This is topic manley poppers in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Phil Radosevich (Member # 508) on 10-28-2002, 09:49 AM:
I have an old Manley Popper That I want to fix. Does anyone know where to get parts for them
Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 10-28-2002, 11:03 PM:
I wouldn't know where to find parts for those things but we had one at our drive in years ago and that thing would make some popcorn. Those things I think were the cadilacs of the popper world back then.
One day I hope to obtain one myself.------------------
Samual Hunter Sr.
KC5ZSL
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 10-29-2002, 12:11 AM:
In all my travels in the theatres, I only saw two of them. One was at Shelton, WA, (our theatre)(the popcorn machine was sold a couple of years ago) and the other was at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo, North Dakota where it sits proudly on display. Those machines looked like they were built like a T-REX!
Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-29-2002, 01:10 PM:
We had one. It was over 40 years old when we finally retired it, unable to get parts. I donated it to a school, where last I heard it is still in use (when they need something for it, they get the shop class to fabricate it!)
Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 11-01-2002, 10:19 PM:
Could you show us a picture of your treasure?------------------
Samual Hunter Sr.
KC5ZSL
Posted by Rick Meister (Member # 689) on 11-01-2002, 11:36 PM:
Hi everyone. been wondering if it would be possible to just mount a new kettle ,kettle brackets motor etc and keep the manly cabinet. I would think it would cut the cost down alot for us less aflluent theaters? what do u think? and where would a guy go to get it?
Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 11-01-2002, 11:42 PM:
i know you can still get most Cretors parts ( they still support our 54 yr old one). Maybe you could mount them into your Manley.
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 11-01-2002, 11:49 PM:
I understand that both Cretors and Gold Medal make a kettle conversion kit that allows you to install Cretors and Gold Medal kettles in your old Manley popper.
Posted by Phil Radosevich (Member # 508) on 11-02-2002, 08:24 AM:
The main thing wrong with the popper is a gear that turns the kettle. There are a few plactic peices broken. I had to rewire it about 5 years every thing else works well Its an old model 1 I think it came on the ark. I took it out of service 2 years ago it popped like crazy. Ill try to get a picture of it posted.
Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 11-02-2002, 08:53 AM:
If its just a gear, try taking it to an auto parts store or a machine shop to find a replacement. It is a long shot, but worth a try.
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 11-02-2002, 09:12 AM:
The large brass gear is a frequent failure item. If that's the one you need, let me look around. We used to have several Manleys and I may be able to find you one of those gears.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 11-02-2002, 12:31 PM:
There used to be a company called "The Boston Gear Company" in Seattle. If that company is still in existance, provide them with a sample and they could probably make one. They made a couple of gears for us that were needed for the Weber Synchrofilm Soundhead about 28 years ago.I am sure other gear companies exist, but I am equally sure they would be very pricey.
Posted by Rick Meister (Member # 689) on 11-02-2002, 04:08 PM:
there is a guy and Lyle Turner I have his number somewhre that has parts or at least some parts for these machines. He wanted I am thinking $ 70.00 for a set of gears. I went to a shop and they ordered them for me . they cost $ 7.00 each. the gears can be gotten. also some of the fingers will unscrew and the spring can be replaced in them to work. I have yet to figue out what it is that is in the front of the fingers to make ontact on the kettle kinda looks like carbon from the old carbon arc machines. anyway it sill pulloff or wear out and needs to be replaced. if anyone knows about this please let me know
Posted by Phil Radosevich (Member # 508) on 11-02-2002, 05:08 PM:
Ken It is the big brass gear Its about 2 1/4 inch with a 1/4 hole
Rick Lyle Turner is the guy I bought some of the kettle brushes you were talking about they connect the pwoer to the kettle But untill you said it I couldn't remember it thanks If you would so kind to send me the info you talking about
Posted by Rick Meister (Member # 689) on 11-02-2002, 08:28 PM:
Hi Philthat number is 214 522-0990
that is a really old number I haven't called him in a long long time.
if it doesn't work let me know please so I can delete it too
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 11-02-2002, 08:44 PM:
The main things that fail on Manleys are:Pressure Fingers
Slip Rings
Heating elements
Thermostats
Brass gears
Oh, and occassionally the machines catch fire!
Posted by Phil Radosevich (Member # 508) on 11-02-2002, 09:13 PM:
Ken Thats the reason I had to trwire one night just befor the show started poof flash fire was not fun thank god we wernt busy
Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 11-02-2002, 09:41 PM:
quote:
Oh, and occassionally the machines catch fire!
Well if you're going to get stuck popping corn it might as well be interesting. 
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 11-02-2002, 10:15 PM:
Phil:Contact me by email (KLayton888@aol.com) as I may have found you the gear.