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Posted by David Duke (Member # 4642) on January 29, 2015, 04:36 PM:
 
Hi everyone:

I recently purchased a nice Elmo ST-1200, and it seems to work fine EXCEPT it is having some auto-threading issues (it's eating the film at the point where the film makes that first turn down into the film gate).

Do you know of anyone in the Columbus, OH, area who can service the projector?

Thanks!
David
 
Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on January 29, 2015, 05:25 PM:
 
HI DAVID LEON MIGHT BE YOUR MAN GIVE HIM A TRY.
 -
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on January 29, 2015, 05:44 PM:
 
Hey Dave,

I have to ask this:

-did you trim the leader with the built-in cutter?

(Beats having Leon ask you!)
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on January 29, 2015, 05:47 PM:
 
David, welcome to the forum! Jim has provided you with a reputable repair man within your area, but have you checked the basics on your machine.
For example; does the green threading shoe at the first sprocket lock into place as it should? Secondly,does it release as it should by pressing the black button at the rear take up spool position OR by lifting or pressing the green exit guide close to the rear take up spool? Do you have the instruction manual for the projector etc etc?

Also, Steve's point is really valid on these machines. They really only like curved trimmed film using an Elmo cutter and of course, Super 8mm film only.

I have already written the instruction manual that goes out on my death bed with my Beaulieu. Just wish the previous owner had written all of his learnings down for me!
Once you get familiar with a machine to an intimate level of understanding, almost certainly, it will behave in the manner you expect 9 times out of 10. The same philosophy applies to all kinds of machinery, whether it be a car, a projector or a Casmatic MW42 Wrapper! Lol.
 
Posted by David Duke (Member # 4642) on January 29, 2015, 06:10 PM:
 
Hi, thank you all for your help.

Yes, the film is trimmed using the provided trimmer. The green shoe goes down but does not release properly, but I've figured out a way to "pop" it back into position once I am able to get a film to go through all threading channels. The release button beneath the take-up reel does not seem to be connected.

Yes, I'm using super 8mm film :-)

Once I get a film threaded it projects fine (sound is good, too), but it take four or five attempts (and lots of chewed up leader) before I can get that to happens.

Thanks!
D
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on January 29, 2015, 06:23 PM:
 
Ok Dave, that answers a lot as clearly you are doing all you can to get your film threaded correctly.

All I will suggest at this stage is to photograph it using a basic digital camera with video facility as they all have nowadays,then someone on here who has used these machines on and off for donkeys years will be able to tell you what's going wrong if you post them the video by e mail.

They ( or me) will slow the video right down to slow motion speed and no doubt all will become apparent if you film every stage well for diagnosing.

If this fails, then send it to an expert like Leon.
 
Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on January 29, 2015, 11:05 PM:
 
Hi David,

I suggest you check the fuses. One of them is for the release of the top shoe which is electrically activated by a solenoid.

dogtor frankarnstein [Smile]
 
Posted by Vincent Zabbia (Member # 2453) on January 30, 2015, 07:24 AM:
 
If your film has the white leader issued by Kodak.. Replace it.
Elmo's don't like that thin white leader.
 
Posted by John Capazzo (Member # 157) on February 12, 2015, 09:04 PM:
 
Mr. Zabbia is correct. I was about to post the same thing. Some leaders are too thick and at the time, the machines created 40 years ago didn't have enough room behind the spring attachment behind the lens assembly and the aperture; or even when it gets to the sound and lower sprocket area.
 
Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on February 13, 2015, 06:46 AM:
 
cant say I have ever encountered that problem and we have five of these Elmos over the years [Confused]
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 13, 2015, 09:32 AM:
 
It could happen if either the green threading shoe is not going completely down into position when the threading position on the switch is turned or it isn't locking into position by the solenoid.

Also if the small green guidance piece (the part that I am convinced causes marks to the film in normal projection mode as the film slaps back and forth into it just after the top loop) is missing then this would or could cause the end of the film to bunch at the gate.

It does sound to me though, more of a top threading shoe issue than anything else.

Some photographs would be useful if you can post any just as the film begins to crumple if you can instantly take one please?
 
Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on February 13, 2015, 10:56 AM:
 
On the odd occasion the leader can be curled upward and when threaded into the green guide, even with the auto thread pushed down it will miss the spring loaded pressure plate over the film gate, and end up very badly folded and mangled in the mechanism. I try and use a blunted straight edge to curl the leader the opposite way, the same way as you curl ribbon. It will straighten enough to get past the top mech on the Elmo, if I'm in any doubt about a film not threading, I pull down the side cover and watch it threading.
 
Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 13, 2015, 03:43 PM:
 
Unlike my Eumig 938, which threads flawlessy every time, I have never felt so confident about the auto threading capability of the GS1200 that I can afford not to open the cover and visually check it. Many times I have run films thinking everything was fine, only to find the film configured into an extra large, or extra small, loop above or below the gate, and contacting something it should'nt, with resulting scratches.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 13, 2015, 06:58 PM:
 
Thats the one Paul. Never had a GS but the path is way too similar to thr rest of the Elmo family for my liking. Considering all the excellent advancements ade on these fine machines, they appeared to overlook the one most needed
 


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