Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: AW3 Washer Around Axle On Platter?

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Posted by Cody Martin (Member # 2523) on 01-01-2006, 10:53 PM:

Hello guys,

New problem. Have gotten my AW3 Platter set up and noticed one thing--a wobbly deck(bottom). I switched motors (still did it). I also checked the deck and it isn't warped at all. I went as far as switching arms and it still did it. The axle is also fine and so are the washers that are on the axle. I was wondering if there are washers that are on the inside of the AW3 decks around the axle hole(sorry for lack of technically term). To me it seems like the deck is too loose around the axle. So, are there washers, and are they replacable?

Thanks,
Cody

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 01-01-2006, 11:28 PM:

I'm sure the part number is in the manual.
Yes, there are 2 washers and a roller bearing sandwiched between them under that deck.
Pull the deck off, clean the whole thing hub, shaft, bearings, everything.
Degrease it completely, check the hub of the deck as well as the bearings and washers for flat spots and replace as necessary.
Remember to grease it up with some heavy grease.

Posted by Cody Martin (Member # 2523) on 01-01-2006, 11:34 PM:

Dominic,

Thank you for your reply. I have checked the washer and roller bearings under the deck, what I am referring to would be inside of the deck hub. This is where it seems like the play is at. After degreasing and regreasing the up-down deck motion decreased a little, but still not enough to evenly wind film.

Any ideas,
Cody

Posted by Stan Gunn (Member # 554) on 01-02-2006, 12:45 AM:

Hi Cody

it seems to me that a bush that is on the inside of the hub is worn or missing, I think there may be 2 bushs with a space between them.

Its been a long time since i have had one apart.

Stan

Posted by Thomas Dieter (Member # 2507) on 01-02-2006, 01:03 AM:

Stan-- You're Right. There are two bushes on the inside of the hub with a space between them. I just recently took the decks off of one of our systems and thuroughly cleaned everything. After that, I properly re-greased the shaft, the washers, and the bearing washer. In doing this, I found our problem, as the Bearing washer wasn't sandwiched between the two washers, which was causing our deck to spin incorrectly, and drop the show during the first 5 mins of the movie.

Cody-- What you might want to do is checked the two Bushes that are in the hub, and make sure that they aren't damaged. If they were damaged when the deck was put on last, this might be causing your problem.

Good Luck!

Posted by Cody Martin (Member # 2523) on 01-02-2006, 09:24 AM:

Thanks for all of your guys help. I have checked the bushings and one of them is cracked. Does anyone know where I can find these parts, and about how much they will cost?

Thanks,
cody

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 01-02-2006, 09:36 AM:

I don't believe the bushings are available separately so the entire deck will most likely have top be replaced.... cost is around 700.00 I believe. This is one of the consequences of moving entire decks to move a print around.... stupid stupid stupid (not blaming you though Cody)!

P.S. Only use a synthetic wheel bearing grease on the axel and bearings! Using anything else usually results in a big mess to clean up.

Mark

Posted by Cody Martin (Member # 2523) on 01-02-2006, 10:48 AM:

Mark,

Thanks for your reply. I'm sad that the bushing can be purchased separately. The cost for an entire deck is more than i payed for the system. Right now what the platter does is when the film is being wound it has enough of a tilt so that the film has an up down pattern while winding. The film is also very spongy. For now, I will use the other two decks, either until I can find a solution, or replace the deck.

On another note, I cannot imagine people moving the entire deck, that is crazy.

Thanks again Mark,
Cody

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-02-2006, 10:52 AM:

replace the deck if it was a strong platter all that would be replaced is the bearings
you probably could get a shop to make a replacement bushing for it for less than the cost of the deck

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-02-2006, 01:31 PM:

quote: Cody Martin
On another note, I cannot imagine people moving the entire deck, that is crazy.

Sorry, but I will move an entire deck if that print is large and heavy, won't fit on a "pizzaboard", you have extra hands helping you and you learn to be careful with the move.

(like try moving "LOTR's", or "God's and Generals" by yourself)

Yet, it's rare that I will move a print like this.

-Monte

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 01-02-2006, 03:59 PM:

Monte,

Like I said... moving decks is stipud stupid stupid! If you don't have large enough clamps then back off enough on to a 6000 foot reel or two until you do. There is absolutely NO excuse for moving an entire deck... except for laziness. With the proper film mover you can easily move an 8 reel print by yourself in less than a minuite.

Mark

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-02-2006, 04:11 PM:

True, I do have a big board that can move 9 reel prints around with some ease (but not too fun though..but how many 9 plus reel prints do I handle per year...), but you should know me that I'm pretty careful with this equipment that I have and that you know what I have. -Monte

Posted by David Favel (Member # 1125) on 01-02-2006, 07:09 PM:

Just finished moving King Kong.
Big pizza board, down staris, out the door and 30 meters to the building next door.

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 01-02-2006, 07:17 PM:

We have AW3's not AW3R's so that keeps me motivated enough to just carry the prints [Wink]

All the more reason to make sure your platters are taking up nice and tight.
It took 3 of us, but we carried Gods & Generals down the booth, around the corner, down the stairs, and over without clamps.

What is a projectionist who doesn't live a little dangeriously every now and then, eh?

Posted by Patrick Dunn (Member # 3333) on 01-02-2006, 07:29 PM:

Actually I've used this technique, clamping long prints , that I learned in the tips section to clamp King Kong from one booth to another and it worked without a problem

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 01-02-2006, 08:02 PM:

One of the N.C.S. techs makes a repair system for AW3 bad bushings. As I understand it, this is about 12 inches in diameter with weldments in the center that true-up the existing bushings. Try Bud Shepard in Mass or the main NCS office in Louisiana. This is National Cinema Service, not Supply. Louis

Posted by Cody Martin (Member # 2523) on 01-03-2006, 04:01 PM:

Thanks for all of your help guys. I am looking into the kit mentioned above. Hopefully this can be fixed. I am also going to get some exact measurements of the busings and see if anyone has something of similar size and thickness. Thanks again,
Cody

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 01-06-2006, 07:00 AM:

Cody,

The platters decks have two (bronze I believe) bushings inside. They are probably pressed in for a friction fit. You may be able to have someone replace them but it may be hard to do without damaging the deck. Also the decks are too big to go into a hydraulic press. If I were you I would try to locate a used deck. Good luck.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-06-2006, 10:25 AM:

You can also check on a "scratch 'n dent" deck from Christie. Occasionally something happens at the factory and they will end up with a few decks that will work perfectly, but have some marks on it that they will sell at a low cost.