Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Opening the fire-shutter on a Century SA Westar

This is topic Opening the fire-shutter on a Century SA Westar in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004270

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 12-02-2002, 04:28 PM:

Is there a proper way to prop open the fire shutter on a Century SA? I am installing new lamphouses, and just need it open to pass the alignment cord through. I am tempted to tie the governor weight to the horizontal shaft, but I thought there might be a better way. Any suggestions?

Posted by Pat Moore (Member # 380) on 12-02-2002, 04:53 PM:

I always stretched a rubber band down from the weight on the dowser blade to the intermittent flywheel, as I remember. I also recall an engineer that had a screwdriver ideally sized that he could wedge in on that same weight that would hold the dowser open. As long as it doesn't damage any pieces of the machine...

Pat

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-02-2002, 05:30 PM:

No, no, no...don't use no stinkin rubber bands, and don't be stickin' no screwdrivers in the projector....

Get yourself a paperclip...open it up and hook it on the fireshutter weight and then around the shutter shaft...it is safe and effective. If you forget...it won't tend to destroy your machine if you turn it on...unless you are truely unlucky and it falls in somewhere.

Steve

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 12-02-2002, 07:44 PM:

The paper clip worked well. Thanks, Steve.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-02-2002, 11:57 PM:

Don't use a rag.... [Big Grin]

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-03-2002, 07:48 PM:

...or a wad of old nitrate film...

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-03-2002, 09:54 PM:

Joe,
Just slam a crowbar, or the end of a sludge hammer through the lens mount. That'll keep it open for you!
Mark