Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Bought an old booth

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Posted by Harry Robinson (Member # 265) on 06-17-2003, 11:46 AM:

I just bought the booth out of an old college auditorium this morning. It consists of two Simplex SPS portables, serial #SP 5498 and 5482. Any idea of when they were built?

Also I scored two small carbon arc lamps. I wish I had the incandescent setup, but maybe I can either find them or refit the arc enclosures. All ideas are welcome.

Are the power supplies for the exciter lamps internal on these units? There's a bunch of old Simplex electronics laying around with this stuff. I'm not sure if I need to pick up all of it. What do you think?

Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 06-17-2003, 01:17 PM:

Advice coming from a true pack rat [Smile]

GRAB AS MUCH OF THAT STUFF AS YOU CAN!! You'll never know what you'll find in piles of old junk. Grab the logical things like carbons, sprockets, other good parts. Sounds like fun, best luck [Smile]

Josh

Posted by Dick Prather (Member # 1136) on 06-17-2003, 04:55 PM:

Harry,
The information I have says the SP was made up to 1951 and that year started with serial # 4919. I wouldn't have thought they made over 500 of them the last year though. Could they be possible #3xxx. If so they would be 1946. They made both arc and incandesent versions. Mine has the 1000 watt bulb in it. If memory serves they do have the exciter transformer built in them.

I also agree with Josh, TAKE EVERYTHING, you may not get a second chance. It's easier to toss stuff after you have it then wish you would have grabbed when you were there. Have fun.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 06-17-2003, 07:11 PM:

Take everything! If you end up with stuff you don't want, offer it here (in the for sale/wanted forum) and trade it for other stuff that you can use. Alternatively, there's always the Ebay option.

Oh, and if the booth is complete and operational, take pictures before you start dismantling everything. This will give you something to send in to Brad for the picture gallery and may also be useful when you try to remember how to reassemble the equipment once you get it home.

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 06-17-2003, 07:26 PM:

God I wish I could go through that stuff with you. You northern guys have all the fun. There ain't shit down here to pilfer through.

Posted by John Anastasio (Member # 607) on 06-17-2003, 07:53 PM:

Northern guys? From Tennessee? Up here we consider anything south of Philadelphia to be Southern, Sam. Believe it or not, the Mason-Dixon line went through south New Jersey. Wal, shut mah mouth and pass the cornpone, [Big Grin]

if you-all ain't been to Cape May!

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 06-17-2003, 10:16 PM:

Yeah, anything north of Shreveport is considered northern [Wink]

Anyway, didn't notice that Harry was in Tennesee.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-17-2003, 10:48 PM:

Definately snag as much stuff as you can carry out. [Smile]

Posted by Mathew Molloy (Member # 666) on 06-17-2003, 10:54 PM:

Paul, your signature line is right on!

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 06-18-2003, 10:02 AM:

Harry, I live about 45 miles from you.... if you get anything good and can't use it, let me know.

Have pick up truck.... will travel!!!

Posted by Harry Robinson (Member # 265) on 06-18-2003, 01:35 PM:

Barry,
I'll send you a list of stuff when I get it all home. It's probably time we got together anyway. There aren't that many Film-Techers in Nashville.

Posted by Steve Anderson (Member # 364) on 06-18-2003, 09:39 PM:

You got that right! Harry

Barry, saw the screen last weekend very Nice!

The Stardust Drive-In is really coming together

Posted by Harry Robinson (Member # 265) on 06-19-2003, 08:11 AM:

Is it time for a Nashville Film-Tech gathering? I'll bet the Framklin Cinema would make a good venue.

I got the stuff today. It filled one layer of a U-Hall 14' truck. There's a lot here for me to figure out. I'll be asking many questions over the next few months.

[ 06-19-2003, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: Harry Robinson ]