Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Monee Projector Models

This is topic Monee Projector Models in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Ian Bailey (Member # 1752) on 10-16-2005, 08:36 PM:

Hi
Just need to know how many models of Monee projectors are out there.
What projector is the Monee a copy of?
Can the manual for the projector that the Monee has been copied from be used to service a Monee?
Thanks
ps Don't burn me on this one I inherited this magic piece of machinery!!!!!

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 10-16-2005, 09:06 PM:

Generally if it is a Monee it is either a two piece which is a copy of a Century SA or a single piece model. Generally most Century parts will work in the drive train...there are some differences regarding projector drive pulley, sound drum assembly, exciter assembly,threading lamp, lens turret. Seals from Lavezzi and minor adjustments on the intermittent assembly should be checked on. All gear set screws should be replaced with better hardware since most of our service problems where loose gears or leaking intermittents. Monee is at least better than earlier Cinecitas made by another Indian family member years ago.

Posted by Dick Prather (Member # 1136) on 10-16-2005, 10:22 PM:

I have rebuilt several Monee intermittents and found the material used in making the star, cam & sprocket was softer then LaVezzi products. All major parts are the same as a Century. Most rebuilds required complete replacement of parts and were more difficult to set-up properly. Not forgiving if low on oil. Ran fine after LaVezzi parts replacement. Most screws were metric.
Dick

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 10-17-2005, 02:33 AM:

Most of the Monees I have serviced had a mix of SAE and metric fasteners all over the place.

As mentioned above, many Century parts fit the Monee, many don't. A Century intermittent will fit perfectly into the Monee, but the reverse requires slight machining of the rear of the intermittent casing to clear the Century flywheel.

Build quality is hit-n-miss for the most part, and some of the assemblies appeared to have been hand made or done on really crude machining tooling.

However, when they do run right, they do produce a spectacular picture.

-Aaron

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-18-2005, 06:21 AM:

I pity the poor slobs that end up with these machines!

Posted by Jonathan Worthing (Member # 803) on 10-20-2005, 03:54 AM:

Serviced one yesterday.

Quite running, steady crisp picture.

When they are looked after, (which this one is) it is hard to fault them.

Saying that they don't like to be abused & dirt is there worst enemy.

Not the best projector, but by far not the worst.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-20-2005, 09:50 AM:

There are very few "bad projectors" if they are installed, operated and maintained as the manufacturer recomeneded out

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-20-2005, 03:02 PM:

While I have a personal preference for Century; I would not trash a Monee. Since they are essentially identical; a good overhaul would yield a Century-clone. Louis

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-20-2005, 06:33 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
a good overhaul would yield a Century-clone. Louis

Oh come on Louis... do you really think the cheap skates that are buying these junk heaps are going to also pay for an overhaul... give me a break.... these are absolute crap..... most of the assemblies are not even interchangable from one machine to another becasue they're made with out jigs of any sort.... Fortunatley all of them(except one) around my service area have been removed in favor of either real Centurys or other projectors. BTW: They also have the worst of the worst turretts.

There was a six plex that had them when I first moved out here and all the hardware used to constantly loosen up on its own and sometimes literally fall of the machine... locktite only solved some of it but good projectors don't need locktite! Thiose six were the last ones here to get pulled out... and sent back to CFS for a refund... they were replaced by Simplex's and all problems in the booth ceased.

quote: Gordon McLeod
if they are installed, operated and maintained as the manufacturer recomeneded out

Yea, like that happens often.....

Mark

Posted by Chad Lindsey (Member # 2212) on 11-06-2005, 06:08 AM:

I would have to agree that, if maintained, the Monee can be quite a friendly creature. At first I thought "Ancient = Bad" but I have learned that these projectors aren't ancient... just "mature" [Smile]

Posted by Tom Sauter (Member # 616) on 11-06-2005, 05:12 PM:

A friend of ours refers to the Monee as the "money"...

quote: Gordon McLeod
There are very few "bad projectors" if they are installed, operated and maintained as the manufacturer recomeneded

If manufacturer recommends tightening the drivetrain or replacing the set screws upon installation, then this would indeed be a "good projector".

The lack of tight manufacturing tolerances is a severe shortcoming. While they are certainly servicable machines, they do become "bad projectors" because servicing them is a pain. Seriously, you can pay now for a better, more forgiving machine, or pay later for service calls.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-06-2005, 07:43 PM:

Tom: pay now/later is the rule that most of us live by. Unfortunately, many of our customers are "accountants" who do not understand any concept except "low initial cost." That is why there is so much bad equipment, poorly installed. Mostof my business is "mopping up" after someone else does that. Louis

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-07-2005, 01:31 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
Mostof my business is "mopping up" after someone else does that. Louis

Boy, You can say that again... I spend alot of time mopping up supposed rebuilt used equipment thats sold by a certain Denver dealer. One of our customers who likes to buy used from him always teases us and says we make more profit repairing what used equipment they sell him that we would have made selling him brand new equipment..... Sad... but he's absolutely right!

Mark
(Somewhere in beautiful Northern Wyoming)