Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Big Sky Simplex oil

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Posted by Matt Young (Member # 5327) on 11-02-2009, 03:32 PM:

I usually order my supplies from Big Sky for the booth. Last week I placed an order for some stuff (optical cues, tape, oil, etc...) and I got my order in today. Everything was fine, except the oil...

I usually get sent simplex oil in the metal cans, like on the left. This time I get some generic kmart 5W30 looking bottle with no label.

Does anyone have any experience ordering from Big Sky? would you use this oil? It's not that I don't trust them, it's just I'm a little iffy dumping this in my projectors without really knowing what it is. ok, essentially I guess I dont trust them [Smile]

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-02-2009, 06:57 PM:

Prob their owned packaged 10w non-detergent hydraulic oil .. a lot cheaper than varnished laden Simplex oil.

As long as it feels about as thick as the Simplex stuff, you'd be okey.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-02-2009, 07:20 PM:

The Strong packaged Simplex oil has become hideously expensive and Big Sky is probably just packaing their own 10 weight stuff. Many dealers do this to help YOU keep YOUR costs down.

Mark

Posted by Mike Moreno (Member # 4887) on 11-02-2009, 10:27 PM:

i get the oil from BIG SKY to.
and it came in the plastic bottle. no problem with it. dont worry.

mike moreno

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-03-2009, 09:01 AM:

I think they might run afoul of many Whimis or OSHA rules not haveing the bottle properly labled

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-03-2009, 09:15 AM:

Gord, The label is on the other side of the bottle!

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 11-03-2009, 02:18 PM:

Years ago I could always tell if the projectionist was using "genuine simplex oil" by the strange deposits,as Monte describes,on the gear side of the picture head. Some things never change.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-03-2009, 02:43 PM:

Perhaps it is best if you just call Bid Sky 908-454-6344 ask for Mike Avalone.

We also market our own oil as a way to reduce shipping and to get really good oil for less money. Quality depends on what is in the bottle.

I would not buy anything from someone I don't trust. In this instance most of the folks are Big Sky are OK. Louis

Posted by Matt Young (Member # 5327) on 11-03-2009, 04:13 PM:

Thats who I always order through is Mike

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-03-2009, 07:04 PM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
Strong packaged Simplex oil has become hideously expensive

Makes you wonder if STRONG picked up the same tricks as the dealers are by getting generic oil and sticking it their cans and doing a major markup.

..yas never know and you'll never will know either...

-Monte

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-04-2009, 08:58 AM:

Monte: for years Simplex oil was sold in gallons just like Century oil. Lately, the price increases and the container gets smaller, just like Campbells Tomato Soup!

As for dealers who cheat; this is nothing new. The big issue for us is the fact that we stock. In addition to the high price for the (brand name) oil to start with is the cost of incoming freight. This leads to the thought that dealers are crooks. Add my cost to the cost of UPS and, I assure you, my actual cost is way too much. Buying great oil locally saved a great deal of money and we are able to only charge "old time prices." Of course this idea is not for the lazy. Louis

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 11-04-2009, 10:02 AM:

"Simplex" brand oil may have once been some exotic secret blend of oils. It sure isn't any more. You are welcome to buy it from Ballantyne at their price. The other approach is to get the oil MSDS from Ballantyne, it states the actual oil type and maybe even the original brand name that Ballantyne purchases and repackages. They likely get it by the drum and fill their tin jugs: you and I can buy it by the gallon at a local dealer for less that Ballantyne charges, or if you have a lot of projectors it comes in 5 and 40 gallon drums as well - cheaper again by volume.
Many cinema dealers have figured this out, and will supply exactly what Ballantyne sells as Simplex projector oil - just cheaper than the "real" stuff. Some sell generic detergent-free SAE-10 oil, not the same stuff as Ballantyne's but still OK oil.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-04-2009, 09:05 PM:

Watch out on the MSDS sheet thing...it isn't the full story...just what is essential from a hazardous materials concern (what happens if this package breaks and the strange liquid comes out...folks need to know how to deal with it).

As Brad Miller if the MSDS sheet tells the whole story on Film-Guard.

That said...I doubt there is a real secret blend on Simplex Oil and it appears that Simplex oil in the last year or so is not what has been traditionally supplied (it is definitely a different color).

Then again, I've seen "brand-X" Simplex oil used in Simplexes and the results are not good. I've never had a problem using the genuine stuff. It doesn't last as long as it used to...you can hear the difference in the machine in about 500-hours.

There is also nothing to say that a superior oil could not be used instead of the genuine Simplex oil either...Mark will list about 10,000 reasons for using a synthetic oil, for instance. One better make sure that the oil is indeed the right viscosity to ensure the intermittent is lubricated properly and the oil does wick to where it needs to get.

Steve

Posted by Dennis M Dow Jr (Member # 1970) on 11-05-2009, 01:51 PM:

The oil we provide is direct replacement for the projectors we provide it for. It will not harm your projector. As far as the label goes we will provide one if it is requested. Any questions do not hesitate to call at (908)454-6344

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 11-05-2009, 04:24 PM:

Steve: True, an MSDS can be crafted to not tell the whole story, indeed the oil brand and type described on the Simplex oil MSDS could not be exactly recreated by using the MSDS as a recipe. Ballantyne doesn't try to be secretive, though: they just copy you the MSDS from their oil supplier. I can buy the same product in bulk here and repack it in gallon jugs: this is the exact same oil, just cheaper for me and the end user.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-05-2009, 06:01 PM:

So are you guys north of the line still charging 100.00 Can. for a gallon (?litres) of projector oil?

Mark