8mm Forum: "Finding a take-up reel" or "Darn Ebay!"

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Posted by Charles Bramlett (Member # 1246) on August 20, 2008, 05:05 PM:

Hello, all!

This is my first posting on the forum, so if I do something wrong... sorry!

Anyway, my first film projector arrived in the mail today! Yay! Even better... it seems to work! It was purchased off of Ebay as I'm trying to do this on a budget. Unfortunately, in my excitement I failed to notice that the take-up reel was not shown in the pictures until after I had placed my bid. Sure enough, I opened up my projector today and there is no take-up reel in sight.

So... does anyone know how to find a new take-up reel for a Bell & Howell 357b? I'm not even certain what kind I need.

Thanks!

[ August 20, 2008, 07:51 PM: Message edited by: Charles Bramlett ]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 20, 2008, 08:38 PM:

Welcome to the forum!

Make certain of the model, as some projectors can take 400ft or 600ft take up reels, and you want to have the "right reel for the right job",

so lets keep it "reel"

Sorry guys, I couldn't resist! [Big Grin]

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 21, 2008, 05:52 AM:

Q. When is a reel not a reel?

A. When it is a spool.

Charles, you need a super 8 spool with a maximum capacity of 400'. If you can see and handle one it will have a diameter of about 7 inches.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on August 21, 2008, 05:54 AM:

Welcome Charles, I might have a pick-up reel (400') to send - My specialty is shorts, as you can plainly take note of in the nickname - Stay in touch, Shorty

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 21, 2008, 03:49 PM:

Not bad Maurice!

I love reels so much some people call a ...

Dare I say it?

SPIN DOCTOR!!!

Let's hear it for the master of the "groaners"!!

[Big Grin]

Posted by Charles Bramlett (Member # 1246) on August 21, 2008, 04:08 PM:

Joe (Shorty), that would be great. How much would you want for it?

Maurice, are the super 8 spools interchangeable or are they custom designed for each make/model? I was afraid that I would need to track down a specific reel/spool/whatever to fit my B&H357b.

Oh, and thanks for the welcome, Osi... I'm reel-y excited to be here! [Big Grin]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 21, 2008, 08:20 PM:

My son, my pupil!

Already getting into the swing of this thing!

The master is pleased!

We really are a jolly bunch!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 22, 2008, 02:44 AM:

Charles

Yes. Any Super 8 spool will fit any Super 8 projector.

However, having said that, beware that a lot of projectors only accept spools with a nominal capacity of up to 600'. Some cheap projectors will only take 400' spools.

There are spools available in larger sizes but will only fit on models that have longer spool arms.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on August 22, 2008, 07:51 AM:

There are also reels (spools) designed specifically to be used as takeup reels (spools) on autothread projectors. They have flexible "fingers" that intrude slightly inside the film area to grab the leader and hold it while it wraps around and then pulls to the center (centre).

(-so much for multiculturalism!)

A standard reel won't grab the film and you will be stuck to stop, slot the leader and start up. This isn't too great because the leader will bend a little and not want to pass through the machine smoothly the next time around, so every time you project a film you'll need to trim the leader.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on August 22, 2008, 04:15 PM:

Wow, that's scary -- that's the projector I grew up with and scratched all my films with. Beware, Charles. Keep the gate clean, make sure the springs don't put too much pressure on the film, and test carefully with something that isn't irreplacable. Mine is so worn that it can no longer hold a steady picture due to wear on the oblong wheel that controls the claw motion.

I still have the original B&H 400' takeup, which is a durable metal reel that uses teeth on the hub to complete the autothreading feature. I'd give you mine, but nostalgia prevents me! But by now you know any 400' reel will do.

If you raise the arm to "float" above the click position, you can get a 600' (8-inch) reel to work. The supply reel can definitly be 600', though this projector isn't spec'd for it.

Posted by Charles Bramlett (Member # 1246) on August 22, 2008, 07:37 PM:

Gee, Bill... thanks for the burst of sunshine. Hehe, jk. [Wink]

I wasn't under any illusion that this would be a high-end machine. I just needed something cheap to get me started while I squirrel away enough nickels to buy something nicer. I'm not planning on running anything irreplaceable or expensive through it.

Useful advice, all.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 23, 2008, 01:52 PM:

One thing you can do to help your projector run more smoothly, is use some furniture polish (no joke), put it on some form of cloth, and polish the whole film path through the projector.

Even on lower quality projectors, it can help them not scrtch as badly or at all. [Smile]

Posted by Charles Bramlett (Member # 1246) on August 23, 2008, 02:03 PM:

^ That's excellent advice, thank you. I'll do that today. Should I also lubricate the spindles (or any other parts)? If so, what type of lubrication should be used?

Oh, and I found a reel. So, here's hoping that this one one will do what I need it to do.

[ August 23, 2008, 03:24 PM: Message edited by: Charles Bramlett ]

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 23, 2008, 03:09 PM:

Your spool looks perfect, and it's an auto threader.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on August 24, 2008, 04:08 PM:

Happy to spread that sunshine, Charles! [Wink]

You don't need to lube anything else unless you're inclined to start fussing inside with cleaning and re-lubing. The main thing is to keep anyting that touches the film clean and slick!

And I agree with Maurice, of course -- in fact, that reel is about as close to the B&H original as you're going to ever find, very cool.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 24, 2008, 08:29 PM:

I disagree Bill, (respectfully), any film projector can't help but operate better by a lubrication of it's film path. The wheels and such shouldn't need such, unless they somehow became nicked over time and are in a section of the projector where the film tugged roughly upon the wheels.

The type of projector varies in quality (as any number of other forum members can verify) and in scratching tendecies, (like the recent GAF projector discussions), but I feel that anything that will allow the film to go through smoothly, whether it's using a film cleaner that has a wax base to coat the film or coating the film path of the projector yourself, in the long run, you will thank yourself as you see that your precious film prints last longer with less wear.

Posted by Charles Bramlett (Member # 1246) on August 24, 2008, 10:10 PM:

What is the recommended method for cleaning the film... and how frequently?

Wow, I have a lot to learn.

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