Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted May 31, 2012 11:54 PM
I just picked up a Bell & Howell Lumina MX33. It is in pristine condition and runs both R8 an S8 great...it's very quiet. I want to take a look inside to make sure everything is ok...but after removing the 5 screws on the back cover I still can't get it to come off. Does anybody have any experience with this model or a similar model and can provide some assistance in getting the back off.
The screws I have removed are circled in red.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012
posted June 01, 2012 09:19 AM
Just check underneath Jan,there might be some sort of locking screw.I sometimes wonder if there is a hidden agenda on how to make things impossible where a simple operation needs to be performed.
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 01, 2012 10:49 AM
@Maurice: There's nothing under the handle. @Joe: The small compartment is for storing an extra bulb and the S8mm adapter...a nice feature. @Hugh: Yes...I agree. I've collected over 20 projectors in the last 8 months (I guess I got a bit obsessive )... Most are very easy to get into by just removing a few screws, but a couple like this one seem overly complicated. Even access to the gate to clean it is a bit of a mystery. I do see 4 hex screws on the bottom panel...I'll unscrew them to see if that does anything.
Thanks guys...I'll let you know
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 01, 2012 01:20 PM
BINGO!! Thanks Joe Taffis you had the right area. I could feel it was holding onto something from the top, but nothing was visable. So I re-examined the little bulb compartment with a flash light and found a small screw. Removed the "secret screw" and the back came off easily.
Thanks everybody for the suggestions it helped me troubleshoot and find the solution. Here's a picture of the hidden screw and a glimpse of what the back inside of the machine looks like. It's a very clean and simple design.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012
posted June 01, 2012 02:29 PM
Well done Janice and Joe,I'm sure that you both could join the famous "Magic Circle" club for decyphering that little magic trick.
Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010
posted June 01, 2012 03:13 PM
Hi Janice
That's a great running projector. Nice and quiet. I have had a few of these in the past. I like the shape of them also. Did it come with the cover for the take up reel?
Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010
posted June 01, 2012 05:51 PM
HI Jan
If I remember correctly (as it has been a while) the front cover snaps off and you have access to the film gate. Then I think the lens just pulls out? But be careful, cause I might be wrong. As I get older I forget a lot of details.
Pat
PS I think that model didn't come with a cover even though there are slots for it. I think the MX43 and up had the smoked plastic cover.
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 01, 2012 07:29 PM
The front cover comes off easy enough. I can get a brush into the gate if I'm careful...but it's tight. There is also a small piece of heat shield glass that looks quite dirty. I can clean the side that faces the bulb... but can't get to the other side facing the gate/lens... not sure how to remove it. As far as the lens in this model...you can't just slide it out. There are a couple of fragile springs attached to the lens housing...so I don't want to mess with them until I know more. I'm hoping someone who has this projector can lend some insight.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 10, 2012 12:16 AM
Nate...Sorry getting back to you so late, but I have my son and 3 grandkids staying with me and haven't been on the forum much in past week.
I love your term "Wonky". If you mean how the film feeds into the gate? YES...but the picture seems very stable so I guess it doesn't matter. I like this projector. FYI...A guy on YouTube turned a similar model... which I also have... into a frame-by-frame telecine projector http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx4IbmrSUyY&feature=g-like.
BTW Nate....Did you get a manual with your machine?
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
posted June 11, 2012 10:41 PM
I sure did! It didn't offer too much in the way of troubleshooting though. I really only get picture instability when playing Super 8 films. The picture momentarily strays to right, exposing the sprocket holes.
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 11, 2012 10:46 PM
Nate...Sounds like you have more "wonkyness" going on then I have. Mine just feeds a little strangely, but goes through the gate ok.
Can you take some pictures or a video for use to get a better look as what is happening with your projector?
BTW. Would it be possible, Nate for you to scan the manual. I would really appreciate getting a PDF or a image file copy.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Anne Bielby
Junior Posts: 1
From: Bolingbrook, Illinois USA
Registered: Dec 2012
posted December 07, 2012 05:11 PM
Well, Janice, this post helped me too when I was trying to get the lever out that fell in when I was trying to put the springs back on.
posted December 19, 2013 09:39 AM
Janice, there is a screw down at the bottom of that compartment on back that has the arrow. I have a MX 38 and that is how the back comes off. Be sure to unwrap the cord so the cover will slip off.
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted December 19, 2013 12:43 PM
Yes...Sam...If you see the photo above I found the hidden screw in the spare lamp compartment.
By any chance have you had to replace the belt a your projector? I have yet found the secret. I have a couple of these projectors that need new belts. They have them on Ebay...but no instructions on how to install the belt
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted December 27, 2014 05:20 PM
Yes Jim...but not a traditional way. I ended up making my own belts...but wrapping silicone cording around the pulleys and joining the ends with the flame from a lighter. Getting it to fit correctly was a bit of a challenge...but it worked.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).