8mm Forum: bolex sm8 service manual/belts

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Posted by Jon Byler (Member # 3933) on October 03, 2013, 07:39 PM:

Does anyone have a service manual for one of these? Most of what needs doing seems pretty obvious, but one never knows.

I have read a bit about needing to adjust the main drive pulleys from the motor, but am not sure to what extent and whether there is special procedure for doing this. Anyone with experience doing this, please pipe up now!

Also, does anyone have specs for the belts needed? the large toothed/timing belt that goes between the spindles is in good enough shape for now, and I should be able to measure it and find a suitable replacement later if ever need one. The belt for the counter is gone, and I understand that these geared belts are no longer available, but I'm guessing a properly tensioned flat belt will work well enough. The belt that I most would like info about is the main motor belt, which someone has replaced with an o ring that looks a size or two too narrow for the job, making it too loose when on 18FPS speed.

The rest of this machine seems ok, a little dirty maybe, but that is easy to deal with.

Thanks in advance for any assistance with this!
jon

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 05, 2013, 10:01 AM:

You can buy a repair manual from Oldtimer Cameras in the UK.
http://www.oldtimercameras.com/manuals/bolex-sm-8-camera-manual-1472.asp

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on October 05, 2013, 12:42 PM:

Is the motor belt you're lookng for this ? http://transfer-lab.fr/4036-bolex-sm8

Posted by Jon Byler (Member # 3933) on October 05, 2013, 11:16 PM:

Could be. The belt on there looks a little too narrow for the job, though it works.
the adjustable pulley just looks a little bit out of adjustment, and I was looking to see if there is a specific procedure before I fiddle with it and spend a lot of time possibly doing it wrong. I much prefer to spend a little bit of time and do it right.

I'm having some troubles also with certain films not projecting well. Old home movies in got with my Elmo st800 from eBay play just fine, but others that I have get bunched up around the sound head and first roller sometimes, and the sound is very quiet. This caused a frame of film to get melted on a couple different films... I'd rather risk the dreaded Elmo scratches people talk about than have any more frames get burnt up.

It may be this projector just isn't worth the trouble to mess with. It did come with a few nice goodies, so it's not a total loss if I never use it again.

Posted by Jon Byler (Member # 3933) on October 07, 2013, 07:44 PM:

well, the problem is getting solved by the projector going back to the seller. much easier that way! I'll stick with my elmo, which hasn't killed any films yet.

The older bolex 18-5 projectors are so nice...

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 08, 2013, 02:49 AM:

A very wise move, Jon.

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