Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: How do you disassemble a platter?

This is topic How do you disassemble a platter? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Matt Hale (Member # 1518) on 01-23-2003, 02:01 PM:

Does anybody know?

I have an old Potts Alpha that I need to get apart...do the platters come off the arms or do the arms come off the post? They sort of want to pivot at the post, which makes me think the platters come off and then the arms fold up. I downloaded the manual, but it only covers operation, not (dis)assembly.

[Confused]

Thanks.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-23-2003, 02:11 PM:

Take off the decks. Take off the motors from the arms. Now there are two things you'll have to do. First there is a black allen/hex screw that needs to be removed. Not sure what its' purpose is but take it out anyway. Now there is one big long ass bolt that goes through the entire column. You'll need two nutdrivers (7/16 I believe) to get that thing off. Pull it out while holding onto the arm so it doesn't fall. You will have to remove the connector that attaches the wire from the arm to the tree, which is as easy as disconnecting your typical Strong make up table. Have fun!

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 01-23-2003, 04:29 PM:

Remove the pay-out heads, and simply lift the decks off. (two people should be used for that, otherwise the bind in the bearing won't allow an easy lift.

There is a bracket that hold the entire motor to the mast. Use a 7/16 wrench to remove them.

As Joe says, a hex wrench is needed to remove the 4 bolts that hold the arm the mast.

Now some platters used a Jones Plug to plug the arm wiring into the mast's receptical, and some didn't. So be aware that you might have to cut some wires.

I had to edit this to correct some spelling.

[ 01-23-2003, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: Paul G. Thompson ]

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-23-2003, 04:32 PM:

I usually just disasemble to the same level they were shipped as
lift the decks off and then use an allen wrench to remove the 2 legs.
The arms and the motors are left attched to the colum

Posted by Matt Hale (Member # 1518) on 01-23-2003, 06:29 PM:

Thanks guys. I didnt realize the decks just lift off. I spent all morning looking for some kind of retaining clip or screw or something, but its so simple! Oh well.

Does anybody know what that hex screw / bolt next to the "long ass" bolt that goes through the post does? On mine its a regular bolt, and cant be undone while the arm is still attached because the flange from the arm is as thick as the head of the bolt - nothing to get a wrench or socket onto (I wonder how they got it in there to begin with?) I had to sort of twist the arm off trying very hard not to bend the flange. Do I need to put that little bolt back when I re-assemble the platter? I cant think what purpose it serves.

Posted by Rick Long Jr (Member # 541) on 01-23-2003, 07:15 PM:

On the 5 tier versions, a roller lives there.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 01-23-2003, 07:16 PM:

That bolt you mention is to lock the arm in the "up" postion for shipping. It also keeps the arm from pivoting upward when you lift the decks off.

On very old Potts platters (not upgraded) the control plates were hard wired and you have to take the cover off the microswitch & undo the 2 wires from the switch. Otherwise the control plates just lift off by pulling straight up.