Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: How to remove Simplex gate

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Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 07-08-2009, 12:31 PM:

Accurate title. I have a Simplex Standard, and I feel like a bit of an idiot. I've searched the forums and read some pretty close manuals, but I just can't figure it out. How do you get the gate trap out?

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-08-2009, 07:24 PM:

Well, there were some non removable gates. Most come out by lifting them upward toward the upper sprocket; they are molunted on slots. Louis

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-08-2009, 09:10 PM:

Ours has one screw that is captive in the assembly - loosen that screw and the gate slides out. The front part (the moving part) has two thumb screws holding it in -- take those off and it just pulls right out.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-08-2009, 10:16 PM:

The part with the two thumbscrews is the gate on an XL machine. The trap is the part which needs a flathead screwdriver to loosen from the chassis. Somehow I do not think the original poster has an XL, though.

Posted by Phillip Grace (Member # 2262) on 07-08-2009, 10:30 PM:

It should lift out, just as Louis said, but it might take a bit of force to release the grip caused by years of gunk. Bit of CRC sprayed on the top of the bracket might ease the situation
Check also for a set screw on top of the sliding bracket. I saw one like this once. Probably one of the many after-market modifications.

Posted by Dick Prather (Member # 1136) on 07-09-2009, 12:14 AM:

Do you mean the Gate or Film Trap? The gate is the one that moves and is towards the lens.

Early gates fit into slots as Louis mentions. On these lift up and out. Simplex had a mod to fit into the slots and stay. Gate used two shafts with knurled nuts to keep gate in place. Wenzel used only one shaft and a locating pin. Could be a couple of other gate set up's around.

The Film Trap is screwed to the main frame. More instructions needed if this is what you are trying to remove.
Dick

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 07-09-2009, 09:08 AM:

Thanks for the thoughts guys. The projector itself is a pre-IPC era Standard or Regular, so basically pre-1920 but with loads of mods (water cooled gate) etc, for drive-in use. Its probably just really gunked up, I will try some CRC. I just thought I would check they actually do come out on this model. I didn't want to bend the bottom part of the gate trying to brute force it out, only to find out they are fixed.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-09-2009, 10:37 AM:

Ah - had the gate and the trap mixed up. Thanks guys.

Posted by Phillip Grace (Member # 2262) on 07-10-2009, 12:42 AM:

Be very careful of the apron at the bottom of the gate. It holds the intermittent shoes and can only be adjusted by bending it with pliers. Any misalignment here will be a horror to fix. Try grabbing the gate from the top with one hand and using a strong finger of the other in through the aperture from the lens side. Wiggle and Lift. (or "Swish and Flick" for HP fans)

Posted by Paul Trimboli (Member # 1509) on 07-10-2009, 05:32 AM:

Damien that machines you have defiantly lifts up and then out. I do remember it being a bit tight but was easy enough to get out.