8mm Forum: Revere 85 clutch issue

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Posted by Lee Hall (Member # 2636) on July 09, 2011, 04:44 PM:

A newbie, I'll admit. Just acquired a Revere 85 with working motor and bulb. however, when I attempt to engage the clutch, I get a grinding sound, obvious load on the motor, and no movement in the reel mechanism. I would like to repair the unit if possible. Could this be a lubrication issue?

I do not have an operating manual for the projector.

I have checked the gears and chain, and they appear to be OK and lubricated. But I havent' been able to gain access to the clutch mechanism.

Would appreciate any advice or guidance. I hate to scrap the projector, as I feel this must be a relatively simple issue (fingers crossed).

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on July 10, 2011, 01:20 AM:

Lee my first guess would be that it has something to do with the rewind/take up lever not being properly engaged one way or the other...I would check that first....and welcome to the hobby...The 85 is a nice machine but my guess is eventually you will want to move up to the model 90 since that can handle the 400 foot reels which are much more common than the 300footers that the 85 can handle...

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 10, 2011, 09:51 AM:

Lee,
I have a Revere 85 and the clutch is still working fine. Make sure the motor is running at full speed before engaging the clutch.
The Revere 85 is an awesome looking machine - a classic early 1950's projector, that looks great as a display piece. Which is what I use it for! [Big Grin]

But it is old technology, stuck with the inefficient and dull mains voltage lamps of its period. If I were you I would forget about using the Revere and go on ebay and pick up a Bolex 18-5 for about $75.00. The Bolex is built like a Swiss watch, has modern low voltage halogen lighting, and will totally outperform the Revere in every repect.
Good luck!

Posted by Lee Hall (Member # 2636) on July 10, 2011, 05:26 PM:

Thanks for the quick responses, folks. How do I check to see whether the rewind/take up lever is not properly engaged? I can't see a simple way to get at the clutch mechanism. I'm happy to take it apart and clean/lube/check it, but never having done it before, I want to make sure I don't do anything stupid.

Without a manual, I'm flying blind.

What's best way to get at the lever mechanism, and what should I be looking for?

Posted by Barry Fritz (Member # 1865) on July 11, 2011, 10:03 AM:

Ditto on the Bolex, but for regular 8 they only come with an incandescent lamp.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on July 11, 2011, 12:00 PM:

Lee the rewind/take up lever is on the front of the projector, if you were looking directly into the lens...

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