Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Simplex 35mm suitcase projector

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Posted by Robert Edwards (Member # 8541) on 10-16-2014, 11:05 PM:

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forum, but I am very glad to be apart of the community!

I recently got hold of Simplex 35mm sound projector. Everything seems to look intact. It needs a real cleaning... Before I start taking things apart I wanted to get more information on this model. I tried searching online for a manual or parts list but I didn't have much luck. The model of the projector is SPS1 I have included some pictures of the projector, but basically it is the typical "suitcase" type projector.

I would really appreciate any help at all or any kind of literature regarding this projector or similar models.

Here are the images:

http://www.film-tech.com/uploads/uploads0503/rsz_simplex.jpg

http://www.film-tech.com/uploads/uploads0503/rsz_2simplex_plate1.jpg

Best Regards,

Robert

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 10-17-2014, 01:56 AM:

I'll help out to put these picts in this thread. They're quite an interesting machine since it was rare to find 35mm safety film during this era.

Good luck - Monte

Posted by John Eickhof (Member # 323) on 10-17-2014, 02:21 PM:

It is a Simplex SP projector. I have manuals, parts lists and lots of parts for them. It uses a 1500 watt Mazda incandescent bulb. I may even have a set of 2000ft magazines instead of the 100ft that is in the machine now.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-17-2014, 03:35 PM:

I wouldn't run anything important or valuable on it!!

Mark

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 10-17-2014, 04:26 PM:

Click here to view a youtube video of a friend's Simplex SP, with the factory stand, and the factory replacement film gate to allow for changeable aperture plates. He modified the projector for 6K reels, analog Dolby Stereo, and magnetic stereo, and a xenon lamp house.

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 10-17-2014, 08:36 PM:

SIMPLEX SP with Factory Stand...STRONG JR Lamphouse

Too Bad you couldn' have found one of these over the SP. Better Projector IMHO

SIMPLEX ACME NAVY PORTABLE 35MM

Posted by Robert Edwards (Member # 8541) on 10-18-2014, 04:28 AM:

Hi guys,

it looks like I came to the right place! Thank you very much for all of your responses. I guess I am not sure where to begin on restoring this guy.... The internal wiring visually looks to be fine, but I guess I'm just a little nervous to plug it in to the wall. I also am confused at which connection to use. Inside the case there seems to be some kind of power cord, I initially thought that was for the motor, but after looking at the back of the case I saw that there was an input labeled "motor input". So I'm confused as to what the power cord inside the case really does.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, what is the usual first step in assessing the situation with regards to the functionality of a projector? Sorry if these are all dumb questions, but this is my first real experience working with a 35mm projector. I've mainly stayed in the 16mm and super 8mm film gauges...

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 10-20-2014, 10:10 AM:

> what is the usual first step in assessing the situation with regards to the functionality of a projector?

Depends upon what you want to do with it. If you plan to actually run movies, I would recommend abandoning the SP. For the cost/time/effort that would be involved in restoring it, you can buy a more modern projector is gentler on film and ready to go. Further, this version of the SP is set up for 1K reels, which will hold a maximum of 10 minutes of film. If your goal is a working antique, then go for it, but you have your work cut out for you.

If it were my project, I would start with the mechanical, spinning the motor by had to verify nothing is seized and verify that none of the oiling tubes are clogged. Then I would replace any cloth and/or asbestos insulated wire, or any cracked plastic/rubber insulated wire. Then, unless you have the original external amplifier, I would replace the sound photo tube with a solar cell so that you can connect it to a modern amplifier.

Functionally, this is not much different than a 16mm projector of this vintage. Essentially you powering the motor, the picture lamp, and the exciter lamp.

Sound is handled by an external pre-amp and amplifier. The projector needs to be oiled for every few hours of operation. There are oil filler tubes all over the projector, some in none obvious spots. Remember that like most 35mm projectors, it does not rewind so you will need rewinds and a splicer.

I really can't answer any more detailed questions, as other than briefly looking at my friends projector (in the link above), I have never worked on or run one of these.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-20-2014, 12:01 PM:

quote: Steve Matz
Too Bad you couldn' have found one of these over the SP. Better Projector IMHO

I wouldn't run any of my film on either one of them. With so many projectors that are out on the market you certainly don't need to waste time with this "junk". There is much better "junk" out there!

Mark

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 10-20-2014, 12:05 PM:

The "use with slow-burning film only" tag is interesting. It implies that this machine was in mainstream use pre-1950s. I wonder what its target customer base was? Presumably screening in temporary venues, but with a reel capacity of only 1K feet, I wouldn't have thought that this would have included showing feature films, which, by the mid-1930s, were normally distributed on 2K reels. Screening rushes on location, maybe? That would also be an application for which pre-triacetate safety stocks would have worked: only played once or twice, so durability not an issue, and relatively low quantities of stock footage, so more expensive stock not really an issue.

Posted by Robert Edwards (Member # 8541) on 10-22-2014, 08:04 PM:

Mitchell, thanks very much for the overview... I'll get started on your recommendations. That is an awesome video on youtube, by the way. I wonder how long it took him to make all of those modifications.

Based on what you guys are saying, this isnt the best projector to run previous film on. So I'll keep that in mind.

John, I was wondering if it would be possible to get a copy of the manual and parts list for this projector? Or would anyone else be willing to send me a scan of the manual? Otherwise, I think I'll be outta luck. I tried looking for the manual online but didn't find anything.