert Shield logo]

7-17-2001

Dear Aaron,

(A friend sent me your address and a Xerox copy of one of your e-mails or internet or "whatever" messages [most likely a post from Film-Tech or 35mmforum -AS] in which you "praised" the Brenkert projectors (for which I Thank You!)) (I'm not electronically connected, as mentally I'm "still in the 1950's")

First a brief introduction:

I am a retired projectionist (39 years experience) and prior to that, in the late 1940's I was briefly employed at the Brenkert Light Projection Company (Or "Brenkert Light" or "BLPC" as we called it) in my hometown of Detroit (275 miles southeast of Petoskey!).

Yes (in my prejudiced opinion) the Brenkerts were possibly the BEST 35mm projector heads ever made in the U.S.A.

I would be happy to hear from you [I would assume any other Brenkert fans as well... -AS] or answer any questions or "curiosities" you might have!

In Brief:

BLPC organized in 1907.

BLPC incorporated in 1941.

BLPC made spot lamps, lantern slide projectors, stereopticons, effects projectors, etc. for live opera, vaudeville, and movie theatres from 1907 to 1939.

First BLPC projector arc lamp for movie use introduced in 1929.

First famous arc lamp (the Enarc) introduced in 1935.

First projector mechanism (the BX-80) introduced in 1939.

Second projector mechanism (the BX-40) introduced in 1940.

Third and Fourth projector mechanisms (the BX-60 and BX-62) introduced in 1948.

Telecine (film chain) mechanism (the BX-90) introduced around 1947.

Last projector mechanism (the BX-100/RCA-100) introduced in 1950.

Largest BLPC arc lamp (Model A-4 Super Intensity: 13.6mm trim, 180 amps) introduced in 1949.

BLPC was purchased by RCA on July 1, 1945, and RCA dissolved the BLPC division around 1954.

After BLPC was out of business, RCA had the following companies "make" "RCA-badged" products as follows:

RCA-200 projector mechanism (c. 1953) made by Century.

RCA projection arc lamps (Brite-Arc, Line-Arc, Hy-Arc, and Dyn-Arc, c.1953-54) made by Ashcraft.

for "Export" sales:

RCA "Standard Line" projector head and sound head (c.1954-55) made by Wenzel.

RCA "ALL-American" combo picture and soundhead (c. 1955-56) made by Settles.

RCA continued making theatre sound heads & sound systems in their Indianapolis plant for several years after Brenkert closed. For example, a typical circa 1953-54 "RCA" installation would include an RCA-200 projector head (made by Century), an RCA arc lamp (made by Ashcraft), and an RCA soundhead (This was still made by RCA!).

Brenkert "thought about" but never made their own soundheads, and after 1938, Brenkert equipment was sold ONLY thru RCA Theatre Supply dealers.

Brenkert heads cost more than others, but many leading theatres, (ESPECIALLY in Detroit and Chicago) had them: The two largest theatres in Chicago had Brenkerts: the Chicago (4100 seats), and the Uptown (4500 seats). The big Detroit theatres that had Brenkert equipment included the Michigan (4200 seats), the Broadway-Capitol (3000+ seats), The Fisher (2800 seats) the Madison, etc.

Odd Brenkert related information:

Some Century-built model VV horizontal VistaVision projectors (8-perf frame pull-across) were retrofitted to use Brenkert intermittents in place of the official Century intermittents.

In the mid-1930's, Motiograph of Chicago was in a "deal" to manufacture projector mechanisms for distribution or sale by Brenkert & RCA dealers, but the deal "fell apart" around 1936/37, so Brenkert "rush-designed" their own design, and thus was born the BX-80, introduced in May of 1939.

The very successful "oil-spray" lubrication system of the Simplex XL was basically a copy of the Brenkert system of 1939 (The XL was introduced in 1949/50).

The very successful "double rear counter-rotating" shutters of many Century models (CC, HH, DA, etc.) was basically an idea "borrowed" from Brenkert.

I have been very "lucky" to have been involved with Brenkert, and I am still in contact regularly with several Brenkert family members.

Just in case you're "curious", most of my booth experience has been with Simplex and Century projectors, and Strong, Ashcraft, and Peerless arc lamps. My last full-time booth job was in 1989 at an AMC 14-screen multiplex with "God-awful" JUNK "Christie" projectors- What JUNK!!! I said "to hell with it" and got out! My last booth job with manual operation, arc lamps, and 20-minute reels was in 1981-82.

I would enjoy hearing from ANYONE who likes Brenkerts! (but you will have to use "snail mail")

Regards,
Robert Sprague

[at the bottom of the letterhead was the following:]

Lifetime Charter Member #199
American Society of Master Projectionists
(founded by Karl Brenkert and Ernie Forbes in Detroit 1949)

"never before have words poured from my penny pencil with such feverish fluidity"
- A Christmas Story

Josh
 

Brenkerts are still the best to me, too.

 

It may be best for you who has writen the gentleman from Brenkert to post your answers. I don`t think that the "gentleman from Brenkert" would like writing everyone individually when the pertinent information could be posted here for all to read.-------Thanks---------Joe Ritter--------
 

Josh and I were changing the shutter compensator in his BX-80 Monday, and there was a slight difference between his and what I have seen in other BX-80's of the past. The compensators interchanged, but there are a few other parts (casting parts, primarly) that won't even come close to bolting up to the machine.

Josh easily saw the difference and called my attention to them.

Even the shutter shaft pinion gears were of a slightly different design. They looked more rugged than what I have seen in the BX-80's and BX-100's.

At first, I thought Josh had a BX-80 loaded to the gills with BX-40 parts. Another thought was a BX-40 with a factory BX-80 tag. The Brenkert Emblem on the door had a darker color, too. It looked like a BX-40 emblem.

Aaron, that letter you posted - WOW! Josh made me aware of it over the phone while I did not have access to a computer. I was surprised by the history cited in that letter.

I did not have the slightest idea how far the BX-80 went back in time. And, I thought the BX-40 was the first.

Josh, I did see one RCA-200 somewhere in Wisconsin - but I cannot recall where it was.

I wonder where we could dig up a BX-90? Hmmmm.

Paul

you spoke about someone interviewing this gentleman. What about that chap who has been posting lately who is making a documentary about projectionists? Need to find his posts and contact him!
 

Quite frankly, I never knew a cast iron BX-80 existed. Just talked to Aaron, too. He never heard of one, either.

Aaron thinks that the cast aluminum one is pre-WWII(1941), as the war effort would have made aluminum valuable for the war, thus a cast-iron frame would have to be the compromise on that machine. The aluminum one would be 1940 model.

I like the looks of the Brenkerts, but the power consumption was one of my main concerns. I have RCA PS-24 soundheads from 1933. Although they work perfectly I don`t know how much wear is on the gears or how much power they have and would not like to loose my soundheads just because the Brenkerts were too heavy for them. I now run Simplexs, one Super and one E-7. They do fine but I am interested in the Brenkerts. My partner in the projection is ex Navy and is always braging about the Brenkerts.-------Thanks------Joe Ritter------
 

Excellent history of the Brenkerts. Robert Sprague definitely does sound like an interesting character (thanks for the email Bob!). I will add Robert to the list of the projectionists to be contacted (it's growing every day).

Just a quick progress report: I am working on writing grants and editing a 5 minute sample clip of two projectionists who have been interviewed for the project. As soon as I can raise the funds to begin full-time production, I will be contacting many projectionists. In the meantime, please contact me if you have anyone that you think would make an interesting profile/character.

Cheers,
Gabriel Rhodes

p.s. I will notify the forum about the sample clip's completion and I will include a link for you all to take a look at it.

I am not familiar with the PS-24 sound heads, but I have seen a wimpy Century chain-driven R-(whateverthehellitwas) with a 1/6 HP motor handle a BX-40. It had to work its butt off to get that thing going, but once it did, it had no problem keeping it going without overheating. It was in a Marcus Outdoor Theater in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin in 1980.

Anyway, I forgot to mention that on Sunday, 2 September 2001, I ran my first carbon arc booth since the late 1980's. It was equipped with Brenkerts, Peerless Magnarcs, and RCA 9050 sound heads. It had an Eprad Starbelch processor (sounded good, too). I had a nice audience watching the 9 reel movie. (Josh and his father)

Thanks, Josh, for letting me run your booth. Next time I will make sure that I won't come on out of frame in the 3rd reel.

Paul

I am not familiar with the PS-24s. They are older than the 1040s. I have been told that the PS24 is a real pain! The data tag on my 1040 reads both ps24 and 1040 and it is definately a 1040.

As far manufacturing material is concerned--I'll use the railroads as an example!~ remember that the government (USRA) regulated locomotive manufacture during wartime as well as what materials could be used in production! (choice raw materials were reserved for military goods) Also same for roller bearings! I have some articles about the history of Lima, as well as the Cab-Forward, Challenger and Daylight books by Church and Kratville.
 

I don’t know of any other RCA projector installations in the UK, so the Royalty could well have been the only one the UK. Most RCA soundheads here were fitted with Ross or Simplex projector heads. I believe that RCA also installed Italian FEDI projectors, perhaps someone can confirm this.

The extremely reliable RCA 9031 soundheads have been running in Cranleigh since 1954.
I also have an RCA Hollywood 16mm projector with 5,000’ spools which has done many private shows over 25 years.

I am not sure about the SH1000s, but the RCA books specify that the motor resistor be adjusted so that the motor (system) comes up to speed in 2 sec. I understand that bringing up the speed too fast may put too much torque on the geartrain possibly resulting in damage? Ask John Eickhof for his advice!
 

At the Drive-in, we did not use the ballast resistors (someone thought they needed them worse than we did), and the starting torque was so high that we popped shear keys in the BX-60's quite frequently.

Paul

Josh
 

Paul, et al, I took another look at my BX- 40 start up time. It's probably more like a second or so. Since it haven't sheared the fuse in nearly two years of occasional running, I've got to believe all is well. The BX - 40 has to have lower start up inertia than the BX - 80 since there is only one shutter blade. I wouldn't be surprized that the shutter is a big contributor to the overall inertial of the mechanism.

Paul, if you're ever in central Indiana, your welcome to operate my "booth" such as it is!! Jeff
 

Paul

Another thing that I did to my 1040 was mount the 1050 bracket w/flywheel and brake to it.

I had a conversation w/John Eickhof about the true rpm of these motors. John confirmed that these were 1725 rpm motors. The odd speeds given in the tech books and lack of info on the motor data tags were a marketing ploy so you would be forced to buy through RCA, Simplex, etc.

What I have noticed about the R & M motors is this: on the 1040s, they used sleeve bearings on both ends of the rotor which required lube. On the 1050s, they modified the end castings so that one end of the rotor had a sleeve bearing and the other end a sealed roller bearing. Then on the 9030 and later they used roller bearings on both ends. These were essentially the same motors--just with modified end cap castins/patterns for roller bearings.

If anyone needs to have their motor serviced take it to a small motor shop. They can check the balance of the rotor (thats why they are painted w/layout dye) and do a general servicing/cleaning. It is very easy to damage a motor if you dont know what you are doing--and it can also be easy to chip the winding varnish which can cause the motor to short out--but this is fixable.

There are a million and one different manufacturers of small motors--1725rpm is a standard speed. I need to look and see--just for the heck of it-if any of these new motors will fit on the 1040-9050. Theres bound to be something that should. These motors are quite cheap and might be less expensive to buy new instead of having the old ones serviced--unless you are working on a restoration project?
The only thing with a new motor is also checking into installing a ballast resistor

I think they are basically a Frame 48 (maybe?). A good accurate measurement and comparison would verify that. But the shaft configuration for the flywheel (or lack of) could be the real issue.

If I recall correctly, the 90xx motor is a Frame KS-145, and the 10xx is a Frame 3951. And, yes, the RPM box is blank on the 1050 motor.

In any event, it might be possible for a standard run-of-the mill 1725rpm 1/4hp motor might work on some of them if they can be bolted up and still maintain a proper motor shaft to pinion shaft alignment.

But if a flywheel is used, shaft length could be a major issue, and I think that the KS-145 motor uses a tapered shaft for the flywheel.

Maybe some of the other pro's out here can be more specific as to what actually will and what will not work.

Paul

I was in ACE Hardware the other day. They had the same basic motor cradle/mount for motors that is used on these old projectors. I am not sure is the dimensions were the same, though. And of course these new cradles are made out of lighter/cheaper material!

You have a point about the shaft. Yes, it is tapered. If an exact matching motor is not available, maybe one that can be simply modified is?
 

Josh

Will:

With respect to the taper on the motor shaft.....Well, if RCA didn't even post a motor speed on the plate, (let alone had some unidentified NEMA Frame Number), I would presume they made their taper some funky size so that nothing would fit it.

Robbins & Myers are still in business, but they specialize in Reactor Systems, Industrial Mixing, Industrial Pumps and Corrosion-Resistant Products. Energy Systems focuses primarily on serving the oil and gas industry.

Speaking of Robbins & Myers, here is something some of us might find interesting.

Robbins & Myers, Inc. began in 1878 as a gray iron foundry in Springfield, Ohio. Its primary business involved supplying high-quality castings for agricultural machinery and bicycles.

From the late 1800s to the early 1900s the product line expanded to include castings for the motor powered fan. The growing use of electricity prompted Robbins & Myers to develop and manufacture its own line of motor powered fans, that eventually included ceiling, desk, oscillating and ventilating fans. These products proved to be so popular that they quickly became the central part of Robbins & Myers' business and gained a reputation for setting the "standards of the industry." This early reputation continues to be reinforced by the products manufactured today.

Along with quality, Robbins & Myers became known for its innovation. Among those who came to the Company for design and manufacturing assistance were Charles Kettering, inventor of the automobile starter; The John Heinze Company, manufacturer of automobile starters for the Ford Motor Company; and Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of the wireless telegraph. Other customers included such well-known names as Singer, Hoover and Addressograph-Multigraph.

Responding to the demands of manufacturers for tools that would help them increase production, Robbins & Myers applied its experience to the development of high-efficiency materials handling products. In 1929, the Company began manufacturing its own line of hoists, cranes and winches for use in assembly line operations.

The Company entered the industrial pump market in 1936 when it was seeking new growth opportunities for its electric motors. Robbins & Myers became the first North American licensee of the progressing pump design invented by French scientist, Dr. Rene Moineau. The new pump was capable of handling viscous, abrasive, solids-laden materials and needed an electric drive motor as a power supply. Early Robbins & Myers progressing cavity pumps served general industrial markets, where they rapidly became known for their ability to handle the most difficult pumping applications. Development and expansion of the progressing cavity pump line continued to be one of the primary focuses of Robbins & Myers until the early 1940's.

Journey of Prosperity

During WWII, Robbins & Myers was approached by Carl Norden, the inventor of the famed Norden bombsight. He needed a manufacturer capable of producing motors that could meet the high performance demands of the delicate aircraft navigation systems of Allied bomber aircraft. Soon, Robbins & Myers was manufacturing all precision parts of the servomotor for the Norden bombsight and for aircraft stabilizers.

After WWII, Robbins & Myers continued to focus its attention on the design and manufacture of progressing cavity pumps, hoists and cranes, fans, motors and generators. Throughout the decades that followed, the Company advanced the technology and refined the product offering considerably for each of these lines. Industrial and consumer demand for Robbins & Myers' products grew and it established leadership positions within each of its served markets through the introduction of market-driven product innovations.

For example, in 1955, Robbins & Myers was the first to introduce progressing cavity power sections for use in horizontal and directional oil drilling.

In the 1970's, consumers rediscovered the benefits of ceiling fans in residential dwellings and commercial buildings. Consequently, Robbins & Myers' Hunter ceiling fan division experienced explosive sales growth. However, this surge was soon met by a tremendous influx of low-cost products from off-shore manufacturers. The result was a significant increase in competition and a saturated marketplace.

Times of Transition

After the tumultuous rise and decline of the ceiling fan business, the Company found itself attempting to serve too many diversified markets. Eventually, the hoist and crane, and the Hunter fan divisions were divested. Then, in 1980, Robbins & Myers acquired Electro-Craft Corporation, a manufacturer of DC motors, servosystems, and optical encoders, and RKL Controls, a manufacturer of manual and automated pinch valves.

In 1981, Robbins & Myers targeted the untapped North American oil and gas markets with the introduction of the Moyno® Down-Hole Pump. Based on the progressing cavity principle, the Moyno Down-Hole Pump was developed for crude oil extraction and gas well dewatering applications.

By the late 80's, Robbins & Myers significantly broadened its role in the fluids handling marketplace with a series of market-driven, progressing cavity pump products designed to penetrate new markets, both domestically and overseas.

Robbins & Myers later found itself with a struggling Motion Control Group and a growing Fluids Handling Group. Consequently, in 1991, the Motion Control Group was divested and Robbins & Myers established a new fluids management strategy. With its strong global manufacturing and service capabilities the Company focused itself completely on providing products and services for the management of the movement, properties and transformation of fluids.

The 1990's was a key growth period as Robbins & Myers expanded its product offering with the following series of strategic acquisitions and joint ventures.

Acquisition Highlights

Robbins & Myers strengthened its fluids management role with the acquisition of Prochem Mixing Equipment, Ltd. in 1992. Prochem was a manufacturer of high-quality, top- and side-entering mixers. Following the Prochem acquisition, the Company added to its new industrial mixing product line with the purchase of the JWI portable mixer line.

In 1994 Robbins & Myers acquired the business and assets of Chemineer, Inc., the Pfaudler Companies, Inc. and Edlon, Inc. This opened up opportunities to serve a broader range of process industry customers. The acquisition marked the Company's entry into the design and manufacture of glass-lined reactor vessels, static mixers and heat exchangers. It also significantly expanded its agitator and mixer product lines.

The Company's Reactor Systems product platform took global steps in 1996 when it formed a joint venture with Suzhou Glass-Lined Equipment Company Limited of China. It then purchased two Italian glass-lined equipment manufacturers -- Tycon and Technoglass.

The purchase of Greerco in 1997 added high shear mixers to the Industrial Mixing product platform. In the same year, Robbins & Myers acquired PSI/Spectrum, which was combined with Edlon, Inc. to form Edlon-PSI, a manufacturer and marketer of fluoropolymer-based, corrosion-resistant products.

Robbins & Myers solidified its presence in the energy sector in 1997 when it acquired Flow Control Equipment (FCE), a leading manufacturer of artificial lift accessories, wellhead equipment, pipeline closures, rod guides and valves.

In 1998, Robbins & Myers merged Flow Control Equipment and its Moyno Oilfield Products business unit into a single entity, R&M Energy Systems. The merger was commensurate with Robbins & Myers' approach of offering complementary products that facilitate a single-source packaging capability to better meet customers' requirements. The merger also allowed the Company to maximize the integration opportunities between Moyno Oilfield Products and Flow Control Equipment and provided for a more focused global marketing approach.

1999 saw the Company gain controlling interest of glass-lined manufacturer, Gujarat Machinery Manufacturers in India. The same year brought with it a product line repositioning strategy for the Reactor Systems business units. It capitalized on the Company's abilities to design and manufacture complete reactor systems. From feasibility studies and pilot plant testing to installation and start-up support, customers in served markets now have a single source of responsibility for total turnkey reactor solutions. The strategy provides more opportunity for growth through extension of product, systems and service offerings.

The March Toward Tomorrow

Today, Robbins & Myers provides fluids management products, systems and services that fall under its Process Systems and Energy Systems segments. Such diversification helps the Company ensure positive growth through the fluctuating business cycles of end markets. It supplies the strategic direction necessary for long term growth and short term opportunities. The Company will continue to grow existing business units by seeking out and investing in new acquisitions that will complement existing product lines. Internal growth will continue to occur through strong product development initiatives and new market penetration.

The above info was provided by Robbins & Myers.

Paul

I stand corrected about the R & M Motors! According to the data tags the frame numbers for the 1040 and 1050 motors are 395 and 395H. The stators/housings seem to be the same--the exception being roller bearing mods. The rotors also look the same. BUT--the rotor shafts are completly dirrerent!

Thanks for the lesson about R $ M!
 

If your 10xx or 90xx motors bite the dust, it is usually the starter switches that burn or stick. Naturally, they will probably smoke the start winding.

Even though, I think the R&M motors are worth rebuilding, but the starter switches can be a sticky issue.

As far as I know, those switches are no longer available. Presently, there are funky electronic start switches that can be retro-fitted, but I don't like them.

I had two orginal switches, one was new, and one was like new. I gave them both away.

Paul

In 35 years in the booth, the only Brenkerts I have not seen ooze oil all over the floor were those that were sittin' on the shelf. And, that's because there was nothing in them.

Simplex XL must have taken lessons from Brenkerts in that area, too. And, I forgot to mention the Ballentyne Pro-35. Those leak like a <ahem>!

Paul

On the other hand, I have gotten rid of most of the leaks by installing large O-rings to replace the broken ones in the oil cover, and using blue goo just about everywhere else.

Needless to say, none of the sightglasses leak anymore
 

Josh, what do you think?

Paul

Aaron

 

Paul

- page 3-

Robert Sprague
PO Box 948
Petoskey MI 49770-6948

Josh - Next time your on the Film-Tech site, please post the following for me(As I have no access!)

to Aaron Sisemore, Please send me Sprague(Via Mail)your mail address! He has misplaced yours!

2 Minor type mistakes in Brenkert history as posted by Aaron Sisemore;
- Brenkert ws incorperated in 1911(not 1941)
- Ashcraft built RCA Wide Arc Lamp, somehow got printed as Line Arc

[and one more thing]

- Sprague sees need for a "short but complete" Timeline - type of Brenkert history (of Both company and product history) That can be economically produce and mailed out, and says he's "working on it"

(info recieved from Robert Sprague)

lifetime Charter Member #199
American Society of Master Projectionists
(founded by Karl Brenkert and Ernie Forbes in Detroit, 1949)

-end-

Josh

 

Heres the addy for anyone that wants to relay it to Mr. Sprague:

Aaron Sisemore
c/o Cinema West Theatres
PO Box 750595
Petaluma, CA 94975 http://www.cinema-west.com

Josh
 

Robert Sprague replied:
When the Simplex XL Projector Head was introduced (circa 1949-50) it DID if fact have an attached "Screenscope" (mounted on front of head,just above the lens mount) which allowed the operator to sight thru and see a small close up of just a small portion of the screen: you could actually see perforations in the screen thru it!
It DID work--almost TOO well. It had a [right-angle] "elbow" in it.
[Sketch includes rubber eyecup and focus adjustment for different
operators]
All new Simplex XL heads were shipped with them, but they became unpopular (they were in the way of some Scope lenses)around 1953 when
Cinemascope arrived.
Many later XLs had the mount for them, even after Simplex quit
shipping them along with their machines!...You've probable seen the mount but didn't know what the heck they were!
Regards, Robert Sprague [Computerless in Petosky, MI]

To ALL:
Where are these Screenscopes now? Does anyone actually have one? Or have you actually used one? I'm not running XLs any more,
but one would make a fine addition to any collection...
BTW, did Brenkert or any other manufacturer ever market a projector with attached grain-magnifying telescope?

 

Check out the 'State Theatre' in the Warehouse the big house there uses a screenscope for fine focusing.

-Aaron

 

Dear Jeff ….etc.,

Aaron made two "typo goofs" when he posted my letter to him on the Film-Tech site, so I'll correct that first off:

1. BLPC was incorporated in 1911
2. RCA proj. arc lamps, "Line-ARC" should read "Wide-ARC"

To answer your comments and questions:

1. RCA logos were on the Brenkert-made RCA-100 (Brenkert BX-100) mechanism as well as "export models" of BX-40, BX-80, BX-60, BX-62.
2. The ENARC lamp was pretty distinctive: June 1936 (advertisement enclosed) **I have a copy of this and can scan and post if you all like** and picture at top of this letterhead had an ENARC lamp with the "optional" controlled-ventilation "streamline" hood.
3. 1.75:1 aperture plates **these were in my machines when I got them, which made me think they may have been out of service since the late 50's** used by some theaters starting around 1953 -54: it was a "compromise" aspect ratio that was halfway between 1.66 to 1 (European widescreen) and 1.85 to 1 (US widescreen and still current "flat" aspect ratio): so your BX-40's could have been used much later than you suspect!
4. Brenkert factory locations:
** Since I used to live in Detroit, I was curious about the factory location**

1905 - 1907 In the Brenkert family home in Highland Park, Mi. (addr unknown)

Circa 1907 - 1908 In a portion of Joseph Brenkert's downtown Detroit real-estate office (addr. Unknown)

Circa 1908 - 1925 In an old Brenkert family barn located at 49 Cortland Ave. Highland Park, MI

1925 - March 1946 At 7348 St. Aubin Ave at E. Grand Blvd, Detroit
** this is at the edge of the current GM Hamtramck assembly plant**

March 1946 - company closing (circa 1954) At 6545 St. Antoine Ave. just south of E. Grand Blvd in mid-town Detroit.

5. I had difficulty listing Detroit theaters **I had inquired about Detroit theaters having Brenkert gear, since I once lived there and had a few favorite movie houses** that had Brenkert equipment: This is an on-going slow project of mine! (I'm constantly working on it, to not much avail)

6. Serial numbers 5967 & 5968 **my BX-40's S/N's** probably made just at beginning of WW II or just after end of war. The BX-40 and BX-80 "shared" the same "series" of serial numbers, and as the first of the series was #5001, this means you have (in actual numbers!) the 967th and 968th Brenkert heads ever made. There was not a "date-code" in the serial numbers! My extensive research with family members has turned up no serial number or production records, unfortunately: But I know the following:

BX-40, BX-80 and BX-100 shared same number series, starting at #5001

BX-60 and BX-62 shared same number series, starting at #3001

Heads converted to BX-90 telecine model, numbers starting at #1001

7. Well, the A.S.M.P. **American Society of Master Projectionists - I had inquired about this** was "sort of" an idea of Karl Brenkert and Ernie Forbes (Detroit's RCA & Brenkert dealer) and it had limited membership, usually among friends of Karl and Ernie!!! (it is now, of course, defunct but I still consider it an honor of sorts to be involved!)

More on the BX-40 model - It was never advertised or promoted by either RCA or Brenkert! It's only differences from the BX-80 were that it had a single rear shutter rather than two counter rotating shutters of the BX-80. Also, they scrimped a few bucks by having the raised vertical "ribs" on the door painted (rather than polished un-painted as on the BX-80), Otherwise, it was the same as the BX-80! (The BX-40 was discontinued before 1948 introduction of the simpler (and cheaper) BX-60 mechanism.

Incidentally, after RCA "dumped" Brenkert in the mid-1950's, they basically threw away all the old Brenkert written records, etc. Ed Wolk in Chicago bought up all the on-hand Brenkert parts, etc., which RCA had stashed away in an old warehouse.

Would love to try to answer any more questions you may have! If I know, I'll let you know: If I don't know, I'll tell you I don't know. But I have about 100 pounds of Brenkert "paper" (research stuff, etc.)

Keep in touch, best regards, Robert Sprague

**I had told him I used to live in Michigan, and remembered possibly BX-80's in a small Michigan local theater that was operated by a friend of my father's back in the 60's his response:**

PS Brenkert's were very popular in states near Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, etc. In fact Brenkert's were more popular in Chicago than Detroit. Chicago two biggest theaters had Brenkert's: Chicago (4100 seats), Uptown (4500 seats)


 

I'd inquired about what "Brenkert Oil" actually was...here are his comments:

"I don't know what Wolk is selling as "Brenkert Oil", but I will tell you this -

In 1948, when I worked at the factory, Brenkert was buying non-detergent light weight motor oil from Penzoil and putting it in Brenkert cans! It was light but I have forgotten the SAE no.

I do know it was non-detergent and this is most important.

Simplex oil can be used in a Brenkert, although I don't know what oil company made it."
 

I have 5 gallons of ISO-10 Anti-Wear high speed spindle oil from Chevron. Gonna try that stuff.

Paul
 

Sounds like we are getting into the same types of oil for soundheads?

Non Detergent oils are labled different than say 10W-40. They are labled like 40WND or so--it says ND on the can. I understand that the purpose of using nondetergent oils was to prevent foaming, etc.
 

The ISO-10 Spindle oil looks like it may be what is needed, and I am going to send a gallon to Josh to run in one of his junk Brenkerts for evaluation purposes. From my experiments with it, it really looks promising. Heck, it is only 7 bucks a gallon, vs 8 bucks a pint for Wolk's Brenkert oil.

There's been a contingent on Film-Tech in the past that have
indicated that automatic transmission fluid will work fine. I know it's very light weight but not sure if it's ND. Not as cheap as the stuff you have, but lower cost than Wolk's oil and no shipping cost!

Jeff
 

Paul

Thanks for your input on the spindle oil. Best news I heard yet when it comes to Brenkerts.

Josh, when you get that gallon I sent, run it in that machine that ran tight on us, and let us know how it does

Paul

Since Brenkert uses ISO-10, there is no real need to fool with anything else. At 7 bucks a gallon, it still beats 10 bucks a gallon for ATF.

Sorry for the silly question but, is ISO 10 the same as SAE 10?
Something tells me it isn't.
 

I would presume SAE number and the ISO number are completely different.

Paul

Josh - let us know how your experiment works out.
 

Josh
 

-Aaron

 

-Aaron

 

The oil is a hydraulic type. Not knowing what is available in the USA would make substitution interesting. I have also used the same oil in Cinemaccanica Vic8's. It is a fairly thin oil which seems to find any leaky seals. We have also considered Shell Tellus 26 which is a little thicker in density but have never bothered to try to obtain it.

Regards

Michael
 

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