8mm Forum: Help with Elmo ST1200 HD claw replacement

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Topic: Help with Elmo ST1200 HD claw replacement

Tony Stucchio
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 625
From: New Jersey
Registered: Dec 2005

posted October 02, 2009 05:51 PM

I'm about to replace a damaged claw, but am not sure how to remove the existing one and replace. I know there must be a way to remove the whole shutter/cam/claw assembly as one but I can't figure it out.

Also, how do I adjust the claw properly once in the machine?

thanks

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Tony Stucchio
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 625
From: New Jersey
Registered: Dec 2005

posted October 06, 2009 06:34 PM

I figured this would be a daunting question! Perhaps best to leave to a professional projector repairman. Frankly, I'm about to give up on Elmos altogether. I've been constantly fiddling with it for 14 years now. A scarce month after I bought it (supposedly serviced!) I had to shell out money to buy new belts (from Elmo Canada). Then I started to notice it was scratching my films (which I eventually fixed.) Last few years more and more it was getting finicky with some prints -- a few months ago I posted here about a print that still wouldn't run steady after several coatings of Film Renew, but which ran fine in a Eumig. Some films it ran perfectly. Fiddling with it about a week ago to adjust the claw, one of the points of the claw broke off. Just about every film that it had trouble with runs perfectly in my Eumig. But my Eumig has a speed problem caused by 35+ old worn rubber disks. Do I try to fix the Elmo, buy a new Elmo, try to fix the Eumig, of buy a new Eumig? Or maybe just sell the whole lot and stick with 16mm, or just go Blu-ray!!!!! Knock on wood, I bought a 16mm projector 10 years ago, and other than cleaning the film path, I've done nothing in terms of maintenance, and I've had no issues with it.

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Craig Hamilton
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 501
From: Luton
Registered: Sep 2004

posted October 07, 2009 03:47 AM

Hi Tony, here is a link to the GS1200 service manual, it should give you some idea as to how the claw assembly is constructed. It is a large PDF file so may take a few moments to download.

Service Manual

Regarding your Eumig speed problem, what model Eumig is giving you this problem.

Craig

--------------------
I dream of becoming a dealer!!!!!!
Is Perry's Movies for Sale.

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Kevin Faulkner
Film God

Posts: 4071
From: Essex UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted October 07, 2009 04:54 AM

The replacement of the claw is quite easy really. The whole optical assay is removed and then its very easy to remove the claw and replace it. The downside is adjusting it again to make sure it is going in and out of the sprocket holes correctly. You have to use a piece of film which is spot on in terms of sepecification. You cant set this all up on film which is slightly over or under slit etc as it cold cause problems on other films.

I use a piece of SMPTE super 8 test film and this has got me out of trouble the few times I have done this.
The claw can be setup before all is reassembled back into the machine.
You could as Craig says use the GS1200 manual as the procedure is much the same on all the Elmo machines where setting the claw up is concerned. Dissasembly and reassembly of the whole optical unit is where you will find differances but it is all really logical as the what needs to be removed etc.

Kev.

--------------------
GS1200 Xenon with Elmo 1.0...great combo along with a 16-CL Xenon for that super bright white light.

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Tony Stucchio
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 625
From: New Jersey
Registered: Dec 2005

posted October 07, 2009 05:57 PM

Thanks guys -- I didn't realize the manual for the GS would also apply to the ST.

My Eumig 810D is giving me the speed issues.

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Craig Hamilton
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 501
From: Luton
Registered: Sep 2004

posted October 07, 2009 07:50 PM

Tony

Remove the back from the Eumig & you will see either side if the motor are two rubber discs wheels that are driven by the motor wheel.

It is very common for these to become hard & smooth with age & reduce the friction from the drive wheel. Carefully with some very, very fine abrasive paper rub the discs to remove any glaze and lightly roughen them. You will then have to give them & the drive wheel a good clean with an alcohol cleaner solution,

While the back is off I would also examine the motor mount. This is situated right in front of you & will have a small plastic triangular bush in the middle, this is what the motor pivots on. If the bush is damaged or staring to break away, then this will give you major running & switching from forward to reverse problems. Changing the bush is not the hardest job in the world, but acquiring a new one can be a bit of a pig.

Craig

--------------------
I dream of becoming a dealer!!!!!!
Is Perry's Movies for Sale.

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Tony Stucchio
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 625
From: New Jersey
Registered: Dec 2005

posted October 08, 2009 05:43 PM

Thanks Craig, but I've been fiddling with the drive wheels for a few years now. I've cleaned them, sandpapered them, and even tried some non-slip fluid. I'll get great results for a reel or two, then it will start acting up. I've never examined the motor brush, but the motor seems to run fine -- it is the worn rubber disks that are the issue. I've used this machine almost non-stop for 35 years, and it was only a few years ago that it started acting up with this issue. Maybe there is some better solution to revitalize the rubber?

Back to the Elmo -- much easier than I thought to remove the optical unit. Only issue was removing 2 of the plastic gears and the solenoid to completely remove. You really need to remove the shutter, too, to replace the claw easily. I'm still worried about getting the adjustment of the claw right.I haven't re-assembled yet. I just know when I do that all won't be well and I'll have to re-adjust.

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Tony Stucchio
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 625
From: New Jersey
Registered: Dec 2005

posted October 10, 2009 07:01 PM

OK, the operation was successful. Thanks again for the help guys.
The machine is running like new again. Had to adjust the claw a few times, but now both problem and non-problem films are running smoothly.

One point -- I had to remove the shutter in order to replace the claw, and of course had to adjust the shutter properly per the diagram in the service manual. But the shutter does not turn completely evenly as before. In the 1200 this is driven by the rubber wheels, so I thought perhaps it would affect the speed, but it doesn't. Any idea why the shutter isn't spot-on when spinning?

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