Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: On a Simplex 1050, what's a solution for the film gate screws vibrating loose?

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Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 05-09-2008, 03:08 AM:

I'm having to tighten the film gate screws on 2 houses after almost every show. Even with the gate closed, I would imagine this has to throw the focus off slightly.

I've also had problems with the hex head screw that's just to the right of the film trap (if you were looking at it face on). In the past this screw has moved just enough that the gate will close too far and cause the pivot to lock. I've got the screw backed out enough to stop the pivot problem, but I've had difficulty getting the focus dialed in to my satisfaction. Any thoughts?

[ 05-11-2008, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: Justin Hamaker ]

Posted by Fred Tucker (Member # 4482) on 05-09-2008, 06:03 AM:

Have you tried loc-tite? If you ever need to loosen it later-on acetone works great.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-09-2008, 08:32 AM:

Definately Loc-Tite but ONLY use the blue "medium strength" stuff. If you use the red "High Strength" stuff it'll never come apart if you want it to!

quote: Justin Hamaker
Any thoughts?

Yes! A Christie P-35GPS is the best solution. They don't fall apart whilst running.

Mark

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 05-09-2008, 07:14 PM:

quote: Justin Hamaker
I've got the screw backed out enough to stop the pivot problem, but I've had difficulty getting the focus dialed in to my satisfaction. Any thoughts?

Do you mean the focus is drifting, or is it a lens focus ring issue?

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 05-09-2008, 08:20 PM:

quote: Tim Reed
Do you mean the focus is drifting, or is it a lens focus ring issue?

When I backed out that screw it changed the gap between the film gate and the film trap. I've tried messing with it and I either get it to tight and wind up getting wax all over the projector. Or it's too loose and the focus is soft. I don't think it's an issue with the lens.

The best I can tell, the hex screw I'm talking about serves no other purpose than to control how far the film gate closes.

[ 05-10-2008, 02:38 AM: Message edited by: Justin Hamaker ]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 05-09-2008, 11:12 PM:

Oh, that's exactly its function. I adjust it so the intermittent pad shoe just contacts the sprocket, and just a little more. Not much more, though. You might have to go back and forth a couple times to get it just right, it's a trial and error thing.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-10-2008, 01:45 AM:

Yea, it's called a "gate stop allen screw" and it's a PITA to get right - as Tim mentions.

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 05-10-2008, 02:03 AM:

Isn't there supposed to be a jam-nut on the set-screw to keep it from vibrating loose? My recollection seems to be that there is.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-10-2008, 05:55 AM:

I think Tristan is right. Look in another projector or th emanual. Louis

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-10-2008, 08:53 PM:

..none of my 18, 1050's have that jam nut on that allen bolt..just that they are really snugged in their respective threaded holes real good.

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 05-11-2008, 02:23 AM:

Same here. My 12 1050s are snug.
Interestingly, I wasn't even aware of that screw even being there until this thread came up: We've been having one of our film traps "overextend" and require fiddling to get it situated right. Adjusting that screw fixed the problem.

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 05-11-2008, 03:49 PM:

I probably thinking of the adjustment screw for the 1060 or Millennium projector. To be honest, I can't picture exactly which screw Justin is referring to. It seems he is talking about two different things in his original post.

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 05-11-2008, 06:15 PM:

quote: Tristan Lane
It seems he is talking about two different things in his original post.

Tristan, I am talking about two different things. The first is the large thumb screws that hold the film gate in place. These are intended to be easily removed for routine cleaning.

The second is a black hex head screw that's behind the film trap. It controls how far the film gate can close.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-11-2008, 06:52 PM:

quote: Justin Hamaker
tighten the film gate screws on 2 houses after almost every show

I'm sure that there is at least one of us that have to contend with this situation on a daily basis out there in "XL" land. Welcome to the group.

Even when I ran a changeover house with XL's that I had to re-snug up the knurls between each reel change.

There are times when I visit my locations with the 1050's that I find a knurl or two on the floor due, or at least all of them loose to the booth clowns not checking this small thing out when threading up projectors-and this is from telling them time after time to check this out when doing their thread-ups.

-Monte